6 Jun 2011

YRD’s Mike Jones wrapped up the Australian 600cc Superstock Championship with a round to spare after a commanding performance at round five of the Australian Superbike Championship (ASBK) held at Queensland Raceway over the weekend.

Jones, the recipient of the 2011 Reece Bancell scholarship award, entered the weekend with a huge points’ gap over his nearest rivals but with the goal of tucking the championship trophy into his gear bag before the final round at Phillip Island later in the year, he had plenty to race for.

The Yamaha rider then turned it on for his home state crowd and hit that goal after taking pole position on Saturday and then racing to three victories in a dominant performance that stamped himself as the class rider of the 600cc Superstock field in 2011.

The weekend was reflective of Jones’ form in the 2011 season as he has won pole position at every round contested so far and then, more impressively, gone unbeaten in every 600cc race. That is a string of 11 races where Jones has been the first to the checkered flag.

It has been a remarkable season for the teenage star of the future and to achieve the championship at Queensland Raceway, just up the road from his base in Nerang, was the icing on the cake for Jones and his team.

“2011 has been a great year for me,” Jones offers excitedly. “I had a goal to win this championship but never did I expect to win it before the final round and to win every race along the way.”

“It has been fantastic to race this year because of the people and the support I have behind me. Everyone at Yamaha and YRD have been unreal and the people involved in the Reece Bancell Scholarship have also been a vital part of my success this year.”

“I can’t thank everyone enough!” Jones finishes.

Yamaha’s John Redding was also on hand to witness Jones claim his championship and couldn’t be prouder of the results and success Mike has achieved in 2011.

“Mike has showed enormous improvement in 2011 and to win this championship in the style and manner that he has is a credit to himself and the people around him.”

“I believe it’s the first time that a rider has won a national championship in such dominating fashion and this sets Mike up as a rider of the future.”

“On behalf of everyone at YRD and Yamaha, we congratulate Mike and his team on a job well done!”

But just as the Jones celebration party was getting fired into life, Jones hopped a Sunday Night flight to Asia where he will contest round two of the Asian Road Race Championships in Indonesia. He will return for the final ASBK round of the year to be held at Phillip Island.

Round Five Results- Queensland Raceway
600cc Superstock
1st Mike Jones – 76 (Yamaha)
2nd Daniel Falzon – 60 (Yamaha)
3rd Zack Thackery – 52 (Kawasaki)
4th Terry Burns – 47 (Yamaha)
5th Mark Wilkinson – 45 (Kawasaki)

Championship Standings – One round remaining
1st Mike Jones – 279
2nd Daniel Falzon – 196
3rd Mark Wilkinson – 189
4th Zack Thackery – 175
5th Tim McGregor - 153