News 9 Feb 2016

Stauffer leads day one of Phillip Island ASBK testing

Teams on track ahead of this month's opening round.

Image: Russell Colvin.

Image: Russell Colvin.

Australian Superbike testing commenced at Phillip Island on Monday with Crankt Protein Honda Racing’s Jamie Stauffer the pace-setter ahead of today’s second and final day.

Around 30 riders were on track across the Superbike and Supersport categories, with two-time ASBK champion Stauffer’s official 1m33.546s laptime the quickest overall.

“I am getting used to being back on a bike again, just trying to get back into the swing of things,” Stauffer said. “I think the bike is pretty good for the first round in a couple of weeks time. We just have to keep getting out there and doing laps, hopefully moving forward.”

It was an impressive first official appearance by reigning national champion Mike Jones on the DesmoSport Ducati, setting a 1m33.738s in the final session of the day. He will compete as a WorldSBK wildcard during the 26-28 February race weekend.

“The conditions here at Phillip Island today are really good,” Jones said. “I think that the circuit isn’t quite so quick today. In terms of set-up, we are making good progress and I think we are moving in the right direction. I’m starting to get a lot more comfortable on the Ducati, particularly with the more laps I spend in the seat.”

WorldSBK regular Josh Hook got his first taste of a Kawasaki ZX-10R at Phillip Island, quickly up to speed to lap third overall with a 1m34.124s. The top five was completed by Robbie Bugden on the SA Kawasaki BCperformance entry, following by Honda’s Australasian champion Troy Herfoss.

New Cube Racing Kawasaki signing Callum Spriggs topped the Supersport test times, his 1m37.928s on the ZX-6R placing him ahead of Mark Chiodo and Ted Collins at the conclusion of day one.

2016 Australian Superbike test
Phillip Island, VIC

Monday Group One results:
1. Callum SPRIGGS 1m37.928s
2. Mark CHIODO 1m38.256s
3. Ted COLLINS 1m38.785s
4. Phil CZAJ 1m38.838s
5. Phil LOVETT 1m38.959s
6. Mitch LEVY 1m39.270s
7. Kyle BUCKLEY 1m39.881s
8. Kane BURNS 1m40.027s
9. Evan BYLES 1m40.132s
10. Lachlan EPIS 1m40.169s
11. Josh HOOK 1m40.286s
12. Ben WHITE 1m43.147s
13. Robbie MENZIES 1m43.219s
14. Ryan MASRI 1m43.899s

Monday Group Two results:
1. Jamie STAUFFER 1m33.546s
2. Mike JONES 1m33.738s
3. Josh HOOK 1m34.124s
4. Robbie BUGDEN 1m34.168s
5. Troy HERFOSS 1m34.196s
6. Daniel FALZON 1m34.229s
7. Michael BLAIR 1m34.874s
8. Jed METCHER 1m34.885s
9. Bryan STARING 1m34.954s
10. Ben BURKE 1m34.977s
11. Matt WALTERS 1m35.130s
12. Sloan FROST 1m36.184s
13. Mathew HARDING 1m36.746s
14. John HUNT 1m36.765s
15. Adam CHRISTIE 1m37.894s
16. Ryan HAMPTON 1m39.296s
17. Evan BYLES 1m40.043s

Click here for detailed results

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