Cru Halliday (Yamaha Racing Team, YZF-R6) has once again booked himself Pole Position at Morgan Park Raceway for Round 5 of the Yamaha Motor Finance Australian Superbike Championship presented by Motul Pirelli (ASBK). The vast majority of the riders in the Kawasaki Supersport class set their fastest lap times in Qualifying One when the conditions were at their best.
Halliday made it look easy out there at Morgan Park, it was anything but. He put in the hard work to make sure his lap time was the best it could be. He managed a 1:14.609 to stamp his authority over the competition.
Halliday sharing; “It’s great to get another pole position, as it gives us another point for the championship, which is what the Yamaha Racing Team and I are aiming for this year. While, we have taken pole, we can never count out Tom, as he has been nipping at my heels and getting closer to me at every round. I’m just glad that we now have a 26 point championship lead.”
In second place was once again Tom Toparis (Cube Racing, Kawasaki ZX-6R). He would no doubt be devastated to lose out once again to Halliday, but race day is when the points are scored. He would finish more than half a second behind with his 1:15.163.
In third place was the elated Damon Rees (Carl Cox M-sports, Honda CBR600RR) who has built a very promising and consistent season on the Honda. He also currently holds third place in the title standings. He will back himself to finish in that position by the end of the season. His fastest lap time was a 1:15.799.
Callum Spriggs (Yamaha YZF-R6) continues his impressive return to ASBK competition with a fourth-place gird position. He looked impressive in Friday’s practice sessions and he backed it up today by qualifying on the second row. His time being a 1:15.929.
Broc Pearson (Yamaha Motors Australia, YZF-R6) who has returned from injury this weekend managed fifth. It’s clear he’s still battling his way to full fitness but it’s a promising return for the Yamaha rider.
Max Croker (Mladin Racing, Suzuki GSX-R600) who sits fourth in the championship has some ground to make up in sixth. He will want to make sure that he overtakes Rees in the races, as they are battling it out for third in the championship standings.
Stay tuned for the two Kawasaki Supersport races today at 10:30am and 1:10pm!
Kawasaki Supersport Qualifying Provisional Results
1. Cru HALLIDAY (Yamaha Racing Team, YZF-R6) 1:14.609
2. Tom TOPARIS (Cube Racing, Kawasaki ZX-6R) 1:15.163
3. Damon REES (Carl Cox M-sports, Honda CBR600RR) 1:15.799
4. Callum SPRIGGS (Yamaha YZF-R6) 1:15.929
5. Broc PEARSON (Yamaha Motors Australia, Yamaha YZF-R6) 1:16.134
6. Max CROKER (Mladin Racing, Suzuki GSX-R600) 1:16.393
7. Lachlan EPIS (ResponseRE, Kawasaki ZX-6R) 1:16.742
8. Chris QUINN (The Channon Tavern, Yamaha YZF-R6) 1:16.919
9. Giuseppe SCARCELLA (Kawasaki BCperformance, Kawasaki ZX-6R) 1:17.247
10. Zac JOHNSON (Rebuilder, Yamaha YZF-R6) 1:17.325
Photos: Andrew Gosling tbg sport
