After a successful weekend of racing in Tasmania for Christan Casella and the AARK Racing Team, we have Casella’s Press Release and Race Report for Round 1 and 2.
Round 1 of the Australian Supersport championship at Phillip Island saw a humble beginning to the series, with a 6th and 5th in the first two races for the year. Facing this sobering fact, all stops were out in preparation for Tasmania in Round 2.
All problems from the first round were addressed and the Aark Racing Triumph 675 hit the road running.
In regular qualifying, Christan set the pace with a 56.006 second lap time to top the time sheet and proceed through to a top 4 super pole shoot out, which again saw Christan fastest. “Super pole is nerve racking, but a lot of fun at the same time. It’s great to just go for it and hang it all out for one lap”.
Race 1 was mainly a two horse race between Casella and Yamaha Racing Team’s Kevin Curtin. The racing was close with the lead changing 3 times in just two corners towards the middle of the race. Casella set the fastest lap of the race with a 56.1 second lap and won the race by 1.5 seconds. “It was great to be racing for the lead with Kevin, he raises the bar and there is no room for error. I really want to thank Aark Racing for giving me such a great bike to win on”.
Race 2 has been described as “the best Supersport race since the series began in 1993” by commentator Ken Wooten. The constant lead change and desperate passing moves had all watching holding their breath in a thrilling spectacle. Casella led numerous times and had the fastest lap of the race, however finished 2nd by 0.05 seconds across the line, to take the overall Round 2 win and move into the championship lead. “It’s been a great weekend; to be fastest all weekend, get the overall win and now be leading the championship is fantastic and a credit to my team manager Andy Offer and K-tec suspension. But of course I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for all of my sponsors and supporters; Aark Racing, Triumph, Peter Stevens Motorcycles, Dunlop, KBC Helmets, Alpinestars, Doctor Glass, Motul Oils, RK Chains, Restorace, Bike-photos & Champions Ride Days.”
Andy Offer had this to say about the weekend; “I am very happy with not just success of the weekend but how the team has been strengthened by Round One’s short comings. I am very proud of the people and companies that make this team what it is”.
The Aark racing team now gets ready for Darwin in five weeks and will be looking to further the championship lead – see us track side.
Check back in with us soon, as we will be updating the site with images from the first two Rounds of the season.
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