Jamie Masterson: Masterson Masters Mondello Masters!

Last month saw the opening round of the Adelaide Masters in Mondello Park where I had my hopes on my first big win. I had done a personal best time in testing and broken the magic minute with lots more still to come.

The weekend consisted of three championship races and a grand final in which the fastest 30 riders of the weekend go head to head in a race usually referred to as the  ‘Dash for Cash’! After a strong qualifying session I qualified the JMR superbike in 4th position in the Superbike Cup.  I was delighted to qualify on the front row which always puts you in a good position in the dash for the all important first corner.

In the first race on the Saturday, I had a tough race and after a  hard battle I finished 3rd and claimed my first superbike cup podium- a big moment for me and my little team!

Race 2 on Sunday morning which was again dry, saw me in another battle from start to finish for 3rd position with Cork’s Brian Coomey.  I was lying in 4th position starting the last lap but after a committing myself to a brave move around the outside in turn 4, I grabbed  3rd position just before the flag to take yet another podium.

As we lined up for the race three, the heavens opened and the race was declared a wet race. With the track drying quickly, we were faced with a difficult tyre choice. We went with our Michelin wets, which paid off as in the very tricky conditions after a grueling 15 lap race , I brought the JMR prepared Suzuki home in 2nd  position. One step closer to that all important top step!!

I was delighted to qualify into the Mondello Masters Grand Final- the ‘Dash for Cash’ race in which the 30 top riders from the weekend were combined into 1 final showdown. Again, the heavens opened just before the offso we were all faced with another tricky wet race. I lined the big DLM tuned Suzuki up onto  22nd on the grid  and from the off there was bikes being scattered all over the track. After a great first lap I was already lying inside the top 15 and with the aid of my excellent Bazzaz traction control, managed hold off the challenges from behind and even gained a few more places in front as the race progressed. It was hard to know where I was lying in  my all important Cup Class and after ten rain soaked laps, the decision was taken to stop the race. I was delighted to learn when I crossed the line that I had finished an incredible  9th position overall and 1st  in the Cup Class.. To say that I was ecstatic with my first win on the JMR superbike would be the understatement of the year!

I am now lying in 2nd place in the Adelaide Masters Series Championship after round 1 of 5 and I just can’t wait for the next round in June when I hope to match our 4 podiums and gather up some more points in  my quest to become the Masters Champion 2012 !! I have also had some good results up north  in both Kirkistown and Bishopscourt with a handful of top 6 finishes, which leaves me lying in 6th position in the Northern Championship also…

I will be blogging regularly in 2012 for motorsport.ie so you can keep up to date with my championship campaigns by logging on here after each round!

FLASH #22