Stauffer kicked off day one of ASBK action on top

September 30, 2016

Tensions were high as competitors arrived to a wet Winton Motor Raceway this morning to kick in to gear the grand finale round of the 2016 Yamaha Motor Finance Australian Superbike Championship presented by Motul Pirelli, and with every class still up for grabs today’s practices would prove vital.

Over three practice sessions today a total of seven classes had the opportunity to converge on Winton Motor Raceway before the battle heats up tomorrow. Although a wet track, it didn’t deter riders as times were fast and competitive.

Yamaha Motorcycle Insurance Superbikes:

Light showers littered the first practice session of the premier Superbike category, Yamaha Motorcycle Insurance Superbike class, who were given three opportunities for track time over three 25-minute practice sessions today, before qualifying tomorrow.

Crankt Protein Honda Racing Team’s Troy Herfoss had clearly perfected his wet weather set up at the Official ASBK Testing Days last week, once again dominating in speed with a 1:36.062 around this 3km circuit. Teammate Crankt Protein Honda rider Jamie Stauffer (1:37.568) also quick on the newly resurfaced track putting himself in second on the time sheets, but there was no absence of Yamaha’s in the top three with Yamaha Racing Team’s Glenn Allerton (1:38.965) clearly on the pace from the get go finishing third.

Yamaha Racing Team’s Wayne Maxwell was a noticeable absentee from the first practice session opting to by-pass the less than ideal weather conditions.

It wasn’t until after lunch that the YMI Superbikes went back out on track for their second practice session of the weekend. Their second session saw weather conditions improve as the likes of DesmoSport Ducati’s Mike Jones, Next Gen Motorsport’s Sloan Frost and YRT’s Glenn Allerton all taking turns on top. The consistent reduction in times as the track began to dry in areas, meant the top spot couldn’t be determined until the conclusion of the session with Maxwell, Allerton, Herfoss and Stauffer vying for the top times every lap.

The conclusion of the session saw Stauffer lock in the fastest time of a 1:33.679 before anyone, Allerton only .2 of a second behind with a 1:33.849. Maxwell sat in third for his first practice session of the day with a 1:34.251.

There was no risking the wet weather conditions today with so much at stake for the factory teams, and there was already five minutes on the clock before the first bike of DM Racing’s Peter Berry hit the track. It wasn’t until the 20-minute mark that Berry was joined by teammate Livson TBR’s Nathan Spiteri. An appearance after the 15-minute mark was made by Knobby underwear Suzuki’s Brayden Elliott, Jones and Stauffer. Stauffer knocked the times down to a 1:45.930 in the wet, but his time from the second session saw him remain the fastest man of the day heading in to tomorrow’s two qualifying sessions, and Pirelli Superpole.

Motul Supersport:

Despite the wet and rainy conditions ten riders hit the track this morning ready to lay rubber in three practice sessions throughout the day. Although not all of the field took to the track it was Cube Racing’s Robbie Menzies who blitz to the top of the time sheets first up. However, Banhams WA Racing’s Sam Clarke found his form towards the end of the session to take top spot from Menzies with a time of 1:46.982. Cube Racing’s Callum Spriggs was just behind with a 1:48.845, unfortunately the pace couldn’t be held by Menzies, finishing with a 1:52.711 lap time in third fastest position.

The second session saw paces increase for the Motul Superport riders, as the top spot changed dramatically within the first 5 minutes with Next Gen Motorsport’s Ted Collins, Menzies and Spriggs all taking their turn at the top, on their hot laps. A crash mid-session saw bikes return to the pits, but when the session resumed it was Menzies who stamped his authority with a 1:43.325. Clarke (1:44.846) and Spriggs (1:45.238) sat in second and third respectively, with one session to go.

As the realisation sunk in that this would be the final practice session, before it was straight in to qualifying tomorrow, expectations were heightened. A semi dry track provided one last opportunity for competitors to try bike set up and to pinch the fastest time. The final 25 minutes on the clock displayed some intense time chasing with Clarke once again steeling the top spot after a 1:34.895 lap time, making him the fastest man today. Menzies (1:36.988) and JNL Racing’s Luke Mitchell (1:37.342) rounded out the last session in second and third respectively.

Honda Moto3/125GP:

The only bike to surface on track this morning was current championship points leader Bryan Houghton on his number 17 machine. Houghton finished the session with a final time of 2 minutes and 13.925 seconds, making use of a free track to learn.

Conditions were less than ideal by the time the Honda Moto/125GP class were on track with rain joining them for their second session of the day. For Houghton, who was now joined on track by his fellow competitors, his second session was not as productive, as Suss Custom’s Matt Barton and LKI’s Locky Taylor surfaced as one and two in P2 today, with a 1:55.696 and 2:00.775 lap times respectively.

It was early afternoon when the Honda Moto3/125GP competitors headed back out on track for their final session of the day. Only his second appearance to the ASBK this year, but not unfamiliar on a Moto 3 machine was Barton who once again pulled a quickest time of 1:53.170. Taylor clutching to keep his position managed a 1:54.309 seeing him cement the second quickest time. The lady, Tayla Relph showed her name on the timing sheets in third after posting a 1:55.452 time, and today it was Barton who was undeniable quickest in the bunch.

Akrapovic Production:

This morning the Akrpovic production class were first to hit the cold tarmac as practice kicked in to gear. Only a dabble of the field went out first thing, contemplating the weather and the track conditions. Ipone’s Reid Battye posted the quickest time in the wet this morning with a 1:57.901. Race Centre’s Drew Sells posting the second fastest time of 2:00.029.

The rain had set in as the Akrapovic Production riders surfaced once again for their second practice session of the day. Track temperature was set at 13.1 degrees making it tricky to find grip and lay fast laps, however despite YRD’s Callum Alderson leading for majority of the session, with 30 seconds left on the clock, it was Battye who excelled with a 1:54.110 lap time. Sam Condon also pinching second with a 1:55.019, leaving Alderson third with a 1:55.278 time.

There was no escaping the weather, the final session again declared wet. Cube Racing’s Tom Toparis showed his time at Winton the previous week was valuable as he once again was hot on the pace. Toparis (1:45.686) finished the session in front of current championship points leader 2 Thugs Customs’ Brandon Demmery who finished with a time of 1:48.464, Toparis the fastest man of the day. Battye who finished the first and second sessions in front was relegated to third with a time of 1:51.772.

YMF R3 Cup:

Today marked the final practice sessions this year for the newly formed YMF R3 Cup class, with the first year almost under the belt for these competitors. For their first session out on track the sun was shining sporadically as YRD’s Callum Alderson spun his wheels and put in motion the fastest lap time of 1:51.625. Despite a charge for times Aiden Hayes finished second with a time of 1:58.005, and Michael King (2:03.873) finished third.

Unfortunately, for these competitors they weren’t as lucky as showers interrupted their second session of the day. Alderson once again showing he was not fazed by the rain increased his speed to a 1:50.359. Aiden Hayes remained five seconds off the pace 1:55.144, while Michael King also almost five second off Hayes’ pace with a 2:00.154.

The heaviest rain fall Winton had seen all day fell over the final session for the YMF R3 Cup, only eight riders deciding to brave the gloomy conditions. Alderson (1:57.926) although decreasing his pace due to weather still managed to remain on top, seeing him as the fastest man today for the R3 Cup. Hayes and Puma RV’s Zac Levy punching out times of 1:58.974 and 1:59.470 respectively.

Club Challenge – Hartwell Stars of Tomorrow:

The Hartwell Stars of Tomorrow class saw some of Victoria’s most up and coming riders hit the track for their first national road racing appearance. 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 and they all sped off in a rumble of machines.

The first practice session saw MM Painting’s Douglas Bloomer and Steve Willmott in first and second positions respectively with a 1:51.771 and 1:52.454. Jamie Kennett finished the first session in third. The second session saw a change in conditions, with the track beginning to dry, Bloomer (1:42.029) and Willmott (1:42.948) once again carried significant pace compared to the rest of the field, while SBC Grafics’ Adrian Forde (1:48.496) increased his pace from session one.

The third and final session of the Hartwell Stars of Tomorrow saw Adrian Forde topping the time sheets with a 1:57.124 lap time. Emmanouil Ntaras on his BMW S 1000 R machine was second taking his position with a 1:58.007 time and Jamie Kennett despite a crash in the same session was third 2:01.054.

GP Juniors:

It was just before lunch that the GP Juniors got a taste of what the Australian Superbike Championship was all about, hitting a wet Winton Motor Raceway full of enthusiasm and confidence. Spectators and family against the fence to watch the practice session unfold.

Akrapovic Production competitor Reid Battye getting extra track exposure in the GP Juniors class finished the session on top of the times with a 1:57.054 time. Scott Nicholson came second on a lap time of 2:00.861, and just on a second off the pace was jdsMoto’s Joel Kelso producing a fast lap time of 2:01.205.

The last bikes to hit the track this afternoon were the GP Juniors heading out in a cluster of machines on to Winton Motor Raceway. With the track temperature cooling dramatically from their first session this morning, the pace was slightly under from this morning’s times. Nicholson finished on top with a 2:01.571 time. Luke Power (2:05.447) and Kelso (2:05.941) finishing second and third respectively for the final session of the day.

Tomorrow will see the start of racing for some of our Championship classes and also see some dramatic and tense qualifying session’s for day two of the 2016 Yamaha Motor Finance Australian Superbike Championship presented by Motul Pirelli at Winton Motor Raceway this weekend.

For more information on Round 6 of the ASBK, head to www.asbk.com.au or for a full list of results from today’s practice sessions, head to www.computime.com.au.

Don’t forget that this Sunday October 2, the ASBK will be bringing all the action LIVE to your computer, smartphone or tablet – all you have to do is click the button below to catch all the action!