Jamie Stauffer fractures vertebra in Wakefield Park test crash
While Troy Herfoss is on course to impress his hometown fans at Wakefield Park next weekend, his Crankt Protein Honda teammate Jamie Stauffer is in doubt after a tumble while testing at the Goulburn circuit this week.
Jamie had a tumultuous start to season 2015, a big crash at Lukey Heights sending him high into the air and on landing the Kurri Kurri based rider injured his pelvis, back and tailbone. As a result Jamie missed the opening rounds of the 2015 Swann Australasian Superbike Championship that year, his tilt for the title was effectively over before it began.
Unfortunately, it appears that the same fate may have befallen the 36-year-old after a rough highside while testing at Wakefield Park yesterday ahead of ASBK Round Two at the 2.2km circuit later this month.
In pre-season testing this year Jamie also had a big highside at Phillip Island. Then at the opening round of ASBK 2016, staged in conjunction with the WorldSBK weekend at Phillip Island, Stauffer fell heavily at over 200km/h on the main straight, suffering extensive friction burns to his forearm in the process.
Following the testing crash at Wakefield Park yesterday, Jamie has now suffered a compressed fracture of the T12 vertebra, and is now awaiting an MRI to establish the extent of the injury before the targets can be set for a return to racing.
Jamie Stauffer
“Unfortunately when I have a crash of late it really tends to be a big one, a massive highside like early last year and in pre-season this year, or that high speed slide down the tarmac just a few weeks ago at Phillip Island during ASBK round one.
“And yesterday was another highside that sent me pretty high!
“Funnily enough where they say the fracture is hasn’t really caused me that much discomfort, instead I feel a fair bit of soreness further down the back where I guess I must have done some muscle damage.
“I have an appointment with my own doctor shortly and at this stage we can’t get an MRI until Monday, but hopefully that can be brought forward so we can see where we stand, but yes I would say being back in action for round two is unlikely at this stage.”
Jamie was in good spirits when I spoke to him and will hopefully be back on track soon.
Desmosport Ducati rider Mike Jones also fell during testing yesterday and only managed a short amount of track time.
While Jamie is likely to be out of action, Goulburn locals will get behind their hometown hero Troy Herfoss, with round two of the ASBK set to be held from March 25 – 27, 2016.
Herfoss was reportedly very fast during testing and with the tyre war now on in earnest, Pirelli versus Dunlop, it could come down to the weather as to which one is favoured.
Hotter conditions are likely to favour the Dunlop runners, such as most Yamaha riders, while cooler conditions are likely to see the Pirelli riders, such as Herfoss and Ducati’s Mike Jones perhaps have an advantage.
Troy Herfoss
“I came across Jamie after his crash and it was not a pretty sight. He was obviously in a lot of pain, so it was pretty worrying. He had bit his tongue which brought a bit of blood to the scene so at first I didn’t know what to think. Glenn Allerton jumped the fence and ran to the scene pretty quickly too.
“Jamie is one tough guy, so when he is exhibiting so much pain you know it was a big one. Hopefully he gets back on track with me soon as he has had a really rough trot of late, I look forward to sharing the podiums with him again hopefully in the not too distant future.
“As for the second round of ASBK late this month at Wakefield Park, having the home track advantage and having my friends and family here supporting me will be great, as it’s the local track for me. I seem to know every bump around Wakefield and also I enjoy the track which helps a lot,” Herfoss said.
“I don’t feel like I have any pressure representing my home town, I love having people there backing me. It’s a track that the Honda seems to do well at, so it’s great to be able to make the most out of Wakefield Park by having the bike work well and the home crowd supporting me.”
Honda mounted Herfoss also spoke of his first outing for the year at round one at Phillip Island, indicating that a Superbike podium is well within his sights.
“I feel like at Phillip Island although Glenn (Allerton) won all three races and he raced really well, I was so close to possibly being on the podium. I was just maybe a bit cautious there especially for the first few races,” Herfoss shared.
“I think the difference at round two will just be a bit of luck really, and taking advantage of my knowledge of the track and the hard work of my team to setup the bike.
“It’s getting exciting now, and I just can’t wait to go racing again and show my home crowd what I can do at round two at Wakefield Park.”
ASBK 2016 – Round One – Phillip Island
- Wayne Maxwell tops ASBK Thursday Practice at Phillip Island
- ASBK 2016 Round One Images Gallery A
- Wayne Maxwell takes pole for ASBK season opener
- Glenn Allerton wins ASBK season opener at Phillip Island
- Troy Guenther takes first ASBK Motul Supersport spoils
- Glenn Allerton clean sweeps ASBK 2016 season opener at Phillip Island
- ASBK 2016 Round One Images Gallery B
- Troy Guenther claims Motul Supersport victory at Round 1 of ASBK
- Houghton wins Australian Moto3 Round One
- ASBK 2016 Round One Images Gallery C
- ASBK 2016 Round One Images Gallery D
ASBK 2016 Calendar
- Round 1 Phillip Island GP Circuit, WSBK, Vic 25-28 February
- Round 2 Wakefield Park Raceway, NSW 25-27 March
- Round 3 Sydney Motorsport Park, NSW 16-17 April
- Round 4 Barbagallo Raceway, WA 3-5 June
- Round 5 Morgan Park Raceway, QLD 6-7 August
- Round 6 Winton Motor Raceway, Vic 30 September – 2 October
