Peter Martin riding the Sportsbike - ducationly.com Ducati 999S has finished 6th in the Australian Superbike Pro-Twins Championship 2008 and 4th in the Privateer Championship. Martin has succeeded in achieving his goal of 6th or better in his return to racing after 4 years off due to injury.

Going into the final round at Sydney's Eastern Creek Raceway Martin was assured of at least 6th position, so moving higher in the Championship was the objective. This in the end was not without significant challenge as Martin experienced electrical problems during Practice and a crash ruled him out of race 1. This recorded his first DNF of the Season followed by 6th & 7th place finishes in the two remaining races of the Championship.

Craig McMartin had already secured the title for a record 8th time, Craig was there to supervise proceedings as a crash at the recent MotoGP at Phillip Island ruled him out of racing. The final Points: Craig McMartin (Ducati 1098S) won the Championship with 400pts followed by Daniel Wheeler 2nd (Ducati 1098S – 368pts), Mick Johnston 3rd (Ducati 1098S – 344pts), Richard Liminton 4th (Ducati 1098S – 300pts), Damian Sutton 5th (Ducati 1098S – 282pts), Peter Martin 6th (Ducati 999 - 244pts), Mark Rogers 7th (Aprilia RSV1000 - 157pts), Stephen Hopper 8th (Ducati 1098S - 131pts), Paul Radford 9th (Aprilia RSV1000 - 89pts) and Simon Chapman 10th (Ducati 1098S – 49pts). Peter Martin finished fourth in the Privateers Championship and was the highest placed non Ducati 1098 rider in the field.

Rider Comments:
"I am pleased to have achieved my season objective of 6th or better in the Championship and I know I can ride better. The last round was tough, it went from difficult to frustrating to worse and then average. I went into it knowing that no one could take 6th from me and that I could still improve depending on how I raced and on how others fared. A motor rebuild delayed my usual preparation, that in the end was costly as I spent the two Practice sessions on Friday chasing Electrical issues and not working my times down. In Saturday's Race one on the Gidding Lap, I had the throttle stick open on the exit of Turn 11 and ran out of track trying to gain control. The bike fell on my left knee in the crash and with no foot rest or Clutch Lever I could not make the start. That was the first DNS (or DNF) this season and ruled out any improvement in my overall position. With the valuable assistance of Mike King and Steve Drury, the bike was repaired in time for Sundays Races."

"After Sunday Morning clearance by the Racesafe Medical Team I was determined to finish the last two races. There was now little chance of improving my position so I rode the best I could considering the bike and my own condition. It was not easy and the satisfaction of finishing 6th in my return season was not fully enjoyed at the time."

"My appreciation goes to all the riders in the 2008 Pro-Twins Championship and the fans who support Twins racing. This is a great class to race in - a tough and exciting Australian Championship. High quality riders, where respect is evident and no quarter given on the track, yet every form of support to be competitive is given when someone needs help. It's my idea of a big family yet it is a family that must get larger for next year. I invite anyone with a twin or triple, or riders wanting to start racing to put aside their even reasonable reservations and come racing with us in 2009."

NEXT: To sell the Ducati 999S as a race, track or road bike then plan season 2009.