The final round of the Australian Naked Bike Championship made a welcome return to Sydney's Eastern Creek Raceway. As only 3 of the 8 Championships up for grabs had already been decided, the racing was bound to be fierce. The public were treated to beautiful clear blue skies for all three days racing.

Qualifying
After the horrific accident on the start line at the previous round and still carrying three broken ribs, the Finson Yamaha Team was unsure if Simon would be fit enough to ride. Being unable to test or practice at all between rounds along with the difficulty in trying to maneuver his weight around the motorcycle didn't help. Simon fitted some bracing to his torso and headed out for the first practice on Friday. At the conclusion of the final qualifying session Jon Cartwright was first with a time of 1.36.567 with Simon qualifying second, just 0.734 seconds off Pole Position.

Race 1
The sun was out in full force for Saturday afternoon's first race with the track temperature reaching 54.6 degrees! Most motorcycles were near boiling point as the grid formed. The two Yamaha FZ-1 riders made a break in the early stages creating a ten second gap on the rest of the field at the half way mark. Simon was still feeling the effects from his injuries and rather than over riding, he opted to minimise the risk and comfortably finished in 2nd position by just 4.306 seconds.

Race 2
After taking some sound advice from teammates, Simon headed to the Honda Racesafe crew for some preventative medical treatment. "Mark the Physio" was up to the task and helped Simon to relieve some of the discomfort he was suffering after race one. Race 2 was a cracker at the front of the field. Both Jon and Simon pushed each other hard all the way to the finish line. On the final lap both riders went under the existing lap record set back on the 1st May 2005 by Ben Archibald. Setting the new lap record at a 1.35.551 (two tenths under the existing lap record) Simon closely followed Jon over the the line just 0.522 seconds behind and some 30 seconds clear of 3rd place. Simon and the Finson Yamaha Team were very pleased with the result not only to Simons' riding but to the great Dunlop Tyres.

Race 3
Race 3 proved to be the most exciting race of the weekend. Track temperature was very warm at almost 46 degrees. Simon had great start and by turn 4 had passed Jon before putting his head down in an attempt to create a lead. On the last lap Simon was overtaken by Jon just as the last lap board was displayed. Simon pushed Jon, with neither wanting to succumb to second place. Simon passed Jon again on the entry into turn 2 only to run wide on the exit allowing Jon back into the lead. Jon held onto the lead and crossed the finish line just 0.398 seconds ahead of Simon. Both riders broke the existing lap record (set in the earlier morning race) on their final lap. The Finson Yamaha Team were very pleased with the results of the weekend placing Simon 2nd overall and 2nd in the Australian Nakedbike Championship for 2006.

Simon's Comments
"I am very pleased with our results both today and for the Championship. This proves what I have been saying all year long. The 2006 Yamaha FZ-1 is an excellent overall package both on and off the race track".

The Finson Yamaha Team would like to thank all of their fantastic sponsors that have supported their efforts this season. A special mention must also go to Mick Carruthers, Ian Irving, Simon Arnold, Graeme Kuhn and the best Dyno people in Sydney at Cambeltown Motorcycles for all of their late nights and 'Never Say Die' attitude. Also a very big thank you to Cheryl Muldoon, Bruce Alfred and the entire unsung hero's at Yamaha Motor Company in NSW.