“ONE down, three to go,” Max Stauffer triumphantly announced on Thursday after taking the win in the 2024 Phillip Island Superbike Go-Kart Challenge.
Friendly rivalry was on the cards as Australian and World Superbike riders had some fun on the miniature version of the larger track today, ahead of the first round of the 2024 season at Phillip Island, kicking off tomorrow with the free practice sessions and Australian Supersport Race 1. The hotly contested race was won by Aussie Superbike rider Max Stauffer, who beat Scottish World Supersport rider John McPhee and fellow Aussie Olly Simpson (Australian Supersport) to the chequered flag.
Stauffer showed his speed and skill on the kart, setting the fastest lap (46.630 seconds) and jumping ahead of the pack early after starting in third on the grid. He said he was happy with his performance and confident for the main event.
"The first race is the most important and with one win down there is only three more now to go. I'm pretty stocked, it was a good race, nice and consistent, kept me on my toes,” he said.
“I’m keen to get stuck into the first practice session and see where we end up.
“It’s hard to know where you are at, at Phillip Island – everyone has tested at different times. We’re not going to know where we sit until after practice.”
McPhee, who is also reasonably new to the World Supersport grid after switching from Moto3 between 2022/23, gave Stauffer a good challenge but had to settle for second place.
Simpson rounded out the podium.
The racing was not without drama, as some riders had off-track excursions and a few argy-bargy moments. The worst crash award went to German rider Philipp Oettl, who has a spectacular spin out. Oettl, son of World Championship rider Peter Oettl will be contesting his third campaign in the World Superbike Championship this year with a new team – GMT94 Yamaha.
The superpole award went to Bryan Staring, who qualified on pole position but lost the lead to Stauffer on the first lap due to a jump-start penalty.
The go-kart race was a great spectacle for campers from the sidelines ahead of the official three days of racing.
The honour of starting the race went to Australian Oli Bayliss, son of three-time World Superbike champion Troy Bayliss, who is scheduled to hit the track for D34G Racing on the Ducati Panigale V2 as part of the World Supersport line-up this weekend.
Also on the grid were World Superbike riders Remy Gardner [GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team], Bradley Ray [Yamaha Motoxracing WorldSBK Team], World Supersport rider Thomas Booth-Amos [PTR Triumph], and ASBK – Australian Superbike national support competitors Cameron Dunker, Josh Waters, Bryan Starring and Jordy Simpson.
The riders will now switch their focus to the real thing, as the World Superbike season kicks off tomorrow at Phillip Island, one of the most iconic and challenging circuits in the world. The fans can expect some thrilling races and some fierce competition, as the riders fight for glory and points.
