Maxwell Dominates ASBK Superbike Practice
July 7, 2017
Yamaha Motorcycle Insurance (YMI) Superbike class rider, Victorian Wayne Maxwell (Yamaha Racing Team, YZF-R1) displayed phenomenal pace throughout all three Friday practice sessions at Hidden Valley Raceway, Darwin, NT. The Yamaha mounted rider established himself over the field and posted the fastest time of the day for the Yamaha Motor Finance Australian Superbike Championship presented by Motul Pirelli (ASBK).
With the tropical heat and strong sun beating down on the pristine Hidden Valley Raceway circuit, all eyes were on the premier Australian Superbike class to see which rider could establish himself as the front-runner in today’s practice sessions ahead of the all-important Qualifying sessions tomorrow. Maxwell’s time to beat was 1:06.040, set in the third and final Practice session of the day.
Despite posting the fastest time of the day, Maxwell is sure to come under pressure for the upcoming qualifying sessions and races. Plenty of other riders showcased impressive lap times close behind the Yamaha mounted rider.
South Australian Daniel Falzon (JD Racing, Yamaha YZF-R1) was in second position on the timesheets after a blistering 1:06.275 also set in P3.
With an encouraging time of 1:06.389, there was very little in it for Mildura (VIC) man Josh Waters (Team Suzuki ECSTAR, GSX-R1000R) who finished the third practice session only a hare’s breath off Falzon’s time.
Yet another category success story is that of Cru Halliday (Yamaha Finance, Yamaha YZF-R1) with his lap time of 1:06.813 posted just before taking an off road excursion in the latter stages of the final Practice.
To round out the top five it would be Bryan Staring (Crankt Protein Honda Racing, Honda CBR1000RR SP2) with a 1:06.834 on board the brand new machine.
Top Ten YMI Superbike Provisional Friday Practice Results
1 Wayne MAXWELL (Yamaha Racing Team, YZF-R1) 1:06.040
2 Daniel FALZON (JD Racing, Yamaha YZF-R1) 1:06.275
3 Josh WATERS (Team Suzuki ECSTAR, GSX-R1000R)1:06.389
4 Cru HALLIDAY (Yamaha Finance, Yamaha YZF-R1) 1:06.813
5 Bryan STARING (Crankt Protein Honda Racing, Honda CBR1000RR SP2) 1:06.834
6 Robert BUGDEN (Kawasaki BCperformance, Kawasaki ZX-10R) 1:06.857
7 Troy HERFOSS (Crankt Protein Honda Racing, Honda CBR1000RR SP2) 1:06.999
8 Corey TURNER (YRD Exhaust Prof, Yamaha YZF-R1) 1:07.072
9 Beau BEATON (Racers Edge Performance, Ducati Panigale 1199) 1:07.142
10 Glenn ALLERTON (Yamaha Racing Team, YZF-R1) 1:07.217
Stay tuned to live timing on asbk.com.au to see whether Maxwell can maintain his brilliant speed in tomorrow’s qualifying sessions, scheduled at 10:55 AM (ACST) for Qualifying One and 2:50 PM for Qualifying Two.
Tickets for Round 4 Hidden Valley Raceway in Darwin are now available for purchase online.
Can’t make it to the track? Then make sure you watch the ASBK, Sunday on channel SBS at 2:30 PM AEST or Live Stream on asbk.com.au from 10:30 AM AEST.
Follow Us: Stay up to date with all the latest news and updates from the ASBK from Round 4 at Hidden Valley Raceway by liking ASBK on Facebook, following the @asbk on Instagram and checking out the ASBK website.
More, from a press release issued by Motorcycling Australia:
Toparis Tops Friday’s ASBK Motul Supersport Practice
July 07, 2017
Day one of the Yamaha Motor Finance Australian Superbike Championship presented by Motul Pirelli (ASBK) was off to a cracking start for practice sessions of the Motul Supersport class. Darwin’s Hidden Valley Raceway provided plenty of blistering lap times and excellent track conditions as certain Supersport riders rose to the fore to record sensational lap times.
The Motul Supersport class is the ASBK’s middleweight sports bike class and traditionally, is the feeder class for the premier Yamaha Motorcycle Insurance (YMI) Superbike class.
With no time to waste, the riders quickly got to business in their first outing of three in total at 9:35am on a picture perfect Darwin day. Competitors quickly taking to the track to acquire valuable data for the critical weekend ahead.
Tom Toparis (Cube Racing, Kawasaki ZX6R) was the man of the day on his Kawasaki in Practice Two, lapping the raceway with a blistering 1:09.055, almost a full two tenths of a second faster than the Supersport lap record at Hidden Valley and ahead of Mark Chiodo (Repsol Gas Racing, Triumph 675 R) posting a 1:09.347, Chiodo crashing out in session two. It would be Ted Collins (NextGen Motorsports, Suzuki GSX-R600) to round out the top three. Collins’ fastest lap was a 1:09.631.
There was almost nothing in it for New Zealand rider, Damon Rees (Tony Rees Motorcycles, Honda CBR600RR) who is clearly making the most of the long trip ‘across the ditch’, nipping at Collins’ heels posting a 1:09.743.
Chris Quinn (Coopers HXR, Yamaha YZF-R6) rounded out the top five with a 1:09.832.
Local man Sam Lambert (Addicted to Track, Yamaha YZF-R6) appears to be incredibly confident around Hidden Valley Raceway and will likely be a force to be reckoned with for tomorrow’s qualifying sessions, with the home track advantage.
Qualifying One (Q1) for the Motul Supersport Championship is scheduled for 9.50 AM (ACST) local time on Saturday, with Q2 due to take place at 1:40 PM (ACST).
Top Ten Motul Supersport Provisional Friday Practice Results
1 Tom TOPARIS (Cube Racing, Kawasaki ZX-6R) 1:09 .055
2 Mark CHIODO (Repsol Gas Racing, Triumph 675R) 1:09.347
3 Ted COLLINS (NextGen Motorsports, Suzuki GSX-R600) 1:09.631
4 Damon REES ((Tony Rees Motorcycles, Honda CBR600RR) 1:09.743
5 Chris QUINN (Coopers HXR, Yamaha YZF-R6) 1:09.832
6 Sam LAMBERT (Addicted to Track, Yamaha YZF-R6) 1:09.906
7 Sam MULDOON (Proworx Racing, Kawasaki ZX-6R) 1:09.966
8 Sam CONDON (Bikebiz, Yamaha YZF-R6) 1:10.353
9 Cambridge OLIVIER (Sydney West Riders,Yamaha YZF-R6) 1:10.454
10 Nic LIMINTON (Race Center, Yamaha YZF-R6) 1:10.538
More, from a press release issued by Motorcycling Australia:
Bayliss tops ASBK Hi-Tech Batteries Supersport 300 Practice
July 07, 2017
The Hi-Tec Batteries Supersport 300 class displayed several interesting results during today’s practice sessions. Young gun, Oli Bayilss (Cube Racing, Kawasaki EX 300) was sensational on track, with his best time of 1:18.955 setting the mark for the the ‘Over’ and ‘Up To’ categories of the class.
The Hi-Tec Batteries Supersport 300 contains the most entries of all the ASBK classes, as the lightweight 300cc Supersport class is the perfect way for riders to showcase their upcoming and developing talents on machinery that truly highlights their skill.
The devastatingly fast Bayliss set his fastest time in Practice One. The son of Three Time World Superbike Champion Troy Bayliss, will be looking to channel his one lap pace into a race victory on Sunday, after a mixed weekend at the previous round at Winton. Bayliss also topped his ‘Up to 300’s’ class.
Hot on his heels in second, was Tommy ‘Gun’ Edwards (Alpinestars) aboard his trusted Yamaha YZF-R3. The former dirt track rider posted a competitive 1:19.389 to keep Bayliss on his toes. Edwards was the lap time leader within the ‘Over 300’ class.
Rounding out the top three, was Billy Van Eerde (KTM Australia, KTM RC-390) in third position on the timesheets. Van Eerde was less than a tenth away from Edwards, a fellow ‘Over 300’ class rider.
Jack Mahaffy (JDS Moto, Yamaha YZF- R3) after an excellent weekend back at Winton rider was caught in a tight timesheets battle with Reid Battye (JDS Moto, Yamaha YZF- R3). The two were separated by less than a tenth of a second. ‘Up to 300’ class rider Battye has been the class leader all season long but hasn’t quite shown his hand just yet. Expect him to up his pace when tomorrow’s all-important Qualifying sessions begin.
Stay tuned to live timing on asbk.com.au. Qualifying One (Q1) of the 2017 Hi-Tec Batteries Supersport 300 Championship is scheduled for 10:25am local time on Saturday, with Q2 due to take place at 1:15pm. Race One for the class will also take place tomorrow at 3:30 PM.
Hi-Tech Batteries Supersport 300 Top 10 Times
1 Oliver BAYLISS (Cube Racing, Kawasaki EX 300) Up TO 1:18.955
2 Tom EDWARDS (Alpinestars, Yamaha YZF-R3) OVER 1:19.389
3 Billy VAN EERDE (KTM Australia, KTM RC-390) OVER 1:19.416
4 Jack MAHAFFY (JDS Moto, Yamaha YZF- R3) OVER 1:19.673
5 Reid BATTYE (DB Racing, Kawasaki EX 300) Up TO 1:19.762
6 Tom BRAMICH (Ron Angel Classic Racing, Yamaha YZF- R3) OVER 1:20.017
7 Max CROKER (KTM Australia, KTM RC-390) OVER 1:20.033
8 Scott NICHOLSON (NextGen Motorsports, Kawasaki EX 300) UP TO 1:20.232
9 Corey BRIFFA (Alex Cudlin M-sports, Yamaha YZF- R3) OVER 1:20.281
10 Ty LYNCH (Adelaide Motorcycle Recovery, Yamaha YZF- R3) OVER 1:20.395
More, from a press release issued by Motorcycling Australia:
Moto 3 & Motorsports NT Challenge Bring the Heat to ASBK
July 07, 2017
Moto 3 / 125GP Friday Practice
The Moto 3 / 125GP class took to the track as part of the Yamaha Motor Finance Australian Superbike Championship presented by Motul Pirelli (ASBK), for the first time in 2017 in today’s Practice sessions. Competitors were determined to set themselves up for a strong weekend in the Darwin heat. It was Joel Kelso of the Deborah Motorsports team (Honda NSFR250) to dominate in class.
Based on the entry-level category featured in the MotoGP World Championship, Moto 3 is made up of the purpose built Yamaha, Honda, and Aprilia race bikes. With their lightweight frames and the ability to be more technically modified than in other road race categories, Moto 3 is a great addition to ASBK Round 4.
Competitors relished in the optimal track conditions all day, and it was Kelso who was fastest, with a 1:15.831 time, to place in front of his rival Dylan Whiteside (Aussie Crane Trucks, Honda NSFR250). Kelso dominated the opening two sessions but still managed to maintain the fastest overall time in class, despite being edged out in the final practice.
In second position it was Victorian rising star Whiteside after an impressive performance. He registered a time of 1:16.062. Whiteside posted his fastest lap time in the final session of the day.
Slotting into third position was 15-year-old South Australian, Dallas Skeer (Penrite Oils, Honda NSFR250) with a 1:16:918.
In fourth, the very talented Taran Ocean rode well to post a time of 1:19:983. Ross Taylor rounded out the top five after he achieved a respectable lap time of 1:20.136.
With the practice sessions concluded for Moto 3 / 125GP, tune into asbk.com.au to see how the class fares in Qualifying One at 9:25 AM (ACST), Qualifying Two at 11:55 AM and Race One at 15:55 – the final session on Saturday.
Moto 3 / 125GP Provisional Friday Practice Results
1 Joel KELSO (Deborah Motorsports, Honda NSFR250) 1:15.831
2 Dylan WHITESIDE (Aussie Crane Trucks, Honda NSFR250) 1:16.062
3 Dallas SKEER (Penrite Oils, Honda NSFR250) 1:16.918
4 Taran OCEAN (Keith Ogilvie, Honda RS125) 1:19.983
5 Ross TAYLOR (GDR, Honda NSFR250) 1:20.136
6 Scott TOPPING (B-spoke Design, Honda RS125) 1:20.198
7 David DOUGHTY (Fastline GPRacing, Aprilia RS125) 1:20.407
8 Mark LAING-HUGHES (Yamaha TZ125) 1:22.311
9 Nick MATHIAS (Fastline GPRacing, Honda RS125) 1:25.432
10 Peter McFARLANE (Honda RS125) 1:27.976
Motorsports NT Club Challenge Friday Practice
The Motorsports NT Club Challenge class saw several of Darwin’s up and coming rider talents hit the track for practice. Waiting at the gate before the green flag waved to mark their practice session, anticipation to get out on the circuit was in the air as they sped off in a rumble. Riders all enjoyed favourable and hot track conditions that made for fascinating results.
Warwick Price (Yamaha YZF-R6) shone brilliantly by topping Friday practice for the Motorsports NT Club Challenge. Price set the fastest lap in Practice Three to make the Challenge paddock sit up and take notice at Hidden Valley Raceway. Price will be looking to put himself in prime position for this weekend’s racing. His fastest lap was a 1:16.638.
In second position behind Price was Douglas Clark (Suzuki GSX-R1000). Clark seemed well on course to dominate today’s preceding’s but did not post a lap in the final practice session. Clark’s fastest lap was a 1:17.071, approximately four tenths behind.
In third position was Matt Edwards (Triumph Daytona 675R). The Triumph mounted rider finished a further eight tenths behind Clark with a laptime of 1:17.839.
Fourth belonged to Patrick Hamon (Triumph Daytona 675R). Hamon sat out the first and third practice sessions. With his lack of track time, there could be pace left in the tank for Hamon. His best time was a 1:18.798.
To round out the top five, was Peter Troon on his Yamaha R6. Troon competed in every session to finish with a fastest of 1:19:059.
Stay tuned to live timing on asbk.com.au to see whether Price can maintain his brilliant speed in tomorrow’s qualifying sessions for the Motorsports NT Club Challenge.
Motorsports NT Club Challenge Provisional Friday Practice Results
1 Warwick PRICE (Yamaha YZF-R6) 1:16.638
2 Douglas CLARK (Suzuki GSX-R1000) 1:17.071
3 Matt EDWARDS (Triumph Daytona 675R) 1:17.839
4 Patrick HAMON (Yamaha YZF-R6) 1:18.798
5 Peter TROON (Yamaha YZF-R6) 1:19.059
6 Bradley LE SUER (Ducati 998) 1:20.985
7 Nunzio META (Suzuki GSX-R600) 1:21.345
8 Andre STEENBERG (BMW S1000RR) 1:21.621
9 Robert CLARKE (Triumph Daytona 675R) 1:25.058
10 Merrawyn ROGERS (Suzuki GSX-R600) 1:35.074
More, from a press release issued by DesmoSport Ducati:
SATISFYING START FOR DESMOSPORT DUCATI’S SPRIGGS IN DARWIN
Queensland newcomer Callum Spriggs set the 11th fastest time during today’s opening day of Australian Superbike Championship practice at Hidden Valley Raceway in the Northern Territory.
The 23-year-old gradually upped his pace throughout the three Free Practice sessions on Friday to eventually register a 1m07.717s lap-time in FP3 this afternoon.
With temperatures hovering over 30 degrees throughout today’s proceedings, Spriggs completed 42 laps throughout practice and is set for a strong day of qualifying tomorrow on-board the factory-supported 1299 Panigale S.
“Today was really good, the team has been working hard and we moved forward in every single session, so I was happy with how it ended up at the end of the day,” Spriggs said. “I was hoping to get into the top 10, which we almost did, and I got into the 1m07s so that was good!
“It’s definitely a good feeling after that last session to reach my target, so the plan is to hopefully keep improving tomorrow, get a little bit quicker and try to get onto the first three rows. I’ll be trying my best and am looking forward to getting back on the bike.”
Team co-owner Ben Henry, who is partners with triple Superbike World Championship winner Troy Bayliss in the DesmoSport Ducati organisation, said it was a satisfying way to commence the Darwin race weekend.
“It was a good start to the weekend and Cal’s definitely finding his feet,” Henry commented. “We’ve definitely been in worse positions than this, that’s for sure, so the aim is to carry this momentum into qualifying and keep it going. The bike has been performing well, so hopefully we can move forward even further tomorrow.”
The opening 30-minute qualifying session for the premier Superbike class is scheduled for Saturday at 10:55am local time, with session two taking off from 2:50pm. Visit www.asbk.com.au for further information on the series.
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