Team Honda Racing Trio Ready for World Superbike Event
19th February 2014 – An exciting season of racing begins for Team Honda Racing this weekend at the Phillip Island Championship which will be held in conjunction with the World Superbike event at Phillip Island on the 21st – 23rd February.
Piloting the Motologic-prepared Honda CBR1000RR SPs will be #27 Jamie Stauffer, #34 Josh Hook and riding under the #1 plate for the Phillip Island Championship, Wayne Maxwell is welcomed back to Team Honda Racing on board a Motul Honda CBR1000RR.
The Team Honda Racing trio was back on track recently for testing at Phillip Island and it appears that the rookie-no-more, Josh Hook means business heading into the Phillip Island Championship as he was consistently the fastest rider out on track. “It was terrific to be back out on the track and I got some really solid runs on the CBR1000RR SP which is clearly a good package from the get go. The conditions at Phillip Island were ok and we achieved a lot although the grip levels on the track were a bit of an issue on day 2. I still managed to record a 32.8 sec on the second day which given the levels of grip is strong at this point. I am looking forward to competing at the Phillip Island Championship and to have it as part of the World Superbike event is fantastic. It will be great to get our racing season started.”
Jamie Stauffer is eager to begin his campaign also after a year hampered by injury. “I feel strong going into the 2014 season and my injury from last year is basically healed. I haven’t had a lot of time on the bike over the off season so the test here recently was just what I needed. The new Honda CBR1000RR SP is a great package, I’m really impressed. The Pirelli tyres are working really well although the circuit didn’t seem to offer a lot of grip on the second day of the test so hopefully we can find more speed at the event on the weekend. The World Superbike event will be a terrific way to start the year with Team Honda Racing and I am really excited to get the season underway.”
Having taken the Australian Superbike Championship title last year, Wayne Maxwell returns to Team Honda Racing to race under the Motul Honda banner. Maxwell will sport the #1 plate at the Phillip Island Championship and will be looking to maintain his winning momentum in 2014. “We had a strong test at Phillip Island in the lead up to the World Superbike event this weekend and it was good to re-familiarize myself with the Honda. My times weren’t where I would like them to be, but given that the track was lacking a bit in grip it was a good start. It will be terrific to get out on track onboard my Motul Honda CBR1000RR and see what 2014 holds.”
The World Superbike event will be held this weekend, 21st – 23rd February.