Yamaha YZF-R3 Cup – Diary of a racer – Ty Lynch
The first round of the R3 Cup was an instant hit with close racing providing a fun spectacle at Wakefield Park.
Plans for the next round at Sydney Motorsport park are well underway and if you are debating whether or not to enter, read about entrant Ty Lynch’s experience at Wakefield Park, then get onto your entry to the April 16-17 round at SMSP now… there are a range of great prizes to be won!
Ty Lynch is a road race novice who comes from a dirt biking background – just the kind of rider for whom the R3 Cup has been initiated
Ty Lynch Wakefield Park R3 Cup Race Diary
Friday 25 March
“We arrived to Wakefield Park at around 6:30am, I was a little nervous as I should’ve been because road racing is a completely new thing for me… The guys at Yamaha and Race Center made it easy to communicate and feel at home very quickly. On Friday we had three practice sessions and I was assigned Mal Metcher and the Race Center crew to work with.
“We opted to put wet tyres on for the first session. It was a little sketchy for me as I’ve never ridden a race track with wets plus it was my first time at the track and first time on the Yamaha R3.
“Throughout Friday we were able to make a lot of positive changes to the bikes and managed to get the MUPO Suspension dialled in. We still had minor adjustments to make and my feedback lacked a little bit and it was hard for me to get the message across about what the bike was doing due to lack of experience.
“Luckily Mal and Darren from Race Center knew what I was trying to get across which made tuning the bike a lot easier, and made my job on the track a lot safer.
Saturday 26 March
“In the morning we were offered two qualifying sessions in each class, we were out every time in the production class before the R3 Class which was a bonus because the R3 Class is the main focus for us, and it gave us a little bit of extra practice. I did alright in qualifying – managed to be fifth on the grid in both classes which I was extremely stoked with.
“The level of riders in the field is awesome and that helped me throughout the whole weekend, learning from following others and gradually decreasing my lap times.
“In the production class I got a good jump and managed to stick behind Callum Alderson for a few laps but ran off and finished seventh outright – but third in the over 300cc Class. It was an awesome race, with some dices with other riders and it helped me figure out where I was going wrong on the track with line choices.
“The R3 Cup race was almost the same. I had an awesome jump and managed to run behind the lead pack for a few laps before gradually dropping off and finishing fourth. I felt better every time I went out on track and learnt something new. Whenever Mal and Darren changed something, it had a positive effect.
Sunday 27 March
“Despite scooting along the track on my backside instead of my bike I had a productive day continuing to move forwards and riding faster. Just a low side, nothing too major, and I was checked out by the guys over at RaceSafe who did an awesome job as usual.
“After a great start to the second R3 Cup race I ran off the track again. I managed to push and make some ground up on fourth but it just wasn’t quite enough.
“The last R3 Cup race was just awesome. I managed to run with the front group the whole race and finished fourth to stay right behind the leaders. It was great to know that I could run up the front and with a bit of practice I could be in title contention in both classes. That wasn’t what we were aiming for because I wanted to use the first year as experience, but happily that plan is now upgraded.
“A huge thank you to all the guys at Race Center for all their support and to Yamaha for hosting such an awesome entry level race class, so keen for what’s to come!”
Ty Lynch #851
Callum Alderson
“It’s been a top weekend and I’m really happy to come away with second place overall. It gives me a great platform from here for the rest of the season. Everyone on the Yamaha R3 rode a great race, and by the looks of it, it should be a great class with some close racing.”
Hunter Ford
“The Yamaha R3 is a fun bike to ride. I find it a bit different through the corners as it’s so skinny, so I had to adapt to that. Overall I believe it will suit me more and more as we get into the season.”
Don’t forget there is still time to enter the R3 Cup. The main features and benefits are
- A new 2016 YZF-R3 can be supplied as an assembled standard road model with the accompanying kit separate (see below for kit contents), at a total cost of just $7900
- A receipt for a deposit of $1000 should accompany the R3 Cup Application Form which will be offset towards the complete cost of your R3 and race parts package. The deposit is to be paid to your Yamaha Dealer
- A Special YMF retail race finance package is available with the repayment amount over a 12 month term would at $168 per week or over a 24 month term $88 (both rounded numbers)
- If utilising this race finance package, YMF will contact you direct and complete the finance application to ensure the speed and ease of the process is maintained
- You retain the standard bike parts that are not used for competing in the R3 Cup, which in turn can be utilised if you return your racer to a road model
- A MUPO suspension specialist attends each round and is available to assist with your information for your set up. YRD staff will also be in attendance at each round for advice
- The body work and cowlings are black to allow your own livery design
- A decal kit is provided which will feature the associated contingency brands. It is minimalist in design which allows your own choice of race livery
- Your R3 can be collected from the Authorised Yamaha Dealer of your choice – if you do not have a preferred Yamaha Dealer, we will advise of the closest one to you
- The Dealer is not expected to complete the race bike build. The build can be carried out either by yourself, by the Dealer at your cost, or by a competition race bike specialist
- We can supply contact details for race bike builders in your area if you require
- A scan of your MA licence should accompany the application form
R3 Cup Contents list
- Fairing kit – including front fender and tank cover – uses stock screen – black gelcoat
- Akrapovic full racing exhaust system with Ti muffler
- Racing rear sets with multiple adjustments
- Handlebar lowering kit
- Gearing set JT – optional sizes – 1 front, 2 rear
- MUPO Suspension kit – complete rear shock absorber with adjustable preload, ride height and rebound damping. Front fork kit with springs, spacers and shim stack
- Graphics kit with all series and bonus sponsors logos supplied
- R+G protection kit including – crash knobs, engine case covers, rear stand pickups, chain guard, radiator protector
- R+G muffler mounting bracket
- AIS pollution system block off plate
- Yamalube Service kit – 4 litres of synthetic engine oil and engine oil filter
- Oxford rear race stand
- CD with parts book, service manual, kit fitment manual, etc.
