ORAN PARK G.P. RACEWAY 18/8/02.

 

John Lyons #88 leading  team mate David Butler #93

The Bears Ducati F1 Racing Team, went to round 5, with hopes of salvaging a podium in the overall championship. Team leader Peter Hinton was recovering from a double break to his right arm, in a near highside incident in Queensland. "I smashed the nosecone to bits, but the arm broke as well. I carried on in the race, and iced the arm for the final, but I couldn't open the throttle or use the brakes." he shrugged. Subsequently the radius and ulna were plated and Hinton #3 Ducati 998S, expects to be back in the fray for the final round. "I still have a theoretical chance at 2nd for the year, I was able to do 16's with the broken wing, (in Qld), so lets see how things shape up for Eastern Creek." he said.

Meanwhile, John Lyons #88 Ducati 996 SPS, and David Butler #93 Ducati 955, were on a mission to do their best. Lyons lost a chain, which cost him dearly. "I should have replaced it sooner, but the bike was working wonderfully and all I could do was focus on the other races." he said. Lyons lies 5th in the championship and could even finish 3rd if lady luck smiles. He was consistently the fastest non testastretta, and beat all the other dukes including 998's, with a personal best of 1.13.6. "Craig (Mc Martin) is so fast, so are the Aprillias, but all up I've done my best, and I'm happy, special thanks to Denise Hinton for helping with set-up and John Iles #9 Aprillia RSV, for helping with our broken chain." smiled the '97 Bears Champion.

David Butler had a mixed weekend, problems with set-up and a huge multibike accident in the Naked class took the wind out of his sails. "I was able to follow Johnny, but it was hard work." he sighed. Then we all fell off on the debris in that other race and I'm still 'seeing stars', oh well maybe next time." he said. Butler, currently 7th, could give the team a chance of realising 3 riders in the top ten for the championship. "We're looking forward to Eastern Creek, but this level of endeavour is certainly no bed of roses." mused team manager, 'Aunty' Mal.