Stauffer claims Superbike pole Email Print Normal font Large font November 18, 2006 - 7:51PM Yamaha racing team rider Jamie Stauffer has claimed pole position for Sunday's seventh and final round of the Australian Superbike Championship after a stunning lap time of one minute 30.231 seconds at Eastern Creek raceway. Stauffer's time was not only 1.334secs below his own existing superbike lap record for the 3.93km Sydney circuit, but also below the outright motorcycle record of 1min 30.360secs held by factory grand prix rider Alex Criville on a Honda NSR 500. The 27-year-old was surprised by his time, which came after he had fitted a soft qualifying tyre to try and improve his lap time. "I made a mistake on that lap and nearly crashed at Turn Seven, so I wasn't expecting such a fast time," said Stauffer. "I doubt I'll be able to repeat that lap time in tomorrow's races on harder race rubber, but who knows? I really hope to give Yamaha its first ever Australian Superbike title and finish the season with two more race wins. Stauffer holds a 38-point lead over Honda rider Russell Holland in the series, and needs only to finish eighth in the first of the two 13-lap heats to claim his first Australian Superbike Championship. "It's business as usual and I'll be going for the race wins," said Stauffer. "It's important to keep focused and to keep doing the same as we've done over the previous six rounds." Second fastest was Team Suzuki rider Shawn Giles, with Kawasaki Racing Team rider Shannon Johnson and Team Suzuki's Robbie Bugden completing the front row of the grid. Championship contender Holland recorded the fifth fastest time and will start from row two as he battles to overcome the effects of a recently broken collar bone, fractured just five weeks ago. "I underwent surgery and had a plate and ten screws put in," said Holland. "I need to keep the pressure on Jamie and hope he makes a mistake." Stauffer clinched the Australian Supersport Championship at the previous round four weeks ago, and will be attempting to claim the double crown when he contests both Superbike races on Sunday.
