Team Suzuki Takes 1-2 Finish In Australian Endurance Championship

06/12/2011

RACE REPORT
2011 Phillip Island 8 Hour, Australian Endurance Championship
Phillip Island (VIC)
2-4 December 2011

Team Suzuki has taken out a glorious 1-2 finish in the Phillip Island 8 Hour, Australian Endurance Championship, on 2-4 December at the world famous Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit in Victoria.

Suzuki’s Superbike team of Josh Waters, Troy Herfoss and Robbie Bugden claimed the outright and class honours aboard the Phil Tainton Racing-prepared GSX-R1000, completing a total of 279 laps/1241 kilometres in a race time of 8h00:06.846sec.

Coming in five laps behind them and second outright for the event was Suzuki’s Supersport effort of Brodie Waters, Ben Attard and Mitchell Carr. The Supersport class winners finished just five laps in arrears after eight hours of action aboard the GSX-R600.

Team Suzuki’s assault proved flawless across the weekend, with both teams taking out their respective category pole positions on Saturday in the Super Qualifying sessions.

Josh Waters was top Superbike and outright qualifier with a 1:33.164sec, while younger brother Brodie set the pace for the Supersport class with a 1:36.285sec, which was good enough for fourth outright.

Team Suzuki dominated Sunday’s endurance event from the outset, with Waters leading the field away in the prestigious ‘Le Mans’ style start. From there it was a team effort between Waters, Herfoss, Bugden and the pit crew to lead the race’s entirety to the chequered flag.

Waters claimed the fastest lap of the race on lap 154, posting a 1:34.805sec to confirm both the speed and the reliability of the Suzuki GSX-R1000 in competition trim.

“My teammates were fantastic and we worked really well together,” Waters explained. “Everybody put in 100 percent and it was a great way to wrap up the 2011 season. It was good fun working with the other riders and I was lucky that I had teammates on my side who are fast and consistent.

“My experience in the Suzuka 8 Hours this year in Japan with Yoshimura Suzuki played a big part in my preparation for the race and I really enjoy endurance racing. It was definitely an advantage for me and I’m proud to win along with Team Suzuki.”

Team Suzuki’s Supersport class victory was highlighted as the team raced to second outright behind their teammates, with Brodie Waters, Attard and Carr sharing the duties to hand Suzuki’s factory effort a 1-2 finish Outright.

“We had a great weekend and I felt comfortable working alongside both Mitch and Ben on the team,” Brodie Waters commented. “We pushed hard at the start and then settled into a rhythm, which is important in endurance racing. It is a great reward to win the Supersport class for Suzuki and go 1-2 Outright.”

Suzuki competitors filled the top four positions in the race, with the Cube Racing team of Bryan Staring, Ben Henry and Nicholas Waters completing the outright podium as the second Superbike home. The trio of Trent Gibson, Greg Epis and Jay Layman won the Superstock 1000 category aboard another GSX-R1000 in fourth overall.

Team Suzuki manager Phil Tainton said it was a great performance by the entire team in what was a hard-fought race. He congratulated both the riders and pit crew for maintaining focus and sealing Suzuki the national endurance title for the season.

“We had extra crew in the team over the weekend, as well as some new riders, but everything gelled so well,” Tainton said. “We were really happy with the whole team, because in endurance racing it’s more of a team sport than at the regular sprint races.

“Josh is certainly back to his best after his accident last year and was again exceptionally impressive, plus both Troy and Robbie were flawless all weekend as well. Brodie again was riding the best I’ve seen him ride, and both Ben and Mitch worked well alongside him with limited time on our bike.

“It was a great finish to a great year, so we are thankful for the Dunlop Tyres and also Motul Oil for keeping the engine running, as well as of course the riders and crew for making it all happen. It was a great weekend for Team Suzuki.”

The team will return to action early in 2012, when next year’s Australian Superbike Championship commences at Phillip Island in Victoria alongside the World Superbikes on 24-26 February.

2011 Australian Endurance Championship
Phillip Island 8 Hour (VIC)

Outright Race and Championship Results:
1. Team Suzuki (Josh Waters/Troy Herfoss/Robbie Bugden), Suzuki
GSX-R1000, 279 laps
2. Team Suzuki (Brodie Waters/Mitchell Carr/Ben Attard), Suzuki GSX-R600,
+5 laps
3. Cube Racing (Ben Henry/ Bryan Staring/Nicholas Waters), Suzuki
GSX-R1000, +9 laps
4. Bridgestone Endurance (Trent Gibson/Greg Epis/Jay Layman), Suzuki
GSX-R1000, +15 laps
5. WNR Kawasaki (Glenn Scott/Jed Metcher/Alex Cudlin), +17 laps

About SUZUKI

Formed as a weaving loom manufacturer in 1909, Suzuki Motor Corporation of Japan started producing motorcycles in 1952.

Suzuki is an established brand in the Australian market, as the third-highest selling motorcycle brand.

For further information on Suzuki products, interested customers should visit their local Suzuki dealer, who can be found through the Dealer Locator.