Jamie Stauffer hopes to be in the thick of the action at the MotoGP event for Honda. Image: Keith Muir.

Team Honda Racing is aiming to finish season 2013 on a high at next weekend’s Tissot Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix, following a lacklustre Australian Superbike Championship campaign.

Jamie Stauffer and Josh Hook rode the team’s CBR1000RRs to respectable fourth and fifth positions in the ASBK standings, however injuries and a haul of bad luck during the season halted any major championship challenge for the Melbourne-based team.

The highlight was a single overall victory for Stauffer in Darwin, while Hook starred with a breakthrough podium in his rookie season at Queensland Raceway in race two.

“We did not have a successful campaign this year,” team principle Paul Free admitted. “For one reason and another, ultimately it was not our year. I am very proud of the entire team for all the hours spent and the riders for giving it their all.

“We would like to give our thanks to Honda Australia and all our team partners for everything they do to support the team. We now move towards the 2013 Tissot Australian MotoGP at Phillip Island in a couple of weeks.

“Although not part of the championship, the MotoGP is a very valuable event and we are extremely focused on winning the races in the support category. After the MotoGP plans for our 2014 ASBK campaign will be in full swing.

“There is much to do and although the on track season is winding down the team will remain hard at work to ensure our title assault next year is a success.”

Stauffer was frustrated with injuries sustained in the lead-up to Queensland Raceway, but looks forward to the MotoGP support races.

“This year wasn’t as successful as I hoped going in of course and being injured early on definitely didn’t help, but that’s racing sometimes,” Stauffer said. “We had a bit of a difficult season regardless with a little bad luck here and there and just didn’t quite make our way back.

“It is disappointing for the team having worked so hard – I would like to thank them for their efforts during the year, they certainly worked hard.

“We still have the MotoGP support races to compete in and I am looking forward to that event very much. The crowds are huge, there is terrific atmosphere and I know the Honda CBR1000RR will be competitive.”

Hook was satisfied in a learning season of sorts for the 20-year-old, thankful for the opportunity to race in the premier class with the factory Honda outfit.

“I would really like to thank Team Honda Racing for all the support and hard work throughout the season,” Hook commented. “It was a huge year and I have really enjoyed racing onboard the Honda CBR1000RR. The opportunity has been fantastic and a big thank you must go to Honda Australia and all our team sponsors for their invaluable support.

“We have one more event at Phillip Island with the MotoGP and I can’t wait to compete for Team Honda Racing at such a huge event. I am really looking forward to finishing the year off competing in the support races in front of the international crowd.”

Last weekend’s ASBK final round at Phillip Island saw Staffer and Hook claim fourth and fifth places overall.