Race Report

Bernard Racing 2010/2011 Motorcycle Road Race Team

Words by: KC Bernard

Photos by: Dallas Alexander

Round 3 - International Tri-Series, Wanganui

As the International Tri-Series came to a close at Cemetery Circuit last weekend, the team celebrated two wins from three starts, with Dan Stauffer winning the second F1 race and then the Robert Holden Memorial feature race!!

Dan and Andrew both had their first look at the track in the morning practice and qualifying sessions. They both loved the track and after cutting their teeth on the first F1 Superbike race, they were ready for action in race two. Dan and Andrew both felt very confident in the bikes and only made a few minor changes to the modified stock suspension. Dan went on to win race two and looked set for the Holden Memorial event. It was an impressive battle between Andrew Stroud and Dan Stauffer, with Stroud taking the lead on the second to last lap only to see Dan re-taking the lead on the last corner to become the first ever Australian to win the prestigious Robert Holden Memorial trophy. Andrew also had an impressive result finishing 5th in the feature race.

The team celebrated with a mix of pride and relief as our short but dynamic season came to an end. This was by far the most difficult season from a planning perspective with the bikes arriving in late November. We needed a firm commitment from our riders before we could give the “go ahead” and get bikes and parts under way and this did not come until mid- November.

Andrew Nelson arrived on the 29th of November as Brian was still transforming his standard Yamaha YZF R1 road bike into a track bike for Andrew to get a look at the Hampton Downs circuit the following weekend. Andrew took it all in stride and rolled with the flow in his easy going, good natured way and had a good look at the track and soaked up some of the NZ countryside during the journey. The following weekend was round one of the Tri-Series at Hampton Downs and we were still without our K-tech suspension, exhaust systems and graphics. Brian decided to send the stock suspension to Kerry Dukie to get it modified in case the K-Tech did not arrive in time and it was a good thing he did as the K-Tech was lost in the Christmas shipping rush and then held up with NZ customs and has only just arrived. However, Dan and Andrew were so impressed with the standard suspension they were not at all concerned. We arrived at round one with blank fairings, fairly stock bikes, new riders with no track knowledge but we came out of it a close knit team, graphics on the bikes and some respectable placings, considering everything we were very pleased.

Round 2 left us a rider short with Dan’s prior commitments keeping him in Australia, leaving the team representation up to Andrew Nelson. Andrew struggled with intermittent weather making it more difficult to learn the track, but he managed a top 10 overall finish all the same.

We were all eager to have the full team together for the final round at Wanganui and the riders were very keen to have a go on the infamous Cemetery Circuit. Brian did his best to prepare the riders after getting their bikes sorted by offering some tips. The lads experienced the circuit first hand and walked away proud and grateful for the opportunity. We are also grateful for the efforts and professionalism of our riders and crew and for our Sponsors and Supporters that made it all happen. Thank you all very much.

Following on from Dans’ fantastic results while here in NZ, the team would like to continue on this season with the National Championship Series. Dan Stauffers vast experience and skill combined with the Team’s commitment and professionalism will make the Bernard Racing Team a hot contender for the National Championship Superbike title.

Results:

Robert Holden Memorial: Dan Stauffer, 1; Andrew Stroud, 2; Sloan Frost, 3; Nick Cole, 4; Andrew Nelson, 5; James Smith, 6

F1 Superbikes Race 1: Andrew Stroud, 1; Nick Cole, 2; Craig Shirriffs, 3; Dan Stauffer, 4; Sloan Frost, 5; Robbie Bugden, 6; Andrew Nelson, 10.

F1 Superbikes Race 2: Stauffer, 1; Stroud, 2; Shirriffs, 3; Frost, 4; Cole, 5; James Smith, 6.

F1 Final Tri-Series series points: Andrew Stroud, 141; Sloan Frost, 119; Robbie Bugden, 105; Nick Cole, 92; Craig Shirriffs, 91; Dan Stauffer, 74; Andrew Nelson, 64.

A very special thanks to all our team sponsors and supporters - we couldn’t do it without you!!!

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