From a press release:

2003 Yamaha Formula Xtreme TT Series
Round 5, Eastern Creek Raceway, NSW
Event Preview

FORMULA XTREME FINAL SHOWDOWN AT THE ‘CREEK

Can Kevin Curtain make it back-to-back Formula Xtreme and Supersport titles, or will Daniel Stauffer break through to take his first Formula Xtreme crown and can Brendan Clarke snatch the FX Supersport title from the wily veteran?

These and many more questions will be answered this weekend at the fifth and final round of the 2003 Yamaha Formula Xtreme TT Series being held at Sydney’s Eastern Creek Raceway.

While the trio of Nikon Yamaha riders battle it out for the top honours in the Yamaha sponsored Formula Xtreme and Supersport classes, there are a number of other Yamaha supported riders who are in strong positions to stake their claim on a host of other titles to be decided over the weekend.

One rider who does not have to worry about that is Nikon Yamaha’s Craig Trinder. The Queensland veteran has already wrapped up his second NakedBike title aboard his Yamaha FZ1 and will assume a different role over the weekend. Trinder will be working not only behind the scenes within his own team, but will take on some additional commentary work that will see him moving up and down pit lane with a TV crew in tow. His experience showed make for some valued comments and insights over the weekend.

With Trinder taking a back seat role this weekend, the battle is on for those completing the minor placings. Procycles Yamaha rider Graeme Wilshaw lies third on the table, one place ahead of fellow FZ1 mounted Matthew Waldren. The pair will be looking to overhaul John Allen and provide Yamaha with a clean sweep in the NakedBike class.

Not to be outdone by the premier class runners will be Taree teenager Alex Cudlin. The 16-year-old currently leads the Superstock points table aboard his Fineline Motorcycles Yamaha YZF R6 in what has been a great debut year and will be aiming to turn his points lead into a title by Sunday afternoon.

Two Yamaha riders missing from the final round are Cameron Donald (Gary O’Brien Yamaha) and Mark Stanley (Lismore Motorcycles). Both will be competing in a rescheduled round of the Asian Championship. It will be a disappointment for Donald especially as he is fresh from taking the overall round win at Queensland aboard his Pirelli shod YZF R1 and also leads the A Grade privateer point score.

His absence will only make things all the more exciting for those chasing the 2004 model YZF R1 that is up for grabs for the top placed A Grader at seasons end. Two riders within a shot of taking home this great prize are Victorians Nicholas Barton (SCR Yamaha) and Stephen Tozer (Stafford Yamaha). Both are in a position to accept the prize and will no doubt leave nothing
behind as they put everything on the line.

With four Formula Xtreme titles under his belt already, Curtain may arrive at Eastern Creek as the man to beat, but he will have his hands full as he fends off challenges in all directions.

Just six points separates Curtain from current leader Daniel Stauffer. Eastern Creek is seen as a home track for both riders and should set the scene for a great fight for the number one plate. Not to be left out will be their young teammate Brendan Clarke. The Brisbane teenager is a mathematical chance of taking the title, but from a Nikon Yamaha team point of view they will be hoping that he can be there at the end with his teammates to make it a trifecta for the new-look team.

Curtain and Clarke will also back up and continue their battle in the FX Supersport class aboard their YZF R6’s. Curtain holds a 20-point advantage over Clarke heading to the final four races of the series, but the youngster will be eager to showcase his talent and gain the upper hand over his more experienced teammate.

One rider who has shone in the Supersport class in 2003 has been Sydney privateer Glen Allerton. He has pressured his more fancied rivals on more than one occasion during the season and came away with the round win at Queensland last time out. Currently fourth in the points, he will be out to spoil the party for the bigger names in the class.

Qualifying for this weekend’s final round gets underway on Saturday morning before the first eight of the scheduled 24-races for the weekend gets underway later that afternoon. Sunday will provide fans with an action packed 16-race program that should not be missed.

YAMAHA XTREME Overall points standings after round 4 of 5:

1. Daniel Stauffer (251); 2. Kevin Curtain (245); 3. Brendan Clarke (178); 4. Cameron Donald (165); 5. Ben Attard (133); 6. David Butler (132); 7. Nicholas Barton (130); 8. Stephen Tozer (110); 9. Robert Bugden (106); 10. Benn Archibald (101).

YAMAHA SUPERSPORT Overall points standings after round 4 of 5:

1. Kevin Curtain (300); 2. Brendan Clarke (280); 3. Russell Holland (225); 4. Glen Allerton (170); 5. Simon Rattenbury (152); 6. Wayne Maxwell (146); 7. Mark Aichison (138); 8. Mark Stanley (82); 9. Christopher Seaton (76); 10. Rory Rock (60).

YAMAHA SUPERSTOCK Overall points standings after round 4 of 5:

1. Alex Cudlin (335); 2. Alex Tomasetti (301); 3. Jarrod Curren (246); 4. Benjamin O’Brien (200); 5. Scott Evans (155).

NAKEDBIKE Overall points standings after round 4 of 5:

1. Craig Trinder (385); 2. John Allen (282); 3. Graeme Wilshaw (262); 4. Matthew Waldren (211); 5. Lee Munro (176).