ASBK 2013 – Round Four – Sydney Motorsports Park
— ASBK returns to Sydney for double-header
Next weekend’s double-header round of the QBE Australian Superbike Championship at Sydney Motorsport Park will hold special meaning for two of the series biggest contenders.
For Superbike championship leader Glenn Allerton, it is the first time in four years that an event has been hosted in his hometown while for Troy Herfoss; it will mark a return to the series after 12 months in Europe contesting the IDM German Superbike Championship.
Allerton, who takes a 15-point lead into the double-header event, will be hard to beat at his home track. The NextGen Motorsports rider has topped the timesheets in every session bar one this season.
A successful two-day test at Sydney Motorsport Park earlier this week leaves Allerton confident he won’t endure the same ECU issue that forced him to the teams spare BMW S1000RR in the final race at Queensland Raceway.
“I am really happy with how our test went,” Allerton said. “The track probably wasn’t in perfect condition for setting an ultimate lap time but we were still able to work through some of the issues we had and make gains.
“We now know that an engine sensor caused the ECU issue in Queensland so to make sure we don’t end up in the same situation we will replace that part more regularly.
“This is my home event, it will be an advantage in the fact that I get to go home and sleep in my own bed. On the flipside of the coin there is also more pressure to do well in front of friends and family,” Allerton continued
The dual round will also see the return of 2010 Australian Supersport Champion Troy Herfoss to the series.
Herfoss, who will pilot a WNR Kawasaki ZX-6R in the Motul Supersport class has confirmed he will also be on the grid for the Moto GP support races ahead of a full season in 2014.
The AMA Supermoto Champion and X-Games silver medalist said he was looking forward to making a return to the QBE Australian Superbike Championship with WNR Kawasaki.
“I am really looking forward to riding for WNR Kawasaki next weekend,” Herfoss said.
“We have the same goals and we are currently working on plan for 2014 that will include the addition of a junior rider.
“You don’t race at this level just to fill the grid. I’m racing because I believe I can win. Obviously we have to see what both mine and the bike’s level is, but I am not going into the weekend to make up the numbers.”
The New South Welshman, won eight races on his way to taking the 2010 title and finished third in the Australian Superbike class in 2011.
Rounds 4 and 5 of the QBE Australian Superbike Championship will be held at Sydney Motorsport Park on August 1-4.
QBE Australian Superbike Championship Championship Standings
1. Glenn ALLERTON (NSW), 94
2. Wayne MAXWELL (VIC) , 80
3. Robert BUGDEN (QLD), 79
4. Josh HOOK (NSW) , 67
5. Jamie STAUFFER (NSW), 66
6. Glenn SCOTT (NSW), 54
7. Beau BEATON (NSW) , 49
8. Linden MAGEE (QLD), 43
9. Phil LOVETT (NSW), 38
10. Ben HENRY (QLD), 34
Motul Supersport Championship Standings
1. Daniel FALZON (SA), 80pts
2. Ryan TAYLOR (VIC), 72pts
3. Chris QUINN (NSW) , 71pts
4. Michael BLAIR (NSW), 65pts
5. Aaron MORRIS (NSW), 57pts
6. Aiden WAGNER (QLD), 52pts
7. Callum SPRIGGS (QLD) , 51pts
8. Alastair HOOGENBOEZEM (NZ), 45pts
9. Luke BURGESS (QLD), 44pts
10. Brendan CLARKE (QLD), 43pts
Previously…..
— ASBK 2013 – Round Three – Queensland Raceway – Bugden victorious on home soil
Brisbane rider Robbie Bugden has won the third round of the QBE Australian Superbike Championship at Queensland Raceway today.
The Volvo Trucks Suzuki rider won the dramatic final 17-lap Superbike race ahead of teammate Wayne Maxwell and Team Honda Racing’s Josh Hook.
The round win is Bugden’s first in the premier class and he said he was thrilled to achieve it at his home event.
“The weekend turned out better than I had hoped to be honest,” Bugden said. “We have been building momentum ever since the test and today we proved the Suzuki is every bit as good as any bike out there.
“To take the race and round win at my home track, in front of my friends and family is something I will remember for a long time.”
Championship leader Glenn Allerton won the opening race of the day but a problem the ECU on the #14 HP41000 R saw him start the race on his spare bike and from the rear of the grid.
The NextGen Motorsports rider, who stormed through the field to sit fourth at the end of the opening lap, looked poised to strike the top three but was forced to back off when he ran out of front brake.
Allerton finished the round second, tied on points with Bugden and retains his lead in the QBE Australian Superbike Championship.
“That is the one that got away,” Allerton said. I had a problem with the ECU on the warm-up lap which couldn’t be fixed in the five minute window that you have so I had to go to the spare bike,
“I had such a big go at the start, I ended up over doing it on the front brake so in the end I had to give the boys some room as I didn’t want to run into the back of them.
“We have the best package going at the moment and I am going to go to Eastern Creek like a bull at a gate as it is my home event,” he added.
Team Honda Racing’s Jamie Stauffer put in a stoic effort to finish fifth overall while Cube Racing’s Ben Henry was left rueing a tough weekend after walking away from a spectacular crash in the final race.
Michael Blair took a clean sweep of the Motul Supersport races and claimed the round win ahead of Ryan Taylor and championship leader Daniel Falzon.
“It was a good weekend the bike was really strong in both races today,” Blair said.
“I started from the inside which played to my advantage. I could get the inside starts and try and get out there and control the race for as long as I could.
“A couple of times the boys got in front of me but I was able to out brake them and get back in front,” Blair explained.
Polesitter Chris Quinn finished just off the podium in fourth and sits third in the champsionship standings 6 points ahead of Blair.
Matt Walters took his second consecutive Prostock round victory after winning today’s two 10-lap races. Kawasaki rider Ben Bourke and NextGen Motorsports Ben Nicolson rounded out the podium.
Walters extended his lead in the 2013 Championship and now sits 33 points ahead of Nicolson in the standings.
Over 350 riders took part in the inaugural ASBK Charity ride and collectively raised over $8000.00 for the Starlight Children’s
The next event will see the QBE Australian Superbike Championship return to Sydney Motorsport Park on August 1-4.
QBE Australian Superbike Championship Round 2 Results
1. Robert BUGDEN (QLD), 43
2. Glenn ALLERTON (NSW), 43
3. Wayne MAXWELL (VIC), 40
4. Josh HOOK (NSW), 35
5. Jamie STAUFFER (NSW), 32
6. Chas HERN (VIC), 29
7. Linden MAGEE (QLD), 28
8. Glenn SCOTT (NSW), 27
9. Sloan FROST (NZ), 23
10. Beau BEATON (NSW), 23
QBE Australian Superbike Championship Championship Standings
1. Glenn ALLERTON (NSW), 94
2. Wayne MAXWELL (VIC) , 80
3. Robert BUGDEN (QLD), 79
4. Josh HOOK (NSW) , 67
5. Jamie STAUFFER (NSW), 66
6. Glenn SCOTT (NSW), 54
7. Beau BEATON (NSW) , 49
8. Linden MAGEE (QLD), 43
9. Phil LOVETT (NSW), 38
10. Ben HENRY (QLD), 34
Motul Supersport Round 3 Results
1. Michael BLAIR (NSW), 50pts
2. Ryan TAYLOR (VIC), 38pts
3. Daniel FALZON (SA), 37pts
4. Chris QUINN (NSW), 31pts
5. Aaron MORRIS (NSW), 31pts
6. Kyle BUCKLEY (QLD), 29pts
7. Luke BURGESS (QLD), 26pts
8. Brendan CLARKE (QLD), 25pts
9. Alastair HOOGENBOEZEM (NZ) 24pts
10. Callum SPRIGGS (QLD) 22pts
Motul Supersport Championship Standings
1. Daniel FALZON (SA), 80pts
2. Ryan TAYLOR (VIC), 72pts
3. Chris QUINN (NSW) , 71pts
4. Michael BLAIR (NSW), 65pts
5. Aaron MORRIS (NSW), 57pts
6. Aiden WAGNER (QLD), 52pts
7. Callum SPRIGGS (QLD) , 51pts
8. Alastair HOOGENBOEZEM (NZ), 45pts
9. Luke BURGESS (QLD), 44pts
10. Brendan CLARKE (QLD), 43pts
— Dynotech Maxima BMW Report
NextGen Motorsports have completed yet another highly successful round of the Australian Superbike Championship with series leader Glenn Allerton winning one race and extending his lead in the championship.
Allerton took his now familiar approach to the Saturday qualifying sessions by posting a fast time early and then returning to the pits to see what the field were capable of achieving.
In every session, they were unable to better the two time ASBK champion’s benchmark and the bonus point for pole was his.
For team mate Linden Magee it was his first weekend aboard the potent BMW HP4 and while a period of familiarisation was required, he was still able to qualify fifth.
In race one on Sunday, Allerton took a measured approach to the race, taking the lead from the start and holding off the twin Suzuki charge of Maxwell and Bugden to take the victory by over 3.5 seconds.
For Linden Magee, race one was a busy affair and he diced with Glenn Scott and Beau Beaton ultimately finishing 8th.
There was drama for the NextGen team ahead of the start of race two when a simple issue resulted in Glenn Allerton’s bike going into limp mode on the warm up lap. The team were able to put Glenn on the spare bike and he was forced to start from the rear of the grid.
What followed was one of the more extraordinary first laps of Australian Superbike racing ever. From 15th on the grid, Allerton passed no less than 9 riders. He was passing 2-3 riders into each corner, drawing gasps from the crowd and seasoned ASBK regulars.
The sustained effort required took a heavy toll and the bike’s front brakes faded fast, realising that a podium finish was not possible, Glenn happily settling for fourth with some championship points.
For Linden Magee, a much better start and some small but important changes to the bike saw him finish 6th , beating many riders he’d been dicing with in previous races finishing the weekend on a positive note.
Glenn Allerton Superbike Rider “ I am really happy with what the team and I achieved this weekend, although it didn’t go all our own way. We walked away with a lap record, a race win and a hard fought 4thfrom the back of the grid extending our championship lead. What occurred in Race 2 was unfortunate it can happen to anyone. Mentally its made me more hungrier to work harder and push myself to set the bar even higher then I did this round. I am really looking forward to the next round at my home track at Eastern Creek as I know I am in the best physical condition of my career. I also have the best bike and team behind me. “
Linden Magee Superbike Rider “It was the first time for me on the new BMW HP4 and it took some work to get the set up right. In Race 1 I was disappointed with my start and I left myself too much work to get back with the front runners. With some minor changes, I knew I could be more competitive in Race 2. My start was much better and I remained 5th for most of the race but was pipped at the end by Jamie. It was a massive improvement on race 1 and we took some real positives out of the weekend.
Young Gun Ben Nicolson finished the weekend on a strong note with a podium in the 3rd and final race and finishing with a 3rd overall to move into 2nd position in the Prostock championship.
Ben Nicolson Prostock Rider “….. it was an interesting weekend to say the least. I was unable to get my BMW s1000rr off the line in every race and I had to work extremely hard to get myself back in the race on all occasions. All weekend times were as good as the front runners but I struggle getting the bike off the line which is something I will need to work on between now and the next round. I am glad to move up in the points standing and I am looking forward to the next round at Eastern Creek.
Shane Kinderis Crew Chief: “Well it was almost the perfect weekend . Glenn was absolutely the one to beat all weekend. The BMW hp4 proved just how much of an awesome bike it is. With a new outright track record and a new race record, no one was going to beat Glenn this weekend. Unfortunately a small sensor failure on the warm up lap did more damage than any of the other riders were going to do. Even starting from the back of the grid on his spare bike Glenn still finished fourth !! It was quoted that Glenn got lucky in Tasmania but I honestly think everyone else got lucky today. We look forward to Eastern Creek next and with some more new parts in the pipeline the HP4 will once again be the one to beat.
“I was really proud of the results from Ben Nicolson and Linden Magee. Both were challenged in different ways throughout the weekend but managed to overcome these issues, posting positive outcomes.”
Next Gen Motorsports would like to take the opportunity to thank everyone involved at Queensland Raceway. A special thank you to all our sponsors as without your support we would not be able to make this happen.
— Suzuki Report
Team Volvo Group Suzuki’s Robbie Bugden captured his first-ever Australian Superbike Championship round victory at Queensland Raceway today.
The experienced 32-year-old from Brisbane claimed a convincing race two win aboard the Phil Tainton Racing-prepared GSX-R1000, sealing the overall victory for the round after taking a fighting third in race one.
The opening race saw Team Suzuki’s Wayne Maxwell race to second and Bugden third, before the second 17-lap race of the day was an enthralling affair with Bugden edging-out team-mate Maxwell by just 0.338s in a one-two result for the defending 2013 ASBK Championship-winning team.
Five-time New Zealand Superbike Champion Bugden claimed the overall victory from race one winner Glenn Allerton and Maxwell; and is now third in the points standings after two point-scoring rounds; and just one point behind Maxwell in second.
Said Budgen: “It’s a massive day for me. We’ve been building momentum ever since we tested here and that was the foundation of today’s results. We made some really positive progress with the GSX-R1000, so it’s great to get my first ever Australian Superbike round win. It’s an emotional day to do it here in front of my family and friends. It’s a day I will have fond memories of for a long time to come!”
Maxwell was satisfied with his overall result at Queensland Raceway after a practice crash on Friday proved a minor setback. Team Suzuki worked hard to get him back on track and he was able to reward the crew with its second podium of the round as he raced to a pair of second places.
Said Maxwell: “I couldn’t be happier! Coming away with what’s my worst track on the calendar to finish with 2-2 results is a great result. Full credit to Team Suzuki, the GSX-R1000 is working awesome; and I’m really happy for Robbie to claim the round victory. We’ll move onto some tracks where I’m a bit stronger now and see what we can do for the rest of the season.”
Team Manager Phil Tainton congratulated both Bugden and Maxwell, proud to see the pair continue to challenge for the championship with both speed and consistency in its early stages. Bugden’s race two win to clinch the round was particularly satisfying for Tainton after a longstanding relationship of eight years.
“To win overall and have both riders on the podium is an exceptional result for us this weekend,” said Tainton. “We fought hard all weekend and the last race was just fantastic. It’s really given us enthusiasm for the upcoming rounds and the rest of the season; it really has been a great weekend for all of us here at Team Suzuki.”
The Australian Superbike Championship will resume at Sydney Motorsport Park in New South Wales on August 1-4th in the series’ first appearance at Eastern Creek since 2009.
— Team Honda Report
Team Honda Racing riders, #34 Josh Hook and #27 Jamie Stauffer delighted fans this weekend with a display of strength and determination at Round 3 of the Australian Superbike Championship at Queensland Raceway.
The challenge was set for both Honda riders going into the weekend with Stauffer only beginning to recover from an injury to his pelvis sustained in testing the week before and Hook, new to the Superbike category this season, determined to make his mark at the front of the field. Both Team Honda Racing riders rose to the challenge. Hook took his first podium on a Superbike when he placed 3rd in Race 2 today to finish the event 4th overall. Stauffer took to the motorcycle like the professional he is and rode through the obvious pain to finish both races in 5th place and take 5th overall for the Round.
In Qualifying on Saturday it was evident that Hook had his eye on the front row of the grid, recording the 2nd fastest lap time of the session, a 1:09.201 sec. Hook went on to record a flying lap of the Queensland circuit of 1:08.839 sec in the Superpole shootout, just .129 sec off Pole position to take P4 on the grid for both races.
The injured Stauffer was not far behind his team mate, recording the 5th fastest lap time of the Qualifying session, a 1:09.720 sec and also the final Superpole shootout to secure a very respectable P5 on the grid.
In Race 1 today, Hook took 4th place with a lap time of 1:09.131 sec and once Race 2 had started, it became clear that Josh Hook means to move quickly through the ranks of the Superbike field to challenge the front runners in his maiden season. Hook spent much of Race 2 in 2nd position on the track and hung on until the final few laps, eventually taking 3rd place, his first podium in the Superbike category.
Hook: “It’s fantastic to take my first podium in the Superbike class and I’m really happy with the weekend. My lap times are improving all the time and to be able to start from the front row in just our 2nd event on the Superbike this year is great. Thank you to the team for all the hard work they have been putting in with testing and at the event, they have given me a terrific motorbike and I am really enjoying racing on the CBR1000RR. I am looking forward to more testing and seeing what we can bring to the next race event.”
Stauffer’s plan for the race event was re-written after being injured in testing, but the main goal remained; to get as many points as possible from the event. It was clear that the multiple Australian Champion was struggling with the injury, yet he still took 5th place in both races to finish the event in 5th overall. Stauffer now sits in 5th place in the points standings going into the next event at Sydney Motorsport Park.
Stauffer: “It was a tough weekend for sure, but I did everything I could to ensure I didn’t waste the opportunity to gain more points for the championship. The team have clearly given me a good motorcycle as my strength just wasn’t there as much as usual so to come 5th in both races shows the strength of the Honda CBR1000RR and Team Honda Racing. I am looking forward to recovering properly and getting back out there for the double-header in Sydney.”
Team Honda Racing Team Principle, Paul Free, is proud of the effort put in by both his riders this weekend and will be looking to the double-header at Sydney Motorsport Park in August to secure maximum points.
Free: “Josh rode exceptionally well this weekend and I couldn’t be more pleased with the progress he is making. He can be proud of his first podium this weekend, just the 2nd event this year and he has taken 3rd place. His lap times are impressive and I am really looking forward to seeing him in action in Sydney. Jamie showed what he is made of this weekend. To finish 5th was a solid effort as anyone who has had a pelvic injury would attest to. His focus now has to be on recovery so that he is in top form going into the next event, particularly being a double-header. A big thanks to our team partners, Honda and Oleon Oils for coming out to the track and to all our supporters this weekend.”
— Team InsureMyRide
Team InsureMyRide Racing’s Glenn Scott has claimed the lead in the privateer Championship for the Australian Superbike Championship after another confidence boosting performance in Queensland at the latest round of the series, with a home round coming up, Glenn has some big goals in his sights.
A number of top results across the weekend have been credited to Glenn’s hard work and preparation in the lead up to the event and this showed through in the races across the event.
“Round two of the championship has put a massive smile on my face and given me a huge amount of confidence for the remainder of the championship.
“Our hard work leading up to this round really paid off on Sunday with some fun close racing, we managed to find a good set up on Friday practice with the help of Motologic, this allowed me to really focus on my riding and become one with the bike,” Scott said.
Glenn was able to rise through the field at the start of both races, aswell as to as high as fourth at the start of race two. An exciting duel towards the end of the first race saw Glenn pass Linden Magee on the final corner to take seventh, while a consistent battle with Magee, Jamie Stauffer and Chas Hern in the second race boosted Scott’s confidence saw him rise to fifth before finishing eighth. The results took Glenn to third privateer for the weekend, helping him take the lead in the overall privateer standings.
After a change in the team’s composition since the Symmons Plains event, Team InsureMyRide Racing have now found a hard working group that Glenn believes can bring further success.
“My mechanics, Adam and Dean worked very hard all weekend, the Team InsureMyRide Racing Honda didn’t miss a beat, I really want to thank them and Stephen Mion (Personal trainer) for our success this weekend, it certainly was a team effort.
“There are plenty of positives to take away from this weekend, we are certainly finding our feet as a team in the Australian Superbike paddock and I am excited for the next round of the championship,” Scott added.
With the next round at Sydney Motorsport Park being on home soil for Glenn, he will be out to impress even further, as with his preparation before Queensland Raceway, Scott will be focussed on testing and his own personal preparation in the lead up to the next event.
“I’m more determined than ever to work harder in this month between rounds, we are improving every time we jump on the bike and I can’t wait to get to Sydney to prove we can battle the top five factory boys,” Scott concluded.
Round four and five of the Australian Superbike Championship takes place at Sydney Motorsport Park from 1-4 August.
— Sophie Lovett Report – Sophie wins Round 1 of the Australian Women’s Championship on Ninja 250
The sun was out at Queensland Raceway, and I was set for a great weekend. Racing my Kawasaki zx10r in the ProStock class, and my Ninja 250 in the 250 Production class (held with the Women’s class), I was ready for the challenge.
On Friday morning, Dunlop ran out of the rear tyres we needed for the weekend, so we had to change to Pirelli tyres, which I had never ridden on previously, and I had no set up to work with. So I had two twenty minute sessions to
find some set up before qualifying on Saturday morning.
Friday was also the first time I had ridden Carlos the 250 Ninja with other bikes. I was feeling a little worried when I saw the pace of Luke Burgess on his 250 Ninja, but each session I was getting quicker and quicker, and by the end of Sunday I was half a second off his qualifying time.
I was unlucky on Saturday on the zx10r, qualifying
14th due to a penalty from being cross entered in the Superbike class. Unfortunately, the schedule had all classes immediately after each other: ProStock; 250 Production; Superbike. I also got a jump start penalty.. Oops!
I was third outright in the 250 Production class, my first podium for the year.
Sunday was a mixed day. I finished fourth overall in the 250 Production class and first in the ladies class. I had the fastest lap time in the final 250 Production race, which I was pretty happy about.
I finished third in B-grade ProStock, so although I expected a better result from myself, I can’t be unhappy with that!!
I’m looking forward to next round in August at Eastern Creek to help out the other ladies. Both Jen and Miriam were also new to riding a 250, and their lap times were getting better and better.
A big thank you to Kawasaki Australia, Pirelli, dad, Al Samuels and Nige Pitch! See you at Eastern Creek! I’m off to Norway now.
— KTM Report
KTM RC8R 1190 Racing Team rider Angus Reekie had good reason to smile after the weekend’s third round of the Australian Road Race Championship at Queensland Raceway, having achieved his best ever national-level finish aboard the radical KTM1190.
In his first ARRC outing for the year, Reekie competed in the Pro Stock 1000 class for twin- and four-cylinder motorcycles, and after carding tenth and eleventh place finishes in the opening races, he powered his KTMRC8R to an incredible sixth in his final race of the weekend.
The result hoisted him into ninth place for the round – which was won by Matt Walters (Kawasaki) from Ben Burke (Kawasaki) and Ben Nicolson (BMW) – and provided valuable insight in terms of further development to what is already a giant-killing race bike.
The 2011 Pro Thunder Champion attributed the result to the application of a simple yet very specific change in setup approach.
ANGUS REEKIE – “I was so happy with the progress we made this round – I didn’t want the weekend to end.
“It was my first time ever at Queensland Raceway and it was really a test session for the FX round, but it far exceeded my expectations. Working with suspension tuner Nigel Pitch we made some ride height changes that dramatically improved our lap times – over 2 seconds for the weekend in fact.
“It was perfect road racing weather, and on what is realistically a drag racing track we were the only V-twin running right in with the fours and just giving them hell with the amazing braking and cornering of the KTM. It was the most fun I’d had in ages!
“I also can’t get enough of excited KTM dirt bike riders approaching us in the pits to say how much they love seeing, as well as watching and hearing this bike in action. I’m really looking forward to the next FX round now.”
— Kawasaki Report
Kawasaki’s Matt Walters has extended his ASBK Pro-Stock class Championship lead with a round win at the 2nd round of the series at Queensland Raceway.
Walters shared the 3 race wins with Kawasaki’s Sean Condon who took top honours in race 1. Walters was accompanied to the podium by fellow Kawasaki rider Ben Burke who took 2nd place. Kawasaki’s Sophie Lovett won the opening round of the 250cc Women’s Production class and finished in 4th overall on the open grid. Defending Champion, Kawasaki’s Luke Burgess, finished in 2nd overall.
Matt Walters made his intentions clear immediately at QLD qualifying his Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R on pole. He then took 2nd place in race 1 before winning races 2 & 3. The round win at QLD increases Walters lead in the Pro-Stock class of the Championship to 33 points over 2nd place.
Matt Walters was happy with his results, saying, “It was a good weekend. We got pole which was great and then we almost had a perfect weekend. I only missed out on the lap record by about 1/1000th of a second so I’m happy. The Ninja ZX-10R was consistent and fast as always. I was able to stay on the bike this weekend so that was a definitely a confidence booster heading to Eastern Creek”.
Sean Condon rode extremely well in his first race back from injury to take a race win in his first Pro-Stock race. Condon also set the lap record in the class. A crash however was to end his second race while he was leading and a fried clutch meant a DNF in race 3. Condon’s 1-DNF-DNF results left him in 12th place for the round.
Sean Condon was pleased to be on top in his first race back, saying, “Overall it was an unreal weekend. I had no expectations heading to QLD being my first race back from a shoulder reco and my first race ever in the Pro-stock class so I’m rapt. I’m getting really comfortable on the Ninja ZX-10R and my confidence was really boosted so I can’t wait for the next round”.
Matt Walters and Ben Burke’s 1-2 podium results gave Kawasaki top Manufacturer points for the class and puts the brand in 1st place in the Manufacturers series standing with a massive 421 points, 244 points ahead of 2nd place.
Kawasaki’s Sophie Lovett proved too strong in the Women’s 250cc production class taking top honours on her Ninja 250R. Lovett was also impressive in the open 250cc class clocking the fastest lap time in the final race and finishing in 4th overall with 3-4-4 results. The class was won by Brandon Demmery on his Ninja 250R. Kawasaki’s Luke Burgess who is also the defending champion of the class grabbed a race win to finish in 2nd overall with 9-1-2 results.
Luke Burgess also competed in the Supersport class at QLD and finished the round in 7th place and Sophie Lovett finished the Pro-Stock class in 14th place on her Ninja ZX-10R and sits in 10th place in the series.
The next round of the Australian Superbike Championship takes place at Sydney Motorsport Park (Eastern Creek) on 1-4 August.
— Yamaha Supersport Report
The Yamaha R6 continues to shine following another successful round at the Australian Superbike Championship at Willowbank, Queensland over the weekend.
In the hands of YRD supported riders, the R6 dominated proceedings in the Supersport class taking the top six positions on the day and continued the blue wash in the championship.
New South Welshmen Michael Blair won the round winning both races conducted on the weekend. Both races were hard fought and race long battles that saw Blair cross the finish less than a bike length over his nearest rivals.
Ryan Taylor slotted into second overall with 2-3 race finishes, finishing one point ahead of Daniel Falzon with 4-2 results.
The consistent performance from Falzon sees him retain his lead in the championship after three rounds. He sits eight points clear of Ryan Taylor in second with Chris Quinn, another Yamaha R6 mounted rider, in third.
The manufacturers championship has Yamaha on 313 points while the next placed is on 52 points.
“The Yamaha R6 continues to prove itself time and again, in all situations and with a wide range of riders,” says YRD’s John Redding. “Regardless if it’s the FX Superbikes or the ASBK championship, the Yamaha R6 is the weapon of choice for all 600cc road racers.
“The beauty of the R6 is that the race bikes used by these successful racers isn’t far removed from the bike you can buy from any Yamaha dealer. It is a quality road bike that is quickly and easily adapted to a high performance race bike that has stood the test of time and competition.”
