Johnson / Charlton Race Report - Tassie

[MadKaw]

Shannon Johnsons ASC Race Report Symmons Plains

Event: Round 6 Aust. SBK Championship
Date: 29th- 31st August
Venue: Symmons Plains Raceway
Weather: Cold, Windy
SBK:

Qualification: 11th
Race Results Shannon Johnson Kawasaki ZX10R
Race One: 8th
Race Two: 11th
Overall: 9th:

Report:
After spending such a long time off with injury I am glad to be back on a bike again. During my time off the team has continued developing the new bike as best they can with the replacement riders. Unfortunately each rider is very different in both size and riding style, meaning some of the developments were not as helpful as we would have liked. Still thanks to the riders for their assistance and helpful input.

During the practice and qualifying sessions we simply worked on trying to get a basic setting that would offer the best balance for the heaving braking, along with the tight changing of direction in the first part of the lap. While trying to keep the bike rider friendly to help preserve my shoulder over the race distance. We made a number of changes and settled with what we felt would serve us best for the races, keeping in mind that come race time the weather conditions could be very different, as was the case.

Sunday morning warm up was wet; this was the first time for the new bike in those conditions. It is much different to the previous model and that took some time to get used to, after the session ended we were confident we could make some changes that would work if conditions stayed the same. Until the last ten minutes before the first race we simply waited on the weather to finalize the set up and tyres to use. Dry set up it turned out to be.

I made a fairly good jump although got a little pinched off in the tight turn two. After the first few laps I just worked on staying consistent and picking up places. By race end I was in eighth place, better than my starting position. The race did take its toll on my shoulder; I spent some time between races with the Race Safe Physio working on it. For the second race we decided it be best to heavily strap it as the swelling was a tell tale sign that it was not coping so well with the abuse.

Race two was much harder and was difficult to get comfortable on the bike and into any sort of rhythm, I ended the race were I started. This was not the goal for the day. Now I have some time to rest and continue building strength to be better prepared for the coming races. Although it probably will NOT be on my road cycle as I seem to get hit by cars a little too often...

I'd like to thank a number of people that without their help and great work I'd still be in the rehabilitation stages. My surgeon Greg Hoy, trainer Jake Royle from Race Fit, Mark Backway from North Melbourne Physiotherapy, the staff from Suzuki Race Safe and my team for sticking by me and working so hard in a time that was difficult for us all.

Thanks to Arai Helmets, Spy Eyewear, Mi-Cut Australia, Swimming with Sharks Footwear, Gas Imports, The Creative Ones, GiMoto Leathers, Impact Armor, Berik Boots, Gas Imports and Musashi Health Supplements for their amazing support personally and to all the sponsors of the team.

Warrian Enterprises, Silkolene, NGK, DID, and Kincrome.

Sincerely

Shannon

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Misfortune Unravels In Form Charlton at Symmons Plains

From KRT
KRT’s streak of misfortunes continued at the 6th round of the Australian Superbike Championships at Symmons Plains, Tasmania, on 30-31 August when an in form Scott Charlton crashed in dramatic fashion on board his Ninja ZX-6R.

With a spate of injuries and testing trials behind them, KRT went to Tasmania brimming with confidence and optimistic of a strong result in both the Superbike and Supersport classes. Long hours of testing and development to both the ZX-6R and ZX-10R was paying dividends as KRT rider Scott Charlton qualified 6th fastest in the Supersport class and came out firing in his first race.

Racing into 5th position and having recorded the equal fastest speed trap time on board his ZX-6R, Scott Charlton looked good for a top 5 finish. However disaster struck on the 13th lap when Scott hit some water that found its way onto the track from the apex. Scott came off his Ninja as a result of the water on the track and was sent straight to the medical centre with concussion, ending his day’s racing.

Scott says, “The ZX-6R was running great and the track was really well suited to the Ninja’s top end performance. I felt really good out there and was confident of some good results until I crashed on some water that was dragged onto the track. My day ended early so obviously I’m disappointed. I can’t wait to come out firing at the MotoGP.”

Fellow KRT rider, Shannon Johnson, was happy to be back on board the ZX-10R after missing the last two rounds with injury. Shannon’s absence from the bike proved costly as he fought hard to regain his strong form. Shannon finished his first race inside the top ten taking 8th place and went on to take 11th in his second race.

KRT manager Dave Cullen says, “The ZX-6R was very strong out there so it’s a shame Scott’s day ended early, preventing him from displaying his own form and the bike’s. The
ZX-10R was competitive and it’s getting quicker each time it races too. Injury and misfortune have hampered the team’s results lately however we’re still very confident we can get a podium finish.”

KRT will be looking for that podium finish at the Australian round of the MotoGP at Phillip Island on 3-5 October.