Yamaha wins dramatic FX weekend

Yamaha dominated the proceedings in the FX600cc class, taking the top five positions on the day while Kevin Curtain topped the FX-Superbike class with three, edge of your seat race wins, in another impressive day for the Yamaha team.

Kevin Curtain continues to amaze pit pundits with his determination and racing skills. Again working double time over the weekend and contesting both the 600cc and 1000cc divisions on his R6 and R1 respectively, Curtain captured all six race wins in what was his most challenging round for the year, so far.

Curtain held off a spirited effort from BMW's Scott Charlton to win all three legs of the 1000cc Superbike class. Race after race, lap after lap and corner after corner, Curtain had to deal with constant pressure from Charlton but he put his years of racing knowledge to work and was able to out-smart, out-think and out-ride his opponent to take the round win with the races decided by 100ths of a second. The pair turned on some great racing that the premier racing division should supply.

His work on the 600cc was a little easier, but with his huge racing load on the weekend fatigue becomes an issue but Curtain had just enough gas in the tank to get the job done and take another three wins from three starts to round out a perfect days' racing for the New South Welshmen.

The successful weekend now has Curtain on the brink of securing the championship double. He only needs to log another solid points haul at round five to wrap up the championship with one round to spare and cap off another sensational year.

"Today was hard work," Curtain offers at the end of racing. "There wasn't really a stage in any race where I could take a breath and relax as I always had someone close and needed to stay on the job. But, it's nice to know I still have the fitness to get it done and also the mental focus to keep my mind on the job right to the very end."

Pat Medcalf joined his team mate on the podium in the FX Superbike class with another solid performance taking third for the round. Medcalf finished with 4-3-3 results in each race and looked better and better with each race.

The strong performance has moved Medcalf up to second in the championship points with a comfortable margin over third place with two rounds remaining. Curtain and Medcalf are now in line for a 1-2 finish as the series draws towards the finish.

But the day proved challenging for Rick Olson. Crashes took the wind out his sails as he slide along the bitumen on two occasions, one his own doing when he lost the front in a turn, the other due to a rider falling in front of him and leaving him nowhere to go. The only race Olson didn't hit the deck he managed a third and looked to be in good form.

"It was one of the more dramatic rounds we have had in some time," states team manager, John Redding. "A lot of riders were crashing and we weren't excluded from that with Rick going down twice in what was a frustrating day for him. Pat was good on the weekend and improved with each race on a track that he doesn't always enjoy so to get on the podium was a good result."

"While Kevin managed to find a way to win when up against some quality opposition. His results today were due to his fighting spirit and will to win as he just seem to want it more than any other rider."

"I must make mention of Hafizh also on the 600cc. He is part of our YRD exchange program with Malaysia and his results are improving every time he comes to Australia."

"So, with two rounds to go, as a team we are in pretty good shape and look forward to the final rounds at Wakefield Park and Eastern Creek to finish off the 2011 season on a positive note and hopefully with some championships," Redding adds.

FX600cc Results - Winton
RiderManufacturerResultsPoints
1st Kevin CurtainYamaha1-1-175points
2nd Abdullah HafizhYamaha3-2-362points
3rd Sean CondonYamaha2-3-460points
4th James BeckYamaha6-4-549points
5th Adrian Di GiandomenicoYamaha5-5-749points

FX Superbike
RiderManufacturerResultsPoints
1st Kevin CurtainYamaha1-1-175points
2nd Scott CharltonBMW2-2-266points
3rd Pat MedcalfYamaha4-3-358points
4th Jason CullenHonda6-5-449points
5th Andrew IrwinHonda10-6-641points

Championship Standings - After Four rounds
600cc
1st Kevin Curtain - 294
2nd Sean Condon - 213
3rd Josh Hook - 208
FX Superbike
1st Kevin Curtain - 286
2nd Pat Medcalf - 225.5
3rd Jason Cullen - 200

Photography Credits: Keith Muir Photography