21/05/2007 - Tazmania Race Report OZ

Hi All

As you know, Cole is now on a DVS Honda, sponsored by Oleon (and Dad) and that last weekend saw the 5th round of the Australian Superbike Championship take place in a far off land called Tasmania.

Cole had essentially not ridden at the Symons Plains track before, having crashed there and breaking his hand after about 10 laps during testing last year.

Cole's team mate, Adam "Krusty" Fergusson crashed during testing the previous Friday and has sustained what could be career ending injuries. Amongst other things, both legs are broken and he requires a full knee replacement on his right leg.

Having said that, he was at the track on Saturday and Sunday (checking himself out of hospital against everyone's advise) to give Cole a hand. We wish Krusty a speedy recovery and hope to see him back on the track next year.

Friday practice was sopping wet leaving Cole to learn the track in wet conditions. We knew that times would not matter so sent him out on a second-hand set of wets, simply to feel his way around the track. There was only one instruction - bring the bike back into the pits in one piece - which he did.

We arrived at the track on Saturday morning to clear skies and while it did threaten at times, the rest of the weekend was dry.

Cole spent the first qualifying session getting to know the track but wasted most of the second session trying to resolve small bike problems. We were 19th on the grid and that is the way it would be.

Cole was gaining confidence in himself, the bike and the team.

Race 1
Cole got the worst start of his career and was a long way back from all the riders on the track. He settled down and was doing consistent 58's. The cause of the bad start, and him running off the track in the hairpin, was a faulty clutch, making the bike very hard to ride. He did make up 2 places before the leading group started lapping him. Each time a bike passed him, Cole would tag on a little and was soon learning from the leaders, getting his times down into the 56's - an excellent effort.

Race 2
With a brand new clutch in the bike (thanks to Jimbo and James) Cole got a better start but was still last into turn 1. He soon settled into a rhythm passing three riders and looking really good out there. While his times did not improve much from the first race, Cole was riding well and loving his new Honda. We can not wait for the next round at Queensland Raceway at the end of June.

Cole would like to thank James, Jimbo, Dave, Krusty and Shane for their support this weekend. What more could any young rider ask for?

This page was last updated on 06-06-2008.