The QBE Australian Superbike Championship welcomed two more names to the 2012 winner’s circle at Queensland Raceway today.
Privateer racer Scott Charlton took a popular privateer victory in Race 1, while Jamie Stauffer returned to form to claim Race 2 above up to third in the outright championship standings.
It was an eventful day for the championship, with a damp but drying track creating set-up headaches for riders as they lined up for the opening 17-lap race.
From seventh on the grid, Racer’s Edge Suzuki rider Charlton took the ultimate gamble, pitting following the warm-up lap to swap to his second bike and a dry setup with slick tyres.
Factory Suzuki riders Ben Attard and Josh Waters were in command early, with the points leader stretching his legs to build what would appear to be a comfortable gap.
However, the counter-strategy of Charlton proved to be a master stroke and one that saw him pick off rider after rider with relative ease.
By Lap 7, Charlton had taken the lead, and greeted the chequered flag close to 24 seconds clear of Waters who was battling on worn wet rubber.
“I went out there on the wet bike in the warm-up lap and there were a few dry lines,” said Charlton.
“We were going to leave the dry bike in the shed but the team looked at the radar and said there was no more rain coming so we brought it into the pit lane in case.
“Six or seven laps in I could see the rubber was coming off the wets of the leaders and I knew I’d made the right choice
“I can’t believe it actually, it’s a real confidence booster for me and such a great reward for the team who were spot on with the strategy and setup.”
Jamie Stauffer made forward progress from grid position six to claim the final podium placing.
Midday sun saw the track dry out and a hectic pace set from the outset of Race 2, with the lead changing between pole-sitter Robbie Bugden and fellow Suzuki rider Attard in the early stages.
Stauffer made his move to the front on Lap 2, clearly confident with his Honda’s settings in the dry, and maintained the advantage for the remaining 15 laps as the scrap for the minor podium placings played out behind him.
He crossed the line 4.8s clear of defending champion Allerton and Bugden who recovered from a problematic opening race.
Stauffer was relieved to get his first win of the season and hoped he had put his struggles on the bike behind him.
“I haven’t had a good season and today was a good confidence booster,” said Stauffer.
“We made a big change last night that worked pretty well in this morning’s conditions, and then we kept the same kind of setup for the dry race which I was really comfortable with.
“I was able to control the race and keep a lead which was good, it shows we’re making progress with the bike.
“We didn’t get much dry running here but when we come back in September I definitely think everyone will be quick and the lap record will be easily broken.”
Title contender Wayne Maxwell circulated a lap down in the second race to collect points after his charge was slowed with a brake problem on Lap 8.
While title rival Waters didn’t enjoy his best run of results, he was still able to increase his points advantage and now leads by 30.5 points with two rounds remaining.
Chas Hern led home the field in the Honda Prostock Championship taking the round win ahead of Linden Magee and Ben Nicolson.
A series of crashes cut short a dramatic day of racing in the Motul Australian Supersport Championship, with Brodie Waters emerging the victor despite crashing out of the second race.
Daniel Falzon won a closely-contested Suzuki Superstock weekend ahead of local riders Callum Spriggs and Brad Gross.
Bargain Bike Gear 250 Production spoils went to Luke Burgess ahead of pint-sized Olly Simpson and local favourite Zac Levy.
Lachlan Hill emerged as Dunlop Superlites winner, with cross-entered Olly Simpson coming up trumps in the Akrapovic Moto 3 Championship.
Ben Nicolson backed up from Prostock duties to take Akrapovic Supermoto S2 class honours, with Dave Oliver winning the S1 class.
The QBE Australian Superbike Championships resume at Phillip Island on August 17, the penultimate event on the 7-round calendar.
QBE Australian Superbike Championship points
1. J Waters (Suzuki) 207.5
2. W Maxwell (Honda) 177
3. J Stauffer (Honda) 164.5
4. G Allerton (BMW) 164
5. R Bugden (Suzuki) 150
6. B Attard (Suzuki) 148.5
7. B Henry (Suzuki) 134.5
8. S Charlton (Suzuki) 129
9. B Waters (Suzuki) 45
10. C Trounson (BMW) 26
