RACE REPORT
2012 GSX-R1000 Launch
Phillip Island, VIC
14-15 March 2012

Team Suzuki was on hand for the official Australian launch of the 2012 model Suzuki GSX-R1000 at Phillip Island in Victoria on 14-15 March, joining domestic press and dealers in the bike's national release.

Current Team Suzuki racers Josh Waters, Ben Attard and Brodie Waters, as well as Team Volvo Group Suzuki satellite rider Robbie Bugden, were on hand to introduce the sixth generation GSX-R1000.

While members from the press and select dealers completed their initial laps on the bike at the world famous 4.445-kilometre Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit, the Team Suzuki Superbike riders shared their advice on the circuit and new model.

It was a fitting launch venue for the 2012 GSX-R1000, just weeks following Waters' overall victory in the opening round of the Australian Superbike Championship at Phillip Island late last month.

"The new 2012 model GSX-R1000 is a definite improvement over previous years in standard trim, which translates really well to Superbike specification," Waters said. "The new Brembo front brakes are really strong and the production engine is powerful straight from the factory, which gives us a great base to work from in racing. The launch was great fun and everybody seemed impressed!"

Waters brought along a special guest in Japanese former factory Suzuki Grand Prix ace Nobuatsu Aoki, who he partnered to second in last year's Suzuka 8 Hours round of the Endurance World Championship.

All four of the Team Suzuki riders completed a series of demonstration laps during the launch, along with Suzuki's three-time Australian Superbike Champion Shawn Giles.

"It was a fantastic launch, and the 2012 model GSX-R1000 and its collective refinements of the previous model really have resulted in an all new bike," Giles commented. "I was really impressed for a production bike, just how good it drives off the turns and the outright performance of it.

"When you actually ride the new 2012 GSX-R1000, there's a big difference and improvement. The new Brembo brakes are impressive and I didn't experience any fade at all throughout the launch. Suzuki engineers have certainly done their homework."

Giles, who is now a Suzuki ambassador in Australia, also thrilled brave guests with two-up laps aboard Team Suzuki's ex-Australian Superbike race machine, which he rides at all rounds of the ASBK Championship series.

Team Suzuki will continue its 2012 Australian Superbike Championship campaign at Darwin's Hidden Valley Raceway in the Northern Territory on 20-22 April.

About SUZUKI
Formed as a weaving loom manufacturer in 1909, Suzuki Motor Corporation of Japan started producing motorcycles in 1952.

Suzuki is an established brand in the Australian market, as the third-highest selling motorcycle brand.

For further information on Suzuki products, interested customers should visit their local Suzuki dealer, who can be found through the Dealer Locator on www.suzuki.com.au.

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