The final Round 1 race for the YMF R3 Cup took place this morning , and it delivered action aplenty as Zac Levy (Puma RV'S, Yamaha YZF-R3) took a strategic victory.
Levy waiting until the final lap to attack for the win. The YMF R3 Cup is the development ground for many future road racing stars, all riding Yamaha YZF-R3 machinery.
Tom Bramich (Yamaha, Yamaha YZF-R3) once again got off to a great start to lead the race, in front of Locky Taylor (LTR Racing, Yamaha YZF-R3) and Hunter Ford (Ford Brothers Racing, Yamaha YZF-R3). Not far behind them were the ever-present Harry Khouri (Acid Racing, Yamaha YZF-R3) and Levy. For the entire duration of the race there was nothing between the top five.
On the last lap Levy managed to pull off a daring overtake for the win ahead of Bramich and Taylor, Khouri and Ford not far behind. Only .345s covered the top five at the checkered flag.
Zac Levy saying after the race; “It was a difficult one, the wind was very strong and there wasn’t much grip. We’re all in the same boat though and I thought if I could get in front I could try and control the race and take the win. I’m happy to have got the lead on the last lap and controlled it to the line. About lap four or five, I could have passed but I wanted to bide my time and wait till the last lap. I just want to be on the podium every race and be consistent this season.”
Tom Bramich; “Super happy to get the overall round win. We had a goal to score the most points and we knew the racing was going to be close due to the nature of Phillip Island. We couldn’t break away at any point during today’s race and the five of us were exchanging overtakes all the time.”
As it stands, the current points tally has Bramich taking the overall round with 65 points, followed by Ford in second with 61 and Levy in third with 57 points.
The action will continue as ASBK returns to Wakefield Park Raceway for Round 2 of the championship, March 16 – 18.
YMF R3 Cup Race Three Provisional Results.
1. Zac LEVY (Puma RV’S, Yamaha YZF-R3)
2. Tom BRAMICH (Yamaha, Yamaha YZF-R3)
3. Locky TAYLOR (LTR Racing, Yamaha YZF-R3)
4. Harry KHOURI (Acid Racing, Yamaha YZF-R3)
5. Hunter FORD (Ford Brothers Racing, Yamaha YZF-R3)
6. Callum O’BRIEN (BANHAMS WA, Yamaha YZF-R3)
7. Max STAUFFER (Chris Watson M-cycles, Yamaha YZF-R3)
8. Travis HALL (Yamaha YZF-R3)
9. Tayla RELPH (North Star Yamaha, Yamaha YZF-R3)
10. John LYTRAS (Yamaha YZF-R3)
Photo Andrew Gosling