Australian Superbike Championship
Phillip Island GP Circuit
Victoria, Australia
February 26, 2016
Provisional Qualifying Results:
1. Wayne Maxwell, Australia (Yam YZF-R1), 1:33.102
2. Troy Herfoss, Australia (Hon CBR1000RR SP), 1:33.198
3. Mike Jones, Australia (Duc Panigale), 1:33.288
4. Jamie Stauffer, Australia (Hon CBR1000RR SP), 1:33.313
5. Glenn Allerton, Australia (Yam YZF-R1), 1:33.565
6. Daniel Falzon, Australia (Yam YZF-R1), 1:33.944
7. Cru Halliday, Australia (Yam YZF-R1), 1:34.009
8. Brayden Elliott, Australia (Suz GSX-R1000), 1:34.441
9. Ben Burke, Australia (Kaw ZX-10R), 1:34.633
10. Robbie Bugden, Australia (Kaw ZX-10R), 1:34.690
28. Patricia Fernandez, USA (Suz GSX-R1000), 1:41.628
More, from a press release issued by Motorcycling Australia:
Yamaha’s Maxwell takes first ASBK pole for 2016
26 February 2016
Another sunny afternoon at Phillip Island saw competitors of the Yamaha Motor Finance Australian Superbike Championship presented by Motul Pirelli, go head to head for the first and only qualifying session for Round 1 of the ASBK.
The Yamaha Motorcycle Insurance Superbike Class qualifying got off to a halted start with the session red flagged due to a crash, forcing a restart. When the Superbikes returned to the track, Team Yamaha’s Wayne Maxwell claimed pole position leading the pack with a lap time of 1:33.102.
“To claim the first pole of the 2016 Yamaha Motor Finance Australian Superbike Championship it fantastic for myself and the guys at Team Yamaha,” he said.
“At the start there was a lot of traffic around. When I came in at the red flag I noticed Troy (Herfoss) was just in front of me, we made a small change to the bike and went back out – luckily I was able to get a bit of a clear lap and was just be able to pip Troy for the first pole position of the year.
“I am really happy to start off the year competitive. It’s pretty difficult to come to this race track with no testing, not having ridden the race bike since December last year, and to come here and claim pole is pretty cool.”
Maxwell’s pole position wasn’t without competition, as Craknt Protein Honda Racing’s Troy Herfoss fought through traffic to claim a close second with a 1:33.198 lap time, while world Superbike wildcard competitor, and defending ASBK Champion DesmoSport Ducati’s’ Mike Jones concluded the session taking third position on tomorrow’s grid with a 1:33.288.
With a strong pack leading the Australian Supersport field, it was young Troy Guenther who came in strong to claim pole position with a 1:37.569.
“It feels really good to claim the first pole position for the ASBK Championship. The team from Edge Performance and Graffiti Alley Racing have put in a lot of effort behind the scenes to get the bike to this stage for Round 1,”
“I am feeling quite good for the race tomorrow, the bike set up is good on the Yamaha and I really just can’t wait!
“I positioned myself quite well thanks to the team and we managed to have a fair bit of clear track, which really helped. The Pirelli tyres are holding up really good considering the conditions that Phillip Island is throwing at us this weekend and I have no doubt they’ll be able to do the same tomorrow in the race.”
Mark Chiodo on his Repsol Triumph Machine was hot on Guenther’s tail with a 1:37.872 fast lap, which secured him second position on the Supersport grid. Claiming third qualifying position ahead of racing tomorrow was Kyle Buckley with a 1:38.039.
In the Moto 3/125GP category, Suus Customs Matt Barton swept through the field pulling together an impressive lap time of 1:44.844 walking away from the session with pole position. Locky Taylor was just shy of Barton’s pace, finishing in second with a best session time of 1:45.168. Brian Houghton, fastest in both practice sessions yesterday and today, finished qualifying with a 1:45.442 lap, and secured third position on the Moto 3/125GP grid for tomorrow.
Period 5/6 were the final category to qualify this afternoon, with Dean Oughtred, taking pole position (1:41.709) improving on his lap time from this morning’s practice session. However Oughtred’s pole wasn’t won without pressure – Marty Craggill finishing in second with a 1:42.219 lap, while Craig Ditchburn concluded the final qualifying session of the day in third (1:42.489).
To keep up to date with all the latest results from this weekend, follow ASBK on Facebook or head to www.asbk.com.au.
More, from a press release issued by Crankt Protein Honda Racing Team:
Crankt Protein Honda Racing Kicks off 2016 at World Superbike Event
26th February 2016 – The season opener of the Australian Superbike Championship (ASBK) is underway at the World Superbike Event and looks set to be a fantastic weekend of racing.
The ASBK support races boast an extremely competitive field this year with the top Australian Superbike riders battling it out on track for the national title.
Crankt Protein Honda Racing riders, #17 Troy Herfoss and #27 Jamie Stauffer are determined to begin their season strongly onboard the CBR1000RR SP and will utilize today’s practice sessions to set themselves up to do just that.
Both Honda riders are on the pace at Phillip Island after two practice sessions so far. Just 9 tenths of a second separates the top 7 riders making the challenge for Pole position in this afternoon’s qualifying session definitely one worth watching.
Crankt Protein Honda Racing Team Principal, Paul Free is excited to get the season started, saying “It is fantastic to kick the race season off at the World Superbike Championship event. The motivation to win gets a definite boost when you are surrounded by not just Australia’s best, but the world’s best Superbike riders. Both Troy and Jamie are fit, focused and ready for the challenge. The CBR1000RR SP is a definite contender for the 2016 title and my team is an extremely professional and experienced group of people. I am really looking forward to getting out there and seeing what the 2016 ASBK season holds.”