Brookesy feeling strong and confident after Phillip Island test

Back on track again after the New Year and Christmas holidays, Team Stiggy Motorsport Honda took part in the official SBK/SSP tests in Australia at the Philip Island racetrack this week. Both Joshua Brookes and Robbin Harms managed to put in a large number of laps over the three day test, at the 5,380km seaside circuit, in very hot conditions.

Returning after a successful shoulder injury, Robbin Harms had his first opportunity trying out the “new” 2008 machinery and completed as many laps as possible over the three days. He tried many different development parts as worked at finding a good bike set-up. Robbin managed to find a good overall setting for his bike and improved every session - both in lap times and his feeling with the bike.
Joshua had already tested twice, in Spain last December, and was comfortable straightaway from the start of the test. The Aussie put in many laps at his home race track and managed to give lots of feedback during the three day test, as well as setting a good lap time.

Joshua: (1.35.7)
Testing here at Philip Island is just awesome. It’s my home racetrack and definitively my favourite. I have great knowledge and have had fantastic results here at this track; it gives me a good feeling riding here. During the three days we have been working on many different areas such as clutch configurations, suspension settings, machine set-up, riding positions and much more. We managed to find a really comfortable and good setting on bike for this track. I feel strong and very confident with the machinery I have. Today I rode over 100 laps and completed the day with a race simulation, which worked out just how we planned. Due to the heat in the afternoon, it was hard improving lap times, but nevertheless I’m happy with our progress and can’t wait to get back here for the race in just a couple of weeks.

Robbin: (1.36.4)
Getting on the “new” bike was not such a big difference from last year’s bike. It was myself getting back into the rhythm again that took some time. During the three test days, it’s been really hot, especially today as it got up to 41 degrees at one point! We mainly concentrated on improving the chassis-set up in combination with the right tyres. I tried to ride as many laps as possible and although we didn’t have access to the development tyres, like some of the other teams, I think we managed to do pretty well in terms of lap times. On the last day I rode approx 80-85 laps and did a race simulation towards the end of the session. Everything felt good and we definitely managed to improve the bike a lot during these days.

Johan Stigefelt (Team Manager)
All the new stuff we had to try for this test seems to have worked out really well. We got good feedback from both riders and I’m very satisfied with these tests overall. We had incredibly hot temperatures and that took a while getting used to - especially for us coming from the snow in Scandinavia to 40 degrees in just a few hours! Both riders managed a large number of laps in the three days, and constantly improved their bike settings as well as their lap times. Both managed to stay on their wheels throughout the test, which is very comforting. This was definitely a successful test for us.

SUPERSPORT WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP - TIMES COMBINED
1. Parkes (AUS-Yamaha) 1'34”6
2. Rea (GBR-Honda) 1'35”0
3. Pitt (AUS-Honda) 1'35”0
4. Foret (FRA-Yamaha) 1'35”2
5. Fujiwara (JPN-Kawasaki) 1'35”6
6. Walker (GBR-Kawasaki) 1'35”7
7. Joshua Brookes (AUS-Honda) 1'35”7
8. McCoy (AUS-Triumph) 1'35”9
9. Robbin Harms (DEN-Honda) 1'36”4

His start..

Honda Racing Australia Announce the Signing of Josh Brookes
3 September, 2001

Early in August Honda signalled its intention for a full strength return to the Australian road racing scene after an absence of 12 months. The recent signing of teenage sensation Josh Brookes is a definite shot in the arm to that resolve and signals to the opposition that Honda is back in the paddock and means business.

Honda MPE General Manager Ian Juster welcomed Josh to the Honda camp this week, "Brookes is a very enthusiastic and talented young rider and I am sure this partnership with Honda will prove beneficial to both parties. It will be an exciting time for the company in 2002 with both the Fireblade and CBR 600 F4i competing at the highest level with full support from Honda. Make no mistake we are out to win in 2002 and will do everything in our power to ensure that we do so."

Honda Racing's Mick Smith is looking forward to working with the young Brookes. "We had a bit of a break from racing in the Australian scene this year as we lent our support to Adam Fergusson in World SuperSport. Now we have decided that we wish to make a return to domestic racing in 2002 and, after seeing Josh's performances aboard Geoff Winzer's Fireblade we thought that it would be a good idea to get him onboard as part of that plan. Next year we plan to race in Australia, but with the actual race series not yet set we cannot firm up the series participation. We would like to race both the SuperBike Championship (ARRC) and Formula Xtreme with a two-rider team that will compete in both SuperBike and SuperSport. The signing of Brookes is very exciting for us here at Honda Racing and we look forward to working towards our championship winning goals with young Josh."

Brookes is looking forward to defending his #1 plate in SuperSport while also being given the possibility to add a SuperBike Championship to his resume.

"I think that the Honda is going to be the way to go in 2002 and I think the package we will have for next year should give me the best opportunity for success," said Brookes.

"We got some serious speed out of the current Fireblade but for next year we have been told that the 2002 model will have around 10 more rear wheel horsepower in standard form so that should transfer well to the race bike. I know the Fireblade chassis quite well and with mechanic Garry House returning from Europe I am confident that we will have the know how to overcome any obstacle that is put in our way." he concluded.

Josh Brookes commenced his racing career in Motocross and like so many of Australia's best road racers also has extensive dirt track experience. Josh took the 2001 Australian SuperSport Championship this year from riders such as Daniel Stauffer and FX Champion Robbie Baird. But what brought him to the attention of Honda were his exploits aboard a Fireblade in the Formula Xtreme Tri-State Series where he put in some great performances to take many race wins.

Full Name -  Joshua Andrew Brookes
Age -  18 years
Born -  Auburn, Sydney, 28th April 1983
Lives -  Bringelly, Sydney
Family works in -  Roof maintenance
Started riding -  First bike at age 4, Honda QR 50
Started racing -  1988, Age 5, Motocross at Appin in NSW
Racing history -  Began competing in Motocross at age 5 (1988) and dirt track.  


Over the next eight years Josh won several open, state and Australian Championships in Motocross, short circuit and long track. In 1997 (age-14) Tony Hatton introduced Josh to the Moriwaki 80 class. Josh took to it straight away by finishing in a podium position in every race he entered including the season finale 1-hour race at Oran Park. Josh was then invited to Japan for the 'one day heroes championship', which he won from Damian Cudlin. The same year he also competed in the 80cc 3-hour race where he finished 3rd behind Anthony West and Garry McCoy. During 1999 Josh raced in three rounds of the Australian 125 championship but still managed to finish in the top ten. Last year Josh completed the Australian 125 season and took 2nd place, 10 points behind Jay Taylor. Australian SuperSport Championship winner in 2000.

Other sports participated in -  Athletics and swimming
Height and weight -  176cm, 68 kilograms
Favourite food and drink -  Japanese cuisine, Milo
Favourite circuit -  Oran Park
Most memorable racing moment -  GP Wild card last year (2000)
Favourite way of training -  Cycling
Riding in 2002 -  Both SuperBike and SuperSport for Honda Racing Australia

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DP_EFwnrV6o