Waters strikes first ASBK blow

Team Suzuki’s Josh Waters has landed the first blow in the battle for the 2012 Australian Superbike Championship (ASBK), recording impressive 1-2 results at a blistering hot Phillip Island on February 26.

The 2009 ASBK champion converted his pole position into a race one victory before finishing second behind Team Honda Racing’s Wayne Maxwell in race two.

“The first race was great as I was able to get a good start and break away,” said Waters. “I was really happy with that and the 2012 model GSX-R1000 was faultless. In race two the heat was extreme. I tried and couldn’t quite get away, so I let the guys past and then near the end of the race I tried again. I got caught up a little bit and couldn’t quite get it done.

“It was a great way to start the championship and get the ball rolling with the overall victory. The bike was really good, similar in a lot of ways to the old bike, but the engine is just really strong and I have a lot of confidence in the handling already. Hopefully we can carry this momentum into Darwin.”

The first 14-lap race on Sunday morning was shaping as battle royal between Waters and Maxwell before the latter’s race was ruined by a holed radiator.

In searing track and ambient temperatures, Waters won by a comfortable 7.424-second margin from reigning Champion Glenn Allerton (Procon Maxima BMW) with new Team Suzuki rider Ben Attard in third ahead of Jamie Stauffer (Team Honda Racing) and Robbie Bugden (Team Volvo Group Suzuki).

In race two, Maxwell seized the in initiative early and claimed a narrow win from Waters, Stauffer, Bugden and Allerton.

In the Prostock class running in conjunction with Superbike, 18-year-old Nicholas Waters (Gas Honda Racing) made the perfect start, winning round one ahead of Matthew Walters (Rover Coaches Kawasaki) and Chas Hern (Pope Building Service Suzuki).

Young gun Josh Hook had an Australian Supersport Championship debut to remember, claiming the round win in his first outing for Team Honda Racing.

Hook edged out Mitchell Carr (Aark Racing Triumph) by a half point for the round win with Team Suzuki’s Brodie Waters third.

Daniel Falzon (YRD Yamaha) was the best in the Superstock 600 season-opener, finishing ahead of Adrian Di Giandomenico (Stafford Motorcycles Yamaha) and James Beck (Evermil Steel Fabrications Yamaha).

But a pall was cast over the paddock on Saturday when 17-year-old Oscar McIntyre lost his life in the opening Supersport/Superstock 600 race.
Shawn Giles (Suzuki Katana) won the historic race, setting a new lap record in the process, and Luke Burgess (Kawasaki Ninja) the 250cc Production race.

For full results, visit www.computime.com.au.