News 6 Mar 2011

Allerton and Casella star on Symmons Plains ASBK race day

Maxwell, winner Allerton, and Waters made up the Superbike podium at Symmons Plains. Image: TBG Sport/Andrew Gosling.

Maxwell, winner Allerton, and Waters made up the Superbike podium at Symmons Plains. Image: TBG Sport/Andrew Gosling.

Procon Maxima BMW Racing’s Glenn Allerton has extended his Viking Group Australian Superbike Championship points lead with a dominant race two win to seal the overall at Symmons Plains this afternoon.

Hindered by a brake problem in this morning’s race that saw him settle for third, the 2008 Australian Superbike Champion bounced back in style in the second 20-lap stoush, winning by a 1.444-second margin over Team Honda Racing’s Wayne Maxwell.

Maxwell took the lead from pole and controlled the race until mid-distance when Allerton pounced, the power of the BMW S 1000 RR only too apparent on the back straight sweeper, the fastest corner in Australian motorsport at over 270km/h.

Today’s result also marks Allerton’s third round win in a row. He won here in November last year before switching manufacturers and dominating last week’s Phillip Island opener.

The Sydney-sider said he was determined to make amends for this morning’s race where he felt a win went begging.

“I felt really comfortable on the bike today,” said Allerton. “The problem with the front brake in race one cost me a chance to attack and I knew I had to make it up this afternoon.

“We pulled together as a team and got it done, thanks to everyone involved for a huge effort this weekend.

“We’ll look to Darwin now and try a few more things to develop the bike further. There’s more progress to be made and I can’t wait to get to Hidden Valley and try to work on building my championship lead further.”

Allerton leads the championship on 93 points, 23 ahead of Team Suzuki’s Troy Herfoss who finished fifth overall this weekend.

Second place for the round went to race one winner, Team Suzuki’s Josh Waters.

Waters was unable to match the pace of Allerton and the Team Honda duo of Maxwell and Jamie Stauffer this afternoon and has already set his sights on Hidden Valley, a track he dominated at last year.

“I was really happy with the race one result but today I didn’t quite have enough for the leaders in race two,” said Waters.

“It’s good to get a win on the board. Hopefully I can add a few more when we go back to Darwin in a few weeks.”

Maxwell finished third today, adding a valuable 41 points to his tally. The top three were separated by a point each at the conclusion of a thrilling day of racing.

Stauffer was a consistent fourth overall as he continues to progress with the Fireblade alongside Maxwell.

Triumph's Christan Casella converted his pole position to victory in Supersport. Image: TBG Sport/Andrew Gosling.

Triumph's Christan Casella converted his pole position to victory in Supersport. Image: TBG Sport/Andrew Gosling.

Spectators were treated to a second incredible QBE Supersport race this afternoon, with Team Suzuki’s Brodie Waters emerging the victor, a result that could have gone to any one of the five lead riders.

Eager to make amends after this morning’s mishap, Sunstate Racing’s Nick Waters took the early advantage but soon found himself under fire from four more evenly-matched machines.

The lead changed almost every lap as riders dared to dive further and further under brakes in the final complex of corners.

AARK Racing pole-sitter Christian Casella and the Yamaha Racing Team’s Kevin Curtain had their time at the front but Brodie Waters prevailed with an advantage of just 0.059 seconds.

Waters, who limped to ninth after crashing into brother Nick in the opening 20-lap dash, praised his team for providing such a competitive race bike.

“I knew I had to make up for this morning’s mistake and the team put everything they had behind me,” said Waters. “It’s a good end to the day and a good way to thank them for their effort.”

It was a triumphant weekend for Casella, who won the opening race, the round, and takes a one-point lead in the championship.

“It was a pretty hectic race,” said Casella. “There’s some big braking areas around this track and everyone was having a big go, it was a bit like the Superbike race, a real flip of the coin as to who’s going to get there in the end.

“To be honest I’m pretty happy to be still sitting on the bike after that one, it was pretty crazy!

“Thanks to AARK Racing, they’ve given me a good bike to ride in the Triumph and we’ve really turned around our championship this weekend.”

Rounding out the overall podium after teammate Curtain crashed in a final lap incident with Nick Waters was Rick Olson, the YRT rider scoring his first national Supersport podium.

Round one winner Aaron Gobert was sixth overall for Gobert Motorsports, now sitting third in the series just six points behind Casella and five behind Brodie Waters.

Cru Halliday rode his Yamaha R1 to two Prostock race victories today and, combined with his pole position and race one win yesterday, leaves Symmons Plains with maximum points.

Matthew Walters edged out Linden Magee by a single point today to claim second for the round.

Brett Simmonds was the highest finishing Tasmanian rider this weekend, placing fourth overall in the competitive Prostock category.

Mike Jones’ perfect points haul continued this weekend, with the Yamaha rider securing pole and three race wins from as many starts in the Suzuki Superstock class.

Mirroring his round win from Phillip Island last weekend, he now has a substantial lead in the series, 34 points clear of Mark Wilkinson in second.

Zack Thackeray rounded out the top three in the class today, with this weekend’s results reflecting the top three in the championship.

The Motul Superlites class saw Josh Hook also in fine form, dominating races two and three today to take maximum points and a clear round win over Nicky Diles and Alex Phillis.

Hook leads fellow Aprilia rider Diles by 16 points heading into round two.

The next round of the Viking Group Australian Superbike Championships will be held at Darwin’s Hidden Valley Raceway from 14-17 April.

2011 Viking Group Australian Superbike Championship
Round Two – Symmons Plains, VIC

Superbike Overall Round Results:
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Superbike Championship Results:
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Supersport Overall Round Results:
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Supersport Championship Results:
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