Team Honda Racing Wins Superbike Races 1 and 2 at MotoGP
18th October 2014 – The Australian MotoGP is in full swing at Phillip Island with Team Honda Racing displaying the full might of the Honda CBR1000RR SP, winning Superbike Races 1 and 2 with just one race remaining to decide the title of the Phillip Island Championship.
#16 Josh Hook has proven his return to form this weekend, not only securing Pole position in yesterday’s qualifying session, but winning both Race 1 and 2.
#27 Jamie Stauffer is currently leading the Phillip Island Championship by 5 points heading into Race 3 tomorrow and is not planning on allowing his younger team mate the honours. “There are only 5 points between Josh and me now to take the title so it really will be down to Race 3 tomorrow. Josh is riding well, but I feel with just a slight adjustment to the bike I will be able to race for the win.”
Team Honda Racing has painted the front row red with Hook starting from Pole position ahead of team mates #47 Wayne Maxwell and #27 Jamie Stauffer with #17 Troy Herfoss starting from P5 on the grid.
Race 1 yesterday was action-packed and not quite to plan for Team Honda Racing with Wayne Maxwell crashing half way through the race and Stauffer subsequently running off the track to avoid Maxwell only to rejoin and finish the race in 4th place behind team mate Troy Herfoss in 3rd place. Hook however had already taken the lead and raced to victory with ease, his fastest lap time 1:32.863 sec.
Race 2 this morning was smooth sailing for Team Honda Racing with a fantastic 1-2-3-4 finish. Hook took the lead and didn’t falter, securing the fastest lap and the win placing him in hot contention for the title. “I am really happy with how my weekend is turning out. Two race wins with one race to go tomorrow. The team has been fantastic and I feel really confident on the bike so hopefully I can make it three from three and win the Phillip Island Championship.”
Maxwell finished 2nd in Race 2 this morning and is eager to finish the weekend on a high, “I’m happy with the 2nd place in Race 2 after a disappointing day yesterday, but I would like to get out there and take Race 3 to finish strongly. I think with a couple of changes we will get there. We’ll see what happens in the morning. The team is definitely on the job and I feel confident about tomorrow’s race.”
Rounding out the Hondas was Troy Herfoss in 4th place. Herfoss finished yesterday’s Race 1 in 3rd place and will be looking to return to the podium for the final race of the event tomorrow. “I would have liked to have been on the podium in both races so far, but I just couldn’t match the pace of the other guys in that 2nd race today. With some changes this afternoon I’m sure we will be back up the front for Race 3 and back on the podium.”