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2005 AUSTRALIAN SUPERBIKE CHAMPIONSHIP

2005 AUSTRALIAN SUPERBIKE / SUPERSPORT CHAMPIONSHIP

• BROOKES (HONDA) 2005 CHAMPION: “I was confident that I could do the double if things fell into place this weekend, but I also knew it was going to be extremely tough ... I wasn’t even sure I had won it until I got back into the pits but I knew I could do nothing less than win the second race today to have a chance. Jamie did not make it easy for me that’s for sure. That was by far a harder race than anything I’ve done before.”
• GILES (SUZUKI) 2005 CHAMPIONSHIP RUNNER-UP: "Firstly - congratulations to the Joe Rocket Honda Team and Josh for taking his first championship. I have to thank the everyone at Team Suzuki. 2005 has been the closest, toughest championship I've raced and everyone has worked so hard together to achieve a top result. Even though we didn't take the title, we finished on equal points so obviously the Suzuki GSX-R1000 has the horsepower and pace to win the Australian Championship. This was a brand new bike for 2005, and now with a year of development under our belts I'm looking forward to making a strong challenge for next season. Coming this close to the title, Suzuki is going to be even hungrier than ever for the championship crown."

ROUND 7, PHILLIP ISLAND, NOV 13, 2005

RACE 2, NOV 13, 2005

• 1 Josh BROOKES Honda CBR1000RR
• 2 Jamie STAUFFER Kawasaki ZX-10R +0.83
• 3 Adam FERGUSSON Honda CBR1000RR +0.86
• 4 Shawn GILES Suzuki GSX-R1000
• 5 Russell HOLLAND Honda CBR 1000RR
• 6 Anthony GOBERT Honda CBR1000RR
• 7 Daniel STAUFFER Yamaha R1 1000
• 8 Glenn ALLERTON Suzuki GSXR 1000
• 9 Robert BUGDEN Yamaha R1 1000
• 10 Shannon JOHNSON Yamaha

RACE 1, NOV 13, 2005

• 1 Jamie STAUFFER Kawasaki ZX-10R
• 2 Josh BROOKES Honda CBR1000RR
• 3 Adam FERGUSSON Honda CBR1000RR
• 4 Anthony GOBERT Honda CBR1000RR
• 5 Shawn GILES Suzuki GSX-R1000
• 6 Shannon JOHNSON Yamaha YZF-R1
• 7 Russell HOLLAND Honda CBR 1000RR
• 8 Glenn ALLERTON Suzuki GSX-R1000
• 9 Wayne MAXWELL Kawasaki ZX-10R
• 10 Nick HENDERSON Honda CBR1000RR

GRID, NOV 12, 2005

• 1 Josh BROOKES Honda CBR1000RR 1m 34.202
• 2 Jamie STAUFFER Kawasaki ZX-10R
• 3 Russell HOLLAND Honda CBR 1000RR
• 4 Adam FERGUSSON Honda CBR1000RR
• 5 Anthony GOBERT Honda CBR1000RR
• 6 Daniel STAUFFER Yamaha YZF-R1
• 7 Shawn GILES Suzuki GSX-R1000
• 8 Shannon JOHNSON Yamaha YZF-R1
• 9 Shannon ETHERIDGE Honda CBR1000RR
• 10 Robert BUGDEN Yamaha YZF-R1

FRI PRACTICE, NOV 11, 2005

• 1 Adam FERGUSSON Honda CBR1000RR 1m 35.500
• 2 Anthony GOBERT Honda CBR1000RR 1m 35.554
• 3 Shawn GILES Suzuki GSX-R1000 1m 35.631
• 4 Josh BROOKES Honda CBR1000RR
• 5 Jamie STAUFFER Kawasaki ZX-10R
• 6 Shannon JOHNSON Yamaha YZF-R1
• 7 Daniel STAUFFER Yamaha YZF-R1
• 8 Robert BUGDEN Yamaha YZF-R1
• 9 Scott CHARLTON Suzuki GSX-R1000
• 10 Wayne MAXWELL Kawasaki ZX-10R

RACE REPORT: HONDA

BROOKES MAKES HISTORY WITH BACK TO BACK TITLES FOR JOE ROCKET HONDA

• The question of whether Joe Rocket Honda could set an unprecedented record of back-to-back dual titles was answered in awe-inspiring fashion on Sunday at Phillip Island’s final round of the Australian Superbike titles when 22 year old superstar Josh Brookes secured both Championships on his production CBR’s. After two strong Supersport races in which he finished first and third, and 12 points up his sleeve going in to round seven, Brookes wrapped up the 600cc title easily by early afternoon, his first championship win in four years and his first aboard a factory Honda machine.
• Team mate and 2004 Dual Champion Adam Fergusson stayed close behind making it a one-two podium conclusion for the two factory riders before handing over the 600cc crown to his cohort. Business was far from over however for Brookes as the young star prepared for the ultimate glory – winning the Superbike title against veteran multiple title holder Shawn Giles. Although the outcome would remain an uncertainty until the final minutes of racing, the odds were not in Brookes’ favour with his rival leading the series by 10 points going in to the final round. With world-class talent, determination and a highly tuned CBR1000RR at his disposal, however, Brookes was destined to make this “his year” after battling injuries in 2003 and 2004.
• The signs were clearly there early on in the meeting when Brookes grabbed his first Superbike pole position of the season with a blistering 1:34.202, a quicker pace than his own previous lap record of 1:34.7, and a vital extra point in what would become the closest championship tally in recent history. After a second place finish in race one, the title would come down to the last three laps of the final Superbike race for 22 year old Brookes who crossed the line in first place after an almighty battle with Jamie Stauffer and Fergusson who never let up on the Kawasaki rider in order to give the advantage to his team mate. In fact, Adam pulled out all stops to provide key tactical assistance to help young Josh‘s dreams come to fruition, a clear indication of the veteran’s professionalism and dedication to the Team. With Adam’s assistance, Brookes was able to secure an advantage of three places over Giles in lap eight of eleven. The two men crossed the line tied on points in their respective positions, an equal 279 each meaning a count back of race wins would determine this year’s Champion.
• By the end of proceedings, Brookes’ one race advantage was the determiner and the resolute lad from Bringelly, NSW had achieved his early career goal of becoming Australia’s top rider. “I was confident that I could do the double if things fell into place this weekend, but I also knew it was going to be extremely tough,” Brookes said. “I wasn’t even sure I had won it until I got back into the pits but I knew I could do nothing less than win the second race today to have a chance. Jamie did not make it easy for me that’s for sure. That was by far a harder race than anything I’ve done before.” On his future, Brookes said he is “just enjoying the moment for now.” “This has been my goal for some time and I’m just stoked to have achieved it. The Joe Rocket Team have made this all possible for me, especially my mechanic Garry House and Team Manager Paul Free.” “I also have to thank everyone who has believed in me and supported my career. That includes Honda Australia, my family and friends, and all of our Team sponsors. This isn’t an easy sport to make your mark in, but with the right people behind you, it can definitely become a reality.”
• On handing over his dual titles to his teammate after finishing fourth and fifth in the two Supersport races and 15th and third in the Superbike encounters, Fergusson was magnanimous in defeat. “I went out and did my job today,” the 31 year old Champion said. “If the titles weren’t going to be mine again, than I wanted to do whatever possible to ensure they went to Josh and to the Joe Rocket Honda Team.” “Today and at different points throughout the season, we have had some problems that have held me back, but I’m really happy for Josh and will now just focus on fixing those issues and getting my racing on track for next year.” Brookes, along with Fergusson who wrapped up the Superbike series in fourth position in addition to his second place Supersport crown, helped Honda to win both Manufacturer’s Cups for the second year running.
• Honda’s privateer rider Bryan Staring provided a fair amount of competition for both Brookes and Fergusson in the Supersport class throughout the season, and also assisted the manufacturer in winning the Cup. On Josh’s success, Paul Free said it is not surprising. “Everything Josh touches turns to gold. He never cracks under pressure and it has been on the cards for some time that he would become an Australian Champion. There is no doubt that he has what it takes to become a world champion.” On his career in Australia to date, Free said, “He has had some set-backs which would have put a lot of other riders out of the game, but not Josh.” “All of our riders this year including Adam, and Rocket Racing’s Jason (O’Halloran, 7th overall) and Judd (Greedy, 17th overall after three rounds) have put in 100%.” “That doesn’t always happen within Teams so from a Manager’s perspective, I can only thank these guys for doing their job to the best of their ability from day one, and that includes all of the support crew as well.” “We have once again been able to show that anything is possible when you have the right attitude and the right machine.”

RACE REPORT: SUZUKI

• Team Suzuki's Shawn Giles finished the 2005 Australian Superbike season zero points away from making Australian road racing history the Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit today.
• Giles was chasing a record fourth Australian Superbike Championship to re-write the record books, securing the star rider legend status in Australian motorcycle racing history.
• Instead, Giles made a different kind of history with the first-ever draw in Australia's premier road-racing class - creating the category's closest ever finish.
• In a dramatic finish to the 2005 Australian Superbike Championship, Giles ended up on equal points to main rival Josh Brookes and then was denied his fourth title on count-back.
• After an exciting, season-long stoush between Giles and Brookes, the result came down to a count of both riders' race victories throughout the 2005 season, with three wins to four going in favour of Brookes.
• Heading into the final event with a ten-point lead over Brookes, Giles needed strong results to secure victory.
• Qualifying his Suzuki GSX-R1000 Superbike in seventh, Giles had his work cut out for him, and placing third and fourth in Sunday's two 11- lap races was only enough tie with Brookes on 279 points.
• "Firstly - congratulations to the Joe Rocket Honda Team and Josh for taking his first championship," Shawn Giles said.
• "I have to thank the everyone at Team Suzuki. 2005 has been the closest, toughest championship I've raced and everyone has worked so hard together to achieve a top result.
• "Even though we didn't take the title, we finished on equal points so obviously the Suzuki GSX-R1000 has the horsepower and pace to win the Australian Championship."
• "This was a brand new bike for 2005, and now with a year of development under our belts I'm looking forward to making a strong challenge for next season. Coming this close to the title, Suzuki is going to be even hungrier than ever for the championship crown."
• Under the leadership of master tuner Phil Tainton the Suzuki Team has claimed four Australian titles - three of those with Giles in the saddle to collect the silverware.
• "Winning 3 of 7 rounds, Shawn has come so close to winning this championship for Suzuki," Phil Tainton said.
• "Shawn is an incredible talent and a born champion. and with the GSX-R1000 he's been a dominant force in the Australian Superbike Championship yet again."
• Giles' team-mate Glenn Allerton finished the season on a high note finishing in sixth for the year - being awarded the Rookie of the Year.

RACE PREVIEW: HONDA

• JOE ROCKET HONDA AIMING FOR TOP SPOTS IN BOTH CLASSES
• This weekend’s final round of the Australian Superbike Championship is set to be one of the most exciting showdowns in recent motorsport history with a spread of only 15 points between the top three riders in the 1000cc stakes.
• Joe Rocket Honda’s Josh Brookes and Adam Fergusson both have one thing in mind - defeat Shawn Giles as well as each other at Phillip Island this Sunday under what is predicted to be favourable climatic conditions.
• Brookes certainly showed that he has what it takes to get his fair share of the available 51 points after a scorching run in the support races of the recent MotoGP where he took five out of six race wins. Veteran rider Fergusson, however, has had an extremely strong second half of the season, rising up through the ladder in phenomenal fashion after disappointing rounds earlier in the year.
• After spending additional testing time at the Island during the break, both riders are focused and ready.
• “Its possible for me to get both titles this weekend,” said Brookes in reference to the Superbike and Supersport classes. “Its not going to be easy but I have no reason to think I can’t do it either. The bikes are set up to perfection, and there is no place I’d rather be riding the final round than the Island.”
• In regard to his position going into the series climax, Fergusson is quietly confident. “I’ve had to battle odds like this before and come out smiling at the other end,” the 31 year old Victorian said. “It ain’t over till its over and anything is possible.”
• With Brookes leading the Supersport class and Fergusson trailing by just 12 points, the boys are also aiming for a Honda majority on the 600cc Champions podium by the close of business on Sunday.
• Honda privateer Bryan Staring, who has continued to show his emerging talent throughout the year, is also a strong possibility to peg third place from Mark Aitchison with only seven points between the two young riders.
• “Honda riders could possibly finish up this year with five out of the six podium places in both classes,” said Team Manager Paul Free. “That would be a great achievement.”
• Rocket Racings’ Judd Greedy (Superbike) and Jason O’Halloran (Supersport) will also be on hand looking to better their current placings at this last round of the year which will include two 11 lap races for each class.
  

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