Maxwell on pole for ASBK Finale | Chiodo SS P1

Wayne Maxwell takes pole position at Phillip Island

Mark Chiodo takes Supersport Pole

YMF ASBK 2017 – Round Seven – Phillip Island

Troy Herfoss set the QP1 pace this morning with a late 1m32.851 to take provisional pole ahead of Wayne Maxwell, Josh Waters and Bryan Staring while Daniel Falzon had rounded out the top five narrowly ahead of Glenn Allerton and Josh Hook. 

Conditions were similar to that of this morning when the Superbikes headed out for their final 30-minute qualifying session at 1440 this afternoon, right on schedule. The sky was overcast, the track dry and clean, but the wind was perhaps a little less blustery this time around. 

With only six-points separating Herfoss and Waters, and Wayne Maxwell and Robbie Bugden still in with reasonable chances at the championship, the single point earned for pole position today could prove absolutely crucial in deciding who will be crowned ASBK Champion tomorrow. 

As had happened a few times late in QP1, Maxwell had run a scintillatingly fast first sector, well under that achieved by Herfoss on his way to provisional pole this morning, only to then lose that ground and more through the back sections of the circuit. Josh Waters also did the same early in this final qualifying session, clearly the strength of Herfoss and the Honda is through the middle sections of the 4.45km Phillip Island circuit. 

On Waters’ fourth lap the Suzuki man narrowly improved on his QP1 time but remained second quickest on combined time, his new marker 1m33.187. 

Matt Walters was the next rider in the top ten to improve his standing, a decent improvement on his QP1 time but not enough to move him further up the order on combined times. 

Josh Hook’ Ducati stopped at turn five with 17-minutes remaining in the session due to electrical gremlins.

Cru Halliday improved his combined standing from tenth to fifth with a 1m33.907, just as the 30-minute session entered its second half.

Jed Metcher then improved his standing by a massive 1.5-seconds to move up to tenth on combined times.

Matt Walters strung a good lap together to move from eighth up to sixth only for Falzon to then put in a flyer catapulting himself not only past Walters, but also the entire field! Putting the JD Racing YZF-R1 on provisional pole.

Falzon’s final sector the absolute standout, that machine really hooking up through 11 and driving hard through 12 to carry great speed on to the main straight, setting new weekend benchmark of 1m32.781. Not quite as quick as the 32.742 he recorded at the opening round of the series here back in February, but still good enough to top the field with ten-minutes remaining in the session.

Glenn Allerton then put in a flyer to move up to third quickest, relegating Maxwell to fourth but then seconds later Maxwell crossed the stripe clocking a 1m32.587 to promote himself up into provisional pole. Falzon then set a 1m32.600 to go oh so close to pushing Maxwell back once again.

Bryan Staring then moved up to third place, pushing his teammate back to fifth, and Allerton sixth.

Maxwell then put in another absolutely identical 1m32.857, two absolute scorchers back to back and the fastest domestic Superbike laps around Phillip Island in recent years.

The only quicker domestic time around Phillip Island had been set by Maxwell on a Suzuki, when the track was in slightly better condition back in 2013, that benchmark a 1m32.274. Still today’s 1m32.587 good enough to take pole position ahead of Falzon and Waters. 

Bryan Staring heads the second row alongside teammate Troy Herfoss while Glenn Allerton rounds out that second row. Herfoss failed to improve his morning marker this afternoon, the defending champion and series leader slightly baulked by another rider on his fast lap this afternoon. 

Robbie Bugden’s lack of pace today is quite worrying, but he is still somewhat of a dark horse for tomorrow. Particularly as wet weather is forecast and the consensus seems to be that Dunlop’s wet tyres are perhaps a little better than the Pirelli options used by his championship rivals. 

The first of Sunday’s 2 x 12-lap races is scheduled to get underway tomorrow at 1305 with the second and final race of the season slated to commence at 1520. 

Rain is forecast for tomorrow, with the heaviest falls predicted to drop around 1500 Sunday afternoon. Coinciding with the championship deciding Superbike race slated for 1520, a front row qualifying position a handy advantage helping riders to stay out of the spray early on in the race if that deluge arrives on time tomorrow. Let alone, of course, the absolutely vital single championship point awarded to Wayne Maxwell here this afternoon. 

Wayne Maxwell

“It’s great to be able to claim my second pole position of the year, which now draws us to within 14-points of the championship lead.”

“Tomorrow is now more than achievable. We are going to have to come out with the Yamaha R1M and try and win both races and put ourselves in a championship winning position. We went with the same strategy as we normally go with, which is running the hard tyre then at the end, we put the softer option in. Thankfully it had enough grip to deliver the lap time required to score pole position.

“I’m really happy to get pole position. Massive thanks to everyone at Yamaha Racing Team. Warren [Monson], Jamie [Plumb], Kev [Marshall], Jeff [Dillon] and everyone else. It’s been a real team effort throughout the whole year. This pole position is not a massive psychological thing for me, but it does give you that extra boost. It’s more about the single championship point. For me, average starts this year means I’m on the front row. Even if I get a bit of an average start it will still mean I’ll be around the top three. If that is the case we can still try and press on and make the most of tomorrow’s races.”

YMI Superbike Qualifying

1. Wayne Maxwell 1m32.587 – Yamaha
2. Daniel Falzon 1m32.600 – Yamaha 
3. Josh Waters 1m32.740 – Suzuki
4. Bryan Staring 1m32.850 – Honda
5. Troy Herfoss 1m32.851 – Honda
6. Glenn Allerton 1m33.145 – Yamaha
7. Cru Halliday 1m33.907 – Yamaha
8. Matt Walters 1m33.957 – Kawasaki 
9. Alex Phillis 1m34.052 – Yamaha 
10. Michael Blair 1m34.125 – Yamaha
11. Josh Hook 1m34.146 – Ducati
12. Corey Turner 1m34.244 – Ducati
13. Robert Bugden 1m34.316 – Kawasaki
14. Jed Metcher 1m34.352 – Yamaha
15. Beau Beaton 1m34.381 – Ducati
16. Mitch Levy 1m34.565 – Yamaha
17. Ted Collins 1m34.781 – BMW
18. Sloan Frost 1m34.882 – Suzuki
19. Aiden Coote 1m35.942 – Kawasaki
20. Kyle Buckley 1m36.855 – Kawaskai
21. David Barker 1m37.180 – Kawasaki
22. Adam Senior 1m37.205 – Yamaha
23. Trent Gibson 1m38.009 – Suzuki
24. Brendan McIntyre 1m38.570 – Suzuki
25. Ben Stronach 1m38.927 – Yamaha
26. Scott McGregor 1m39.456 – Yamaha
27. Matt Barton 1m40.323 – Honda
28. Keith Harrison 1m45.136 – Kawasaki

YMI Superbike Championship Standings

1. Troy Herfoss 226
2. Josh Waters 220
3. Wayne Maxwell 212
4. Robbie Bugden 201
5. Daniel Falzon 188
6. Cru Halliday 183
7. Bryan Staring 151
8. Corey Turner 138
9. Mitch Levy 119
10. Michael Blair 114
11. Beau Beaton 111
12. Glenn Allerton 96
13. Troy Guenther 88
14. Josh Hook 87
15. Kyle Buckley 83

Supersport 600 Qualifying

Sam Condon, Mason Coote and Chris Quinn all improved their Q1 times quite quickly in the second and final 25-minute qualifying session at Phillip Island this afternoon. 

Late in the session though Mark Chiodo dropped in a 1m35.330 to best Toparis’ 1m35.648 from yesterday, and 35.871 from this morning. 

With the clock counting down the dying minutes Toparis headed out on circuit to try and reclaim that pole position but the Gourlburn based teenager did not quite manage it, thus Chiodo will start from pole tomorrow.

We mentioned yesterday that Toparis’ time was a new Supersport lap record at Phillip Island, that time of course well bested today by Chiodo in that pole lap. However, some clarification is required as while both Toparis and Chiodo’s laps are better than Shannon Johnson’s practice/qualifying lap record from 2009, they are slower than Bryan Staring’s race lap record of 1m35.200, which he recorded in the MotoGP support races in 2009.

This is one of those rare instances where the race lap record is actually faster than the qualifying lap record, and Staring’s 1m35.200 still stands as the fastest domestic Supersport lap at Phillip Island. However, Chiodo’s 1m35.330 today is the new Supersport qualifying lap record. 

Supersport 600 Qualifying Times

1. Mark Chiodo 1m35.330 – Triumph
2. Tom Toparis 1m35.871 Q1 – Kawasaki
3. Mason Coote 1m37.628 – Yamaha
4. Sam Condon 1m37.910 – Yamaha
5. Chris Quinn 1m38.242 – Yamaha
6. Ryan Taylor 1m38.367 Q1 – Yamaha
7. Aidan Hayes 1m38.633 Q1 – Kawasaki
8. Jordan Carlsson 1m38.784 Q1 – Yamaha
9. Mitch Rees 1m38.831 – Honda
10. Rhys Belling 1m38.947 – Yamaha
11. Cambridge Olivier 1m39.546 – Yamaha
12. Sam Muldoon 1m40.147 Q1 – Kawasaki
13. Mick Hefferan 1m40.469 – Kawasaki
14. Brian Houghton 1m40.787 – Honda
15. Ryan Sellen 1m41.394 – Kawasaki
16. Patrick Li 1m41.649 – Kawasaki
17. Jake Pruiti 1m41.801 Q1 – Kawasaki

Supersport 300 Race One

The predominantly pint-sized young maniacs that make up the Supersport 300 ranks of ASBK this year were in fine form this afternoon at Phillip Island when the first of their 3 x 8-lap contests got underway at 1410 on a dry and clear track under cloudy skies.

Reid Battye was engaged in that battle of young psycopaths but came off second best in a turn-two scuffle on the second lap. Zac Levy and Jarred Brook also victims early on in that second lap. Mahaffy managed to rejoin the race at the back of the 43-rider pack but it was day done for Battye and Brook. 

Up front poleman Max Croker was coming under incessant attacks from Tom Bramich, Tom Edwards, Billy Van Eerde, Hunter Ford and Oli Bayliss. 

It was the last rider in that aforementioned group that set a new fastest lap of the race as he worked his way forward in that group, with two laps to run Bayliss then moved into the race lead but still less than a second covered that entire top six. 

Bayliss held the advantage at the last lap board but Van Eeerde then moved into the race lead as they negotiated the early parts of the final lap.

Tom Bramich then took his turn at the front with Hunter Ford moving up to second. Van Eerde then pushed his way back through to second and Croker pushed Ford further back to fourth, and Bayliss was fifth.

At the chequered flag it was Tom Bramich with his nose in front of Oli Bayliss while Billy Van Eerde rounded out the podium in what proved to be yet another thriller for this exciting category of racing. 

Supersport 300 Race One Results

1. Tom Bramich – Yamaha
2. Oli Bayliss +0.184 – Kawasaki
3. Billy Van Eerde +0.253 – KTM
4. Max Croker +0.288 – KTM
5. Hunter Ford +0.329 – Yamaha
6. Tom Edwards +13.511 – Yamaha
7. Locky Taylor +13.693 – Yamaha
8. Broc Pearson +14.090 – Yamaha
9. Yanni Shaw +14.244 – Kawasaki
10. Ty Lynch +14.358 – Yamaha
11. Rogan Chandler +15.218 – Yamaha
12. Seth Crump +15.242 – KTM
13. Brandon Demmery +15.243 – Yamaha
14. Tayla Relph +15.302 – Yamaha
15. Jonah Sita +21.931 – Yamaha

Supersport Over 300 Championship Points

1. Billy Van Eerde 296
2. Tom Bramich 278.5
3. Tom Edwards 278

Supersport 300 Qualifying

1. Max Croker 1m48.804 – KTM
2. Tom Edwards 1m48.821 – Yamaha
3. Zac Levy 1m49.619 – Yamaha
4. Jack Mahaffy 1m49.643 – Yamaha
5. Oli Bayliss 1m49.880 – Kawasaki
6. Reid Battye 1m50.080 – Kawasaki
7. Tom Bramich 1m50.241 – Yamaha
8. Ty Lynch 1m50.713 – Yamaha
9. Hunter Ford 1m50.764 – Yamaha
10. Billy Van Eerde 1m50.782 – KTM

YMF R3 Cup Race One

The opening R3 Cup bout went down to the wire between Tommy Edwards, Hunter Ford and Jack Mahaffy. At the chequered flag it was Edwards that won the day by a nose, Ford second and Mahaffy third.

Less than five-hundredths of a second separated those podium finishers as they crossed the line. 

YMF R3 Cup Race One Results

1. Tom Edwards
2. Hunter Ford +0.015
3. Jack Mahaffy +0.042
4. Locky Taylor +12.208
5. Ben Bramich +22.034
6. Troy Ryan +22.063
7. Jonah Sita +22.516
8. Dan Thomas +22.526
9. Tayla Relph +22.781
10. Jack Passfield +32.561
11. Laura Brown +32.644
12. Harry Khouri +32.677
13. Andrew Hannan +42.185
14. Ross Beames +46.238
15. Callum O’Brien +55.072
16. Boyd Hocking +56.410
17. Jake Brett +76.797

YMF R3 Cup Qualifying

1. Tom Edwards 1m49.671
2. Jack Mahaffy 1m50.036
3. Hunter Ford 1m50.412
4. Locky Taylor 1m52.068
5. Tayla Relph 1m52.933
6. Ben Bramich 1m53.218
7. Ty Lynch 1m53.227
8. Sita 1m53.713
9. Jack Passfield 1m53.797
10. Dan Thomas 1m53.829

Moto3 / 125 GP Race One

Race One for the Moto 3 / 125GP of the Yamaha Motor Finance Australian Superbike Championship presented by Motul Pirelli (ASBK) was won by Dylan Whiteside (Aussie Crane Trucks, Honda NSF250R) at the Spokes.com.au presents Round 7 Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit. A red flag after four completed laps brought an early end to proceedings.

Whiteside took pole position in the second qualifying session for today’s race in the Moto 3 / 125GP class. Backing up the pace he set in yesterday’s practice sessions.

It would be Whiteside to get the hole shot into Turn One but he would have Joel Kelso (JDS Moto, Honda NSF250R) for company for the duration of the race. The two battled back and forth until a red flag was brought out due to a crash at Turn One Involving Peter McFarlane (Fastline GP Racing, Honda RS 125). Racing was declared after 4 laps and half points were awarded.

Whiteside and Kelso did not manage to finish the race, with another incident on the final lap, who were declared first and second due to the race being reverted back to the 4 lap distance.

Taran Ocean (B-spoke Design, Honda RS 125) was the fastest of the 125cc runners in fifth position. The fastest lap of the race went to Kelso with a 1:43.179.

Moto3 / 125 GP Race One Results

1. Dylan WHITESIDE (Aussie Crane Trucks, Honda NSF250R)
2. Joel KELSO (JDS Moto, Honda NSF250R)
3. Dallas SKEER (Ron Angel Classic Racing, Honda NSFR)
4. Matt BARTON (West End Mazda, Honda FTR 250)
5. Taran OCEAN (B-spoke Design, Honda RS 125)
6. Dave MANSON (Fastline GP Racing, Aprilia/Honda RSW/RS)
7. Mark LAING-HUGHES (Fastline GP Racing, Yamaha TZ 125)
8. David DOUGHTY (Fastline GPRacing, Aprilia RS)
9. Jeremy HUDDLESTONE (B spoke Design, Honda RS125)
10. Mark DEJONG (Mustard Bikes, Honda RS 125)

Sidecar Race One

The Horsell Consulting Round 4 of the 2017 Australian F1 & F2 Sidecar Championship kicked off at the end of qualifying day and thrilled attendees at Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit for the Spokes.com.au presents Round 7 of the Yamaha Motor Finance Australian Superbike Championship presented by Motul Pirelli (ASBK) with an eight lap race to remember.

Race One started at 16:10 PM in the afternoon after Duncan Rogers / Rodney Bell (Ashburton Service Ctr F1 LCR GSXR) 1:45.931 took pole position in the morning’s qualifier.

The circulation saw a four-way battle playout on the tarmac as the outfits thundered around the long sweeping Island circuit.

Taking the victory would be Dave BOUGHEN / Lok O’KANE (F1, Suzuki GSXR) with Duncan ROGERS / Rodney BELL (Ashburton Service Ctr, F1, LCR GSXR) 3.393 seconds further back. Bruce COLLINS / Peter DEANGELIS (Breeze Logistics Australia, F2, LCR 600) finished in third, finishing a further 31.555 seconds behind. Fourth on the world famous circuit was Howard FORD / Lee MENZIES (B Beard Concreting, Suzuki GSXR), both showing great pace. The first F2 to cross the line when the flag droped was Bruce COLLINS / Peter DEANGELIS (Breeze Logistics Australia, F2, LCR 600) in third outright.

F2 Sidecars Race winners Collins and DeAngeles were victorious the F2 class, stating on the podium; “Racing was great and there was nothing left out there on track! We kept it nailed the whole way around. That was some of the best racing yet! Mick and Chrissy were tight as always and the Irving was putting up a great fight too.”

F1 Sidecars class leaders Dave Boughen and Lok O’Kane were delighted in their result today winning F1 class and outright for Race One. Boughen sharing; “We got away quickly off the line, even on cold tyres and we managed to stay out in front out of traffic. We even had time to look around a bit to see who was around!”

1. Dave BOUGHEN / Lok O’KANE (F1, Suzuki GSXR)
2. Duncan ROGERS / Rodney BELL (Ashburton Service Ctr, F1, LCR GSXR)
3. Bruce COLLINS / Peter DEANGELIS (Breeze Logistics Australia, F2, LCR 600)
4. Howard FORD / Lee MENZIES (B Beard Concreting, Suzuki GSXR)
5. Beau BEATON / Noel BEARE (KH Equipment, Irving Vincent)
6. Mick ALTON / Chrissie CLANCY (J & C Contracting, F2, Suzuki LCR)
7. Matthew McKINNON / Brad GORRIE (Matty’s Spoke Wheels, F2, Suzuki Peterbuilt)
8. Darryl RAYNER / Wendy CAMPBELL (F2, Shelbourne CBR RR)
9. Richard GOODALE / Scott GOODALE (F2, Shelbourne)
10. John CLANCY / Warren GRUBB (Golden Age Homes, F2, Suzuki LCR)