Paul Free described Team Honda’s weekend in Darwin as “outstanding”. Image: Toby Lynch.

Team Honda Racing principal Paul Free is pleased with the factory outfit’s efforts to turn around a lean run of results at Hidden Valley, a circuit he admits has not been a “happy hunting ground” in seasons past.

Senior rider Jamie Stauffer broke through for a win in race two, his and the team’s first for what has been a challenging season to date.

Stauffer also managed a new lap record en route to the win, a sign that shows the strength of both the bike and its rider, according to Free.

“This was a terrific weekend for Team Honda Racing after a massive amount of hard work by the whole team and it paid off for us with a race win in race two and the overall round six win for Jamie,” said Free.

“It was fantastic to see Jamie set a new lap record in race two. It shows the strength of both the Honda CBR1000RR and the rider.

“We’ve made some massive steps forward this weekend which I am really pleased and proud to say as the team has worked so hard this year and we have just not quite been there so to finish with the round six win and a new lap record is terrific.”

Free heaped praise upon rookie rider Josh Hook, who battled on despite receiving jump start penalties in both races.

He took another strong podium in race one and a fighting fourth for race two to place fourth overall for the round.

“Young Josh had a fantastic ride [on Sunday] also; he raced very well in both races,” continued Free. “I just can’t say enough about that young rider; he is doing an outstanding job.

“It was awesome to see Josh have a good go in race two, he really pushed hard and did overtake Robbie Bugden on that last lap, however it was under a yellow flag so Josh took fourth place for the race.

“I couldn’t be more proud of him. For some reason Josh got a jump start penalty in both races so we will debrief on that and see what he may be doing off the start so that it doesn’t happen again.”

Free remarked that the results were a solid reward for the work that the team – riders and crew – has turned in to improve their early season slump.

“It really was an outstanding weekend for Team Honda Racing. In the past it has not been a happy hunting ground for us and I’m pretty happy to say we turned that right around.”

Stauffer and Hook hold down fourth and fifth on the standings with a round remaining, with both riders in with a shot at making the top three.