Talent Rises to the Top for YMF R3 Cup, GP Juniors Cup and Motorcycle Sportsmen Club Challenge
The YMF R3 Cup, GP Juniors Cup and Motorcycle Sportsmen Club Challenge completed today’s practice sessions for Round 5 at Morgan Park Raceway of the Yamaha Motor Finance Australian Superbike Championship presented by Motul Pirelli (ASBK) in tremendous style.
YMF R3 Cup
Corey Briffa (YRD, Yamaha YZF-R3) topped Friday Practice for the YMF R3 Cup. Former Asia Dream Cup competitor, Briffa set the fastest lap in the dying stages of Practice Three.
Broc Pearson (YRD, Yamaha YZF-R3) stood out in the final session of the day, with his quickest lap time of the YMF R3 Cup class being a 1:25.070. Topping the session marks an extraordinary return to racing after the he injured himself in a training accident back in February.
Also impressing, was Jack Mahaffy (Eastern Security Doors, Yamaha YZF-R3). Despite missing out on the quickest lap, Mahaffy can be confident in his impressive pace after posting a 1:25.390.
In fourth position was Locky Taylor (LTR Racing, Yamaha YZF-R3), followed closely behind by constant frontrunner Tommy Edwards’ (Alpinestars, Yamaha YZF-R3) 1:25.971.
Practice Two was interrupted by a wet track after showers that occurred at 1:40 pm. Only one rider John Sita (Flashpoint Motosport, Yamaha YZF-R3) circulated the track, gaining wet weather experience.
Stay tuned to what promises to be an exciting battle during the qualifying and Race One for the YMF R3 Cup on Saturday. With an even playing field and similar machinery for the series, it’s sure to be another belter instalment for the Cup
YMF R3 Cup Overall Times
1 Corey BRIFFA (Alex Cudlin Motorsport, Yamaha YZF-R3) 1:24.671
2 Broc PEARSON (YRD, Yamaha YZF-R3) 1:25.070
3 Jack MAHAFFY (Eastern Security Doors, Yamaha YZF-R3) 1:25.390
4 Locky TAYLOR (LTR Racing, Yamaha YZF-R3) 1:25.515
5 Tommy EDWARDS (Alpinestars, Yamaha YZF-R3) 1:25.971
6 Hunter FORD (Ford Brothers Racing, Yamaha YZF-R15) 1:26.216
7 Tayla RELPH (Motorcycle Sportsmen Club, Yamaha YZF-R3) 1:27.158
8 Mitch KUHNE (Shark Leathers, Yamaha YZF-R3) 1:28.687
9 Ross BEAMES (Jennifer Beanes, Yamaha YZF-R3) 1:29.119
10 Boyd HOCKING (DPH Motorsport Yamaha, YZF-R3) 1:29.235
GP Juniors Cup
The GP Juniors Cup is the ASBK’s developmental ground, which aims to foster the emerging talent of 12 – 16 year olds. All the competitors are on the same machinery and specification control tyres. The even playing field ensures the GP Juniors are able to show what they are capable of.
Young stars of the GP Juniors Cup quickly went to business of setting fast lap times around Morgan Park Raceway for Friday’s practice sessions. Northern Territorian Joel Kelso (Deborah Motorsports, YZF-R15), catapulted his way to the top of the timesheets with a 1:41.314.
Second in the Championship, John Lytras (Caboolture Yamaha, YZF-R15) 1:41.511 was two tenths behind and set his fastest time in the third practice session.
Max Stauffer (Dyno27, Yamaha YZF-R15), son of former Australian Superbike Champion, Jamie Stauffer completed the trifecta of top three overall riders.
Keep an eye out for this talent pool, to see how the Junior’s fare in their Qualifying sessions and Race One tomorrow.
GP Juniors Cup Overall Times
1 Joel KELSO (Deborah Motorsports, YZF-R15) 1:41.314
2 John LYTRAS (Caboolture Yamaha, YZF-R15) 1:41.511
3 Max STAUFFER (Dyno27, Yamaha YZF-R15) 1:41.793
4 Ned FAULKHEAD (BROO, Yamaha YZF-R15) 1:42.450
5 Harry KHOURI (Excite Motorsports Penrith, Yamaha YZF-R15) 1:42.485
6 Tristan ADAMSON (Top Rider M-cycles, Yamaha YZF-R15) 1:42.570
7 Zak PETTENDY (Bikesales.com.au, Yamaha YZF-R15) 1:46.360
8 Zylas BUNTING (Shark Motorcycle, Yamaha YZF-R15) 1:46.851
9 Rhys WILLIAMS (Yamaha R-15) 1:49.453
10 Hunter PENHALLURICK (Western Sydney Motorcycles, Yamaha YZF-R15) 1:53.168
Motorcycle Sportsmen Club Challenge
The Club Challenge class saw several of Warwick’s best riders hit the track for practice. Fastest in the sessions would be Leigh Holmes (Kawasaki ZXR 400).
Holmes delivered quick pace to top Friday practice for the local Club Challenge. Holmes set the fastest lap in Practice Three. Fastest rider, Holmes will be looking to put himself in prime position for this weekend’s racing. His best lap was a 1:24.235.
In second position behind Homes was Mark Torrance (Mark Torrance Electrical Pty Ltd, Honda CBR RR 250). Torrance’s time; 1:33.209 – nine seconds behind the pace.
In third position was Elliot Wheldon (Gold Coast Caravan For Hire, Honda VFR 400). The Honda mounted rider finished a further .167 behind Torrance with a lap time of 1:33.376.
Fourth belonged to Sarah Fairbrother (Honda CBR RR 250). Her best time was a 1:33.631.
To complete the top five, was Gary Dickson on his (Team.Tiger.com.au, Honda CBR RR 250). Dickson competed in every session to finish with a fastest of 1:33.690.
Motorcycle Sportsmen Club Challenge Provisional Friday Practice Times
1. Leigh HOLMES (Kawasaki ZXR 400) 1:24.235
2. Mark TORRANCE (Mark Torrance Electrical Pty Ltd, Honda CBR RR 250) 1:33.209
3. Elliott WHIELDON (Gold Coast Caravan For Hire, Honda VFR 400) 1:33.376
4. Sarah FAIRBROTHER (Honda CBR RR 250) 1:33.631
5. Gary DICKSON (Team.Tiger.com.au, Honda CBR RR 250) 1:33.690
6. Michael FROST (Frost Diesel Injection, Honda VFR 400) 1:35.043
Round 5 Morgan Park Raceway Program
To access the digital program, simply click on the photo below. If you wish to download the program to take it on the go, sign up and create an ISSUU account.
Stay up to date with all the latest news and updates from the ASBK by liking ASBK on Facebook, following the @asbk on Instagram and checking out the ASBK website here.
Can’t make it to the track? Then make sure you watch the ASBK, this Sunday on channel SBS at 1pm AEST or Live Stream from 9:30am on asbk.com.au.
Tickets for Morgan Park Raceway in Queensland are now available for purchase online. Snap up your tickets for Round 5 today by clicking here!
2017 Yamaha Motor Finance Australian Superbike Championship Presented by Motul Pirelli Calendar:
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
Picture 1: Corey Briffa
Picture 2: Joel Kelso
Courtesy TBG Photography
Picture 3: Leigh HOLMES – Courtesy Peter Buchanan
