Image: Alex Gobert (Foremost Media).

Reigning Australian Supersport Champion Brayden Elliott had the expertise of longtime Team Suzuki boss Phil Tainton in his corner at last weekend’s Utah round of the MotoAmerica Superbike Championship.

Elliott made his second US appearance of the year with ADR Motorsports, this time aboard a familiar GSX-R1000, and benefited from having Australian crew chief Tainton by his side as he embarks on an extended international challenge.

“I am very grateful to have Phil Tainton make the journey over and provide his help and advice in every area on and off the track,” Elliott explained. “Phil’s knowledge and years of experience continued to help me feel comfortable and allowed me to adapt to the bike and track making huge improvement’s as the weekend progressed.

“I can’t thank my family and Phil enough for the dedication and commitment to make this happen and very much appreciate the effort everyone has gone too. It was great to be racing the ADR Motorsports prepared Suzuki GSX-R 1000, which made me feel right at home.”

The weekend saw Elliott cross the finish line 15th in the opening encounter, before improving to 13th overall during race two in the combined Superbike/Superstock 1000 field. It was more vital race experience for the ASBK premier class rookie.

“Overall I am happy with my efforts at round seven of MotoAmerica at the Utah Motorsports Complex,” he added. “I fought extremely hard in both races to finish 15th and 13th in the very competitive field. I certainly think having the opportunity to race at this level will continue to help me grow and improve as a racer also continuing to learn more and more at every event.

“I’m happy with my consistency and speed during what was the longest races I have endured, I’m also thankful that my efforts in training paid off allowing me to keep pushing mentally and physically in the extreme Utah heat. Racing internationally certainly has its difficulties, but I am pleased with my efforts and improvements, adapting to every challenge.

“Now we have a meeting under our belt, I am feeling confident heading to Laguna Seca for round eight where we can continue building and pushing forward from where we finished on a positive note at Utah. I have always wanted to race at Laguna Seca and can’t wait to be learning a new circuit and once again be working with the ADR Motorsports Team.”

Elliott’s Laguna Seca showing will take place on 8-10 July in Northern California, on the same weekend as World Superbike in the US. Round five of the ASBK is scheduled for Morgan Park on 5-7 August.