Glorious weather and blistering lap times were highlighted at day one of the Official ASBK Winton Motor Raceway Test, part of the Yamaha Motor Finance Australian Superbike Championship presented by Motul Pirelli. Yamaha bikes from multiple teams showed great pace, with the top three overall times coming from YZF-R1’s.
Cru Halliday (Yamaha Finance, Yamaha YZF-R1) took charge of the Official ASBK Winton Test to post the fastest time overall for the Yamaha Motorcycle Insurance (YMI) Australian Superbike Class during day one.
Although multiple riders noted that the track was green from the recent Victorian rain, the conditions yielded quick lap times and plenty of grip. As the track temperature climbed and rubber was put down, the times started to tumble.
The Test allows riders and teams to prepare for the Spokes.com.au presents Round 3 at Winton Motor Raceway. Preparation include coming to terms with the new surface, running race simulations and trying different setups.
Yamaha Motorcycle Insurance Australian Superbike
The day belonged to Cru Halliday and Yamaha. Halliday posted the fastest time of 1:21.132 in the fourth session. Despite the impressive time, Halliday realises he has to back it up at the upcoming Round.
“We did top the timesheets but everyone is going to go quicker. It’s a different ballgame when the racing begins but we’re just trying to get our heads around the new surface. There are some fixtures out on the track with different surfaces, it’s bumpier than last year but it should make for great racing. ” Halliday said.
Halliday has shown pace at Winton Motor Raceway in the past, including being the current lap record holder for the track.
Yamaha bikes dominated the first day; Daniel Falzon (JD Racing, Yamaha YZF-R1) had the second best overall time of 1:21.331, while Wayne Maxwell (Yamaha Racing Team, YZF-R1) took the third best time with 1:21.563.
Josh Waters (Team Suzuki ECSTAR, GSX-R1000) and Robbie Bugden (Kawasaki BCperformance, ZX-10R) finished fourth and fifth in the overall lap standings.
Fastest Overall Times:
Cru HALLIDAY: 1:21.132
Daniel FALZON: 1:21.331
Wayne MAXWELL: 1:21.563
Motul Australian Supersport
Ted Collins (Saint Unbreakable, Suzuki GSXR-600) dominated the Motul Australian Supersport class on day one by topping all four sessions with a fastest overall lap of 1:24.644. Collins will certainly be relishing the upcoming race after displaying impressive pace.
“We have had a really good first day here at Winton Motor Raceway. We managed to top every session, which has given me a bit of a confidence boost. The Traction Control Suspension/Next Gen Motorsports team have worked really well today, which proves as we have got a good setting on both bikes. We rode both bikes today and I have good feeling on both of them.
“Tomorrow we’ll make a few changes to the bikes and hopefully find a bit more time. I really can’t wait to get out here and race in a few weeks time, as today really has shown we have the overall pace to hopefully finish with a good result.” Collins said.
Samuel Lambert (Sam Lambert Racing, Yamaha YZF-R6) broke though with a lap time of 1:25.075 to have the second best overall time.
Mark Chiodo (Repsol Gas Racing, Triumph 675R) steadily rose though the timesheets throughout the day to attain a lap time of 1:25.450 and achieve third best time.
Fastest Overall Times:
Ted COLLINS: 1:24.644
Samuel LAMBERT: 1:25.075
Mark CHIODO: 1:25.450
Hi-Tec Batteries Australian Supersport 300 / YMF R3 Cup
Young gun Oliver Bayliss (Kawasaki Ninja 300) would top the overall timesheets for the combined Hi-Tec Batteries Supersport 300 and YMF R3 Cup classes, with a lap time of 1:34.279 in the fourth session. Bayliss had a productive day that has given himself belief for the upcoming Rounds.
“The test has progressed really well on day one. It has given us a newfound confidence, after achieving the overall best time for the class. Even though it’s not a race, we are up against some fast competitors. I’m very happy to have the overall time and hopefully there is some improvement to come! Bayliss explained.
All three of the best overall lap times came from the Under 300’s class.
Drew Sells (Race Centre, Kawasaki Ninja 300) finished of the day with the second best overall time of 1:34.805.
Scott Nicholson (G. Williams Motorcycle Engineering, Kawasaki Ninja 300) also pulled off an impressive display to finish third overall with a lap time of 1:34.853.
Fastest Overall Times:
Oliver BAYLISS: 1:34.279
Drew SELLS: 1:34.80
Scott NICHOLSON: 1:34.853
Fans will be able to catch all the lap by lap activity on the Official ASBK Test Live Timing which can be accessed on ASBK website, via the live timing tab throughout the Official Test, providing the breakdown as to who is on the pace!
Spokes.com.au presents Round 3 Yamaha Motor Finance Australian Superbike Championship presented by Motul Pirelli at Winton Motor Raceway 28-30 April.
2017 Yamaha Motor Finance Australian Superbike Championship Presented by Motul Pirelli Calendar:
Round 3 Spokes.com.au presents Winton Motor Raceway, VIC 28-30 April
Round 4 Hidden Valley Raceway, NT 7-9 July
Round 5 Morgan Park Raceway, QLD 25-27 August
Round 6 SMSP Eastern Creek, NSW 8-10 September
Round 7 Spokes.com.au presents Phillip Island Circuit, VIC 6-8 October