Shawn Giles

RACE REPORT

Shell Advance Australian Superbike Championship
Round 6
Eastern Creek Raceway
November 9-10, 2002

GILES TAKES THIRD CHAMPIONSHIP AND RE-WRITES THE HISTORY BOOKS

Shawn Giles has taken his Suzuki GSX-R1000 to a third successive Australian Superbike Championship at Eastern Creek Raceway today, becoming the first ever rider to do so.

"It is just fantastic for everyone involved, the team, the sponsors and of course Suzuki," said an excited Shawn Giles.

"It would have been nice to win the round, however to become the first rider to win three titles more than compensates."

Aboard his GSX-R1000, Giles started race one from second and, importantly, was two places ahead of championship rival Josh Brookes.

"I got away to a good start and was leading for the first lap before I had a bit of a moment, and Josh and Jamie Stauffer got through," said Giles.

Determined to take his third championship in the first race, Giles was content to let Brookes and Jamie Stauffer engage in a risky battle for the lead while he consolidated third position.

Shawn Gilesw Team Suzuki

"I knew that third position was enough to regain the title for Phil Tainton and the rest of Team Suzuki who have done such an amazing job this year, and that's what was important," said Giles.

With the Championship secured, Giles was at his scintillating best in race two, once again demonstrating the superiority of the Suzuki GSX-R on the racetrack.

Giles and Brookes renewed acquaintances, dicing for the lead before a red flag stopped racing with Giles in a close second place.

At the restart, the powerful Suzuki of Giles continued to battle with Brookes, the two Superbikes crossing the line instantaneously, with Giles missing out on his 9th race win this season by the narrowest of margins.

With only pride on the line, Giles was determined to win the final race of the 2002 season, and again started well.

Dicing with a desperate Brookes, Giles remained smooth and composed aboard his strong GSX-R1000 throughout race three.

Giles took the chequered flag, clocking the fastest lap of the weekend on the way (1 min 33.6089), once again finishing his Suzuki ahead of the opposition and taking second place overall for the weekend.

"Shawn is the best rider I have ever worked with, and probably ever will," said a jubilant Phil Tainton, Team Manager of Team Suzuki.

"He is riding better than ever and his experience certainly shone through this weekend,"

Team Suzuki will be aiming for four straight Championships in 2003 with Giles partnering young Victorian Craig Coxhell in a two-pronged attack aboard brand-new Suzuki GSX-R1000s.

SHELL ADVANCE AUSTRALIAN SUPERBIKE CHAMPIONSHIP TEAM SUZUKI ROUND SIX RESULTS

Qualifying 2nd Shawn Giles - Qualifying time - 1:34.0548
Race 1 3rd Shawn Giles - Fastest time - 1:34.7062
Race 2 2nd Shawn Giles - Fastest time - 1:34.1273
Race 3 1st Shawn Giles - Fastest time - 1:33.6089

SHELL ADVANCE AUSTRALIAN SUPERBIKE CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS (FINAL)

1 - Shawn GilesSuzuki GSX-R1000 363
2 - Joshua Brookes Honda 295
3 - Jamie Stauffer Yamaha 208
4 - Stephen Tozer Yamaha 183
5 - Steven Cutting Suzuki GSX-R1000 155
6 - Daniel Stauffer Yamaha 141
7 - Robert Bugden Suzuki GSX-R1000 140
8 - Liam Magee Suzuki GSX-R1000 112
9 - Jay Normoyle Suzuki GSX-R1000 111
10 - Alistair Maxwell Suzuki GSX-R1000 104