Eastern Creek International Raceway: July 8/9 2001.

        Hinton third in series decider/ Clean sweep for Ducati.

 

Legendary motorcycle racer Peter Hinton, #28 Ducati 996 Strada, rode to a gallant third place in the Honda sponsoredFormula X-treme Pro-Twins series. It was a first for Ducati, as the previous titleshave been garnered by both Honda and Suzuki over a four year period. Hinton, again put his almost stock Strada on the front row, in qualifying, and rode magnificently to follow,former 6-Hr team mate, Mike Soderland #72 Ducati 996 Corser special, and eventual series winner, Craig Mc Martin #1 Ducati 996 SPS to make the series a 1-2-3, for Ducati. "I'm pleased to be third to these guys, they deserve their results and I don't think I could have pushed our little Strada any further, congratulations to them, and to Ducati ingetting the manufacturer's award " smiled Hinton.

Earlier in the day, whilst in a serious dice, team member Maurice Rissman #78 Ducati 996 SPS, had an off at turn 11. "I felt OK for a while, then not so well, it turns out I have some fractured ribs and a suspected broken vertebrae, but I'll be back asap, I'm not giving up that easy!" winced Rissman. Some of the best racing of the day was when Rissman, out cornered Rob Carrall (Honda) at the infamous turn 9 (Criville corner). "I felt I had the goods on him and the Duke just sailed past on the inside, I have to keep reminding myself of the good stuff! I'm sorry I'll miss the National Bears next weekend, we would have been at full strength for John Lyons's debut with his new 996 SPS" he said.

There was a clamour on the infield as television crews interviewed the three Ducati riders, resplendent with pit girls flying Ducati banners, and race fans waving "Ducati Wins 1-2-3" posters. The three riders congratulated one another and thanked their supporters."It was a good day for our team and our sponsors, but it was a great day for Ducati, just think, 1-2-3, in the Pro-Twins, First in the privateers Championship (Adrian Pierpoint 996 SPS) and 1-2, in the Bears class (Peter Morgan 748 R, Steven Goold 944), now pass me the magic wand, so I can turn Pete's bike into a new 998 R" smiled team manager, Mal Cherlin.

The Bears F1 Racing Team greatfully thanks its sponsors and supporters:

NF Importers, Wally Lee, Steve Reeves & Cameron Norman; Desmo HQ, Arthur Davis; FIM Ulti-Map, Duane Mitchell; Gowanlochs;

Epicycle, Pete Smith; Graham McMillan; SystemCraft, Claudio Antonioli; Bray Properties, Paul Bray; Roselands Centre Jewellers, Gary Wellstead; Skilled, Angus Anderson; RB Tyre Warmers; GM Edwards; Castrol; AGV; BMC; DaVanti Developments; MCA; DOCNSW; Bears Racing; Dave Mifsud; Mike Casey; Grant Mellon; Bruno the Goucho; Tex O'Grady; Mototech 91, John Allman; Hobs-R-Us; Denise Hinton; Moto Concepts, Dave Stone; and Craig McMartin, #1, for lending us an exhaust bolt, and being a good bloke!

Mal Cherlin, Manager Bears F1 Racing Team. www.bearsracing.com