Image: Keith Muir.

Two-time Australian Superbike Champion Jamie Stauffer is working to keep his racing career in motion for 2017 after missing out on the second seat at Crankt Protein Honda Racing next season.

Stauffer, who won the championship in 2006 and 2007 for Yamaha before switching to the Motologic operation in 2010 aboard Ducati machinery, is poised to separate from Honda at the close of this year.

After a one-off season racing Ducati’s 1198 R model, the Paul Free-led Team Honda Racing squad as it’s currently recognised was formed with Honda as its official factory team in 2011 and Stauffer has remained part of the fold since.

At 37 and almost a decade on from his last ASBK crown, Stauffer isn’t yet ready to hang up the helmet, hopeful that he can piece a package together that will enable him to continue racing into the 2017 season and beyond. It’s also understood that a proposed development-type role at Honda remains up in the air.

“I haven’t got anything at the moment and I don’t know what I’m going to do,” Stauffer revealed to CycleOnline.com.au. “I want to still ride, but I’ve got to try and sort something out – there’s not much available. Whether I run my own bike, I’m not sure if I could get together enough funds, but at the moment that would be about my only option if I were to do the whole championship.”

This past season aboard the CBR1000RR SP was one of the most difficult of Stauffer’s lengthy career, finishing eighth in the championship after being injured at Phillip Island’s opener and again in Wakefield Park testing, then missing the Wakefield Park round. Upon return in Sydney he was still recovering, determined to show his capabilities in the six-round series.

The title-winning Crankt Protein Honda Racing team has re-signed reigning Australian Superbike Champion Troy Herfoss for next year to defend his title aboard the new 2017 Fireblade, with rumours mounting at Winton’s final round that he will be joined by 2010 champion Bryan Staring upon return home from Europe.