Presentation from Round 3

Left to right: Peter Hinton ( BEARS F1 Ducati), David Butler( BEARS F1 Ducati) & Craig McMartin (Ducati Sydney)

The Bears Ducati F1 Racing Team had a 'mixed' result at Queensland's Willowbank Raceway. The Team, with new sponsors, Piaggio Vespa, and Why Eyeware, joining Bray Properties, was determined to consolidate its position.

Peter Hinton #3 Ducati 998S, was fortunate, however, to finish all four races, getting "out of the seat" coming onto pit straight trying to bridge the gap to series leader Craig McMartin #1 Ducati 998S. "I was positioned to effect a pass on the Aprilia of Mikey (Mike Soderland #2 JSG Aprilia) when a another rider fell and the yellow flags came out." he said. "Craig was getting away, and my only option was to go for it as laps were expiring, the bike nearly high sided me but we kept it upright." Hinton had broken the fairing in the slide and had ice on his hand later in the day. Soderland, in the meantime was proudly displaying a cut on his throat, where the screen of his bike had sliced him as he nearly went over the top, at turn 2. "I was looking for a place to land!" said the plucky Aprilia rider, "but somehow I came back down in the seat" he smiled. John Lyons #88 Ducati 996 SPS also finished all four races, but was dogged by tyre wear problems. "It's the weirdest thing, we tore up tyres on Saturday but the bike was better on the Sunday" smiled the '97 Champ. David Butler #93 Ducati 955 fell whilst attacking Soderland, but was spectacular to watch up until that moment. "I pushed too hard, and paid the price" he said sadly.

The team will look to round 5 at Oran Park for a better days racing. "We're still in this battle, 2nd or 3rd is still attainable; we have to make sure Ducati wins the Manufacturers award as well as the Championship proper. I just cannot believe the level of the competition, and the times these riders are realising, no wonder only 2 haven't fallen so far this year, this is one hot competition."said Team Manager Aunty Mal.

The Bears Ducati F1 Racing Team thanks, gratefully, all its sponsors, supporters and crew; without whom none of this is possible.