Stauffer leads 2014 ASC

The long-awaited start to the 2014 Swann Insurance Australasian Superbike Championship – a series finally bringing together Australia’s best road racers under one umbrella -- has been held in Wakefield Park (NSW), with Team Honda’s Jamie Stauffer claiming overall honours on his CBR1000RR SP.

Stauffer recorded 3-1-2 results across the three races to bank 67pts, ahead of BMW’s Glenn Allerton (1-3-3, 65pts) and reigning Australian superbike champion Wayne Maxwell (Honda, 6-2-1, 62pts). Privateer Sean Condon (Kawasaki, 2-4-6, 55pts) and Troy Herfoss (5-5-4, 50) – subbing for the injured Josh Hook at Team Honda – saw out the top five.

“We had a really strong weekend to start the season and I am obviously really happy to take the overall win and the championship lead,” said Stauffer.

“The Honda CBR1000RR SP is a great package and I felt strong through the weekend to push hard. I would like to thank the team for all their effort and I am looking forward to round two. It is just the beginning of the season so we will see what unfolds, but we are certainly off to a good start.”

While the likes of Honda and BMW started the ASC in promising fashion, the four-pronged Yamaha factory team failed to ignite, which was a massive surprise. Rick Olson was the most successful of the Yamaha quartet in seventh overall, ahead of Cru Halliday in ninth, Kevin Curtain in 12th and Robbie Budgen in 17th.

But Yamaha’s lethargic championship start provided opportunities for some more highly credentialed privateers to shine, including Glenn Scott (Honda) in sixth, Dustin Goldsmith (Kawasaki) in eighth and Albury’s Chris Seaton (Aprilia ) in 10th.

In the other major classes, Callum Spriggs (Yamaha) came out on top in supersport, and Scott in Formula Oz.

Round two of the ASC will be held at Mallala (SA) from May 16-18.