HOLDEN FIRST IN AUSTRALIAN SUPERBIKE PRIVATEER CUP (Phillip Island, Australia)”” Jake Holden continued to impress the Australian Superbike paddock on his privateer Woodstock Bourbon/ Evolution Sports Group Honda against the factory machines. The Washington native concluded his invasion assault on the Australian Superbike field with a fourth place overall finish in Sunday’s Superbike race and first place in the Privateer Cup. Holden first impressed the Australian Superbike field when he was able to come to grips with the Australian track quickly. After a single twenty five minute practice session that was half wet half dry, he was sent out for the only twenty five minute qualifying session. Holden qualified seventh after admitting that he wasn’t even sure where he was going because he was never able to hook up with one of the faster competitors. In addition to not knowing the track, Holden’s bike was suffering from an intermittent misfire that would only happen in the left hand corners two, eleven, and twelve. Before the afternoon final on Sunday, the Woodstock Bourbon/ Evolution Sports Group Honda crew swapped out the entire wire harness, bank angle sensor and throttle bodies in an attempt to rid the machine of the misfire. With no time to spare the crew pushed Jake out for the final race. When Jake gridded up after the sighting lap, a marshall noticed that a part of the wire harness was dangling out from the belly pan and made Jake leave the grid. The crew realized that an unused lambda sensor was the culprit and quickly tied it up and out of the way and sent Holden out to catch the field on the warm up lap. When the lights went out, Jake had a great start and was mixing it up with the lead group of five before a red flag brought a premature stop to the eight lap race. The field re-gridded for a six lap final and when Holden went to re-fire his Honda, it wouldn’t start. The marshalls were able to push start Holden’s bike and he had to run down the field on the warm up lap. When the lights went out for the final final, Holden got a great start and drove around the outside of the field through turns two and three. Holden battled up to fourth position but was unable to match the speed of the leading three bikes down the front stretch, he would pull out of the draft in an attempt to pass only to have the front three pull away. At the finish line he was a close fourth and had gapped the pursuing field. Unbeknown to Holden, the Australian Superbike Championship also scores a Privateer Cup within the Superbike race. Holden would learn of the Privateer Cup when the ASBK officials presented him with the first place Privateer Cup trophy. Jake Holden: “I really want to thank Wayne Hepburn and the entire Woodstock Bourbon/Evolution Sports Group Honda team. They invited me over and made me feel welcome by really taking care of me both on and off the track. People keep asking me if I am coming back for any more rounds. I told them I hope so. Murph (Syndicate’s Michael Murphy) and I talked about the possibility of racing here full time next year if nothing works out in the AMA. I really enjoyed the people, the racing and the track here in Australia and I just want to keep racing next year.” For Sponsorship inquiries contact Murph at Syndicate Motorsport Management, LLC: (+1) 831 464 3458 or email: [email protected] More, from a press release issued by GMT 94: Sebastien Gimbert, 2009 French Superbike Champion. Over 10,000 spectators came to Albi this weekend to watch the French Championship finale. After setting his fourth straight pole position, 9/10 of a second faster than his nearest rival, Sebastien Gimbert also reset the lap record on his way to third place in the first race and clinched the 2009 French Superbike championship before the final race of the season. The new Yamaha R1 IPONE PIRELLI triumphs in its first year, adding to the successes already achieved in world championship competition and major European championships. *Christophe Guyot:* “I am very happy for Sebastien who really deserves this title. Our Yamaha R1 is a great motorcycle. With such a combination, we knew that the title was within our reach this year and we clinched it at Albi which represents the rebirth of a French championship on the rise with media coverage and a deep field of competitors. Spectators are now coming in droves and the competition level is very high.” *Sebastien Gimbert:* “Yamaha could not have built me a better motorcycle. This new R1 is the perfect fit for me, combining performance and pleasure. I want to thank my mechanics and the entire GMT 94 team for their hard work this year which has allowed me to run a fantastic season with multiple wins and pole positions. I am also very happy for all our partners who have been supporting us for a long time and are enjoying this moment with us. My club and the GMT 94 club made the trip there, and seeing their happiness at the end ot race was a great moment for me” *GMT 94* More, from a press release issued by Matt Taylor, on behalf of SRA West: Sidecar Racing Association-West champion crowned and Willow springs Raceway Oct 18th. The final round of the SRA-West’s 2009 season was hosted by WSMC. Bill Becker and Wade Boyd were seperated by only one point entering into the final round. Team Brama traveled from Toronto Canada and landed in the lead early taking their Suzuki powered LCR to the checker. Boyd and Becker contended for 2nd place and the championship trading positions 8-10 times during the race. At the checker, Team Becker MotoWorks claimed victory by only 3 bike lengths. “From the drop of the green to the checker, I can’t tell you how many times Wade and I passed each other. So much was going on at the helm it’s a bit of a blur. a couple of extra hands would have helped…. If you ever get a chance to race with Wade, you are in for the ride of your life!” Bill went on to add, “I would like to thank all of the road racing orginizations like AHRMA, WSMC, OMRRA and WMRRA that have lent us their tracks and time to race our SRA-West series and I really am looking forward to 2010.” 2009 SRA Leader board Drivers: 1) Bill Becker 2) Wade Boyd 3) Jonny Wood Passengers: 1) Christine Blunk 2) Eric Becker 3) Rhonda Taylor More, from a press release issued by R&T Suspension: R&T Suspension 2009 CMRA Champions Road & Track Suspension would like to thank the Central Motorcycle Roadracing Association for putting on another great year of racing across Texas and Oklahoma. We would also like to thank all the Champions of the R&T supported races during the year and all R&T sponsored riders. R&T Suspension Mini Endurance Team Sidewinder 1st Team Von Schlecten Lebern 2nd R&T Suspension E Superstock Jess Foltz 1st R&T Suspension Formula 4 Austin Gore 1st D Superstock Novice Alexandra Humphries 1st D Superbike Novice Alexandra Humphries 3rd Lightweight Twins Novice Alexandra Humphries 4th Formula 2 Alexandra Humphries 4th A Superstock Novice Nick Montanaro 2nd R&T Suspension Clubman John Francis 1st R&T Suspension Classic Unlimited Gilbert Epperson 1st R&T Suspension awarded over $10,000 of suspension service in five classes during the 2009 CMRA roadracing season. www.VonHertell.com