YRT Set to Continue ASBK Assault in 2017
January 06, 2017
Yamaha Racing Team (YRT) has formally announced their intent to contest the 2017 Australian Superbike Championship (ASBK) with Wayne Maxwell and Glenn Allerton returning to the series, spearheading the blue and white high speed assault.
The timely news came this morning as ASBK contenders gear up for the official Phillip Island test day at the end of the month, where team mechanics and riders will work through their final setups on the 2017 machinery as last minute tweaks and shake-downs occur.
Both Glenn Allerton and Wayne Maxwell are considered masters of the mighty full-litre bikes, as 2016 was a highly successful year for the R1 mounted Yamaha Racing Team duo, who finished the championship comfortably on the final podium.
Allerton excitedly said of the continuing alliance; “We have gone back and analysed our seasons with a view of what we can do better in 2017. I feel that we are going down the right path to correct some of the issues that we had last year, and most importantly, I feel really confident on the Yamaha YZF-R1M. The testing we did at the end of 2016 was invaluable and my feel on the bike was excellent. My lap times were good, my confidence grew and the entire team is excited about going racing in 2017,” Allerton ended.
Wayne Maxwell shared his one-eyed determination on the announcement, adding; “With riders, teams and even privateers stepping up their game, 2017 promises to be a tough year with a great level of racing and professionalism both on and off the track. There will be a new race format and it will take more than just a few fast laps to win a round or a championship. I look forward to the new challenges and will prepare myself better than I ever have before. The team have shown their commitment and its time we rewarded them with some championship success,” Maxwell concluded.
Happy with the recipe and in a ‘side-bar’ announcement, YRT principal John Redding said that “Both Glenn and Wayne are motivated for success and they see the effort we have gone to and that reflects in their own preparations as both riders have stepped up their own programs for 2017. The addition of Yamalube is great for the team and for Yamaha as their product knowledge is unsurpassed and together we can only build on what is an already fantastic product”. He surmised.
The first round of the 2017 Australian Superbike Championship kicks off February 24th – 26th at Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit. For further information about the round and ASBK, do not hesitate heading to www.asbk.com.au and by following the ASBK Facebook & Instagram pages
The 2017 ASBK calendar:
Round 1: 24th – 26th February (WSBK Support Classes), Phillip Island Grand Prix
Round 2: 17th – 19th March, Wakefield Park, NSW
Round 3: 28th – 30th April, Winton Motor Raceway, VIC
Round 4: TBA
Round 5: 25th – 27th August, Morgan Park Raceway, QLD
Round 6: 8th – 10th September, Sydney Motor Sport Park, NSW
Round 7: 6th – 8th October, Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit, VIC