Maxwell Takes Fight to Herfoss During ASBK Winton Practice
Wayne Maxwell (Yamaha Racing Team, YZF-R1M) has shown he’s not ready to back down at the Spokes.com.au presents Round 6 Winton Motor Raceway. The Yamaha enforcer setting the fastest lap time of Friday practice day. He knows that he has to claim wins here to keep himself in the title hunt in the Yamaha Motor Finance Australian Superbike Championship presented by Motul Pirelli (ASBK).
Maxwell is a Winton specialist and the demanding track suits his YZF-R1M, so it was no surprise to see him topping the timesheets with a 1:20.351. He has failed to score a victory since Round 3 at ‘The Bend’, so now is the time to strike back and add to his tally of three wins for the season.
Championship leader, Troy Herfoss (Penrite Honda Racing, CBR1000SP) is also looking strong around Winton and it looks set up for another fantastic battle between the two rivals. The Honda rider holds a 44.5 points lead and could mathematically wrap up the championship this weekend, if results go his way. Herfoss’ fastest lap was a 1:20.697.
Daniel Falzon (Yamaha Racing Team, YZF-R1) appeared to be struggling earlier in the day but he bounced back with a 1:20.718, in the third practice session. It will be fascinating to see if Yamaha Racing Team have made a key step to returning Falzon to the podium.
2017 Champion Josh Waters (Team Suzuki ECSTAR, GSX-R1000R) has encountered a tough title defense, but Winton could be where he takes his first victory of the season. Suzuki appeared to make a step at Morgan Park, so don’t count him out from challenging for a top position. Waters lodged a 1:20.995 to go fourth fastest on Friday.
Superbike legend, Troy Bayliss (Desmosport Ducati, 1299 Final Edition) topped the first practice session but was more low key in the latter stages of the day. The Ducati mounted rider ended up fifth fastest for the day, with a 1:21.044.
Stay tuned to see if Maxwell can fight back and take Pole Position tomorrow with Qualifying One at 11:10am and Qualifying Two at 3:00pm. Its sure to be a thriller to see who gets that number one grid slot tomorrow!
YMI Superbike Friday Practice Top Ten Provisional Results
1. Wayne MAXWELL (Yamaha Racing Team, Yamaha YZF-R1) 1:20.351
2. Troy HERFOSS (Penrite Honda Racing, CBR1000SP) 1:20.697
3. Daniel FALZON (Yamaha Racing Team, Yamaha YZF-R1) 1:20.718
4. Josh WATERS (Team Suzuki ECSTAR, GSX-R1000R) 1:20.995
5. Troy BAYLISS (Desmosport Ducati, 1299 Final Edition) 1:21.044
6. Bryan STARING (Kawasaki BCperformance, Kawasaki ZX-10R) 1:21.577
7. Mark CHIODO (Team Suzuki ECSTAR, Suzuki GSX-R1000R) 1:21.613
8. Ted COLLINS (NextGen Motorsports, BMW S1000RR) 1:21.755
9. Jamie STAUFFER (Craig McMartin Racing, Ducati Panigale R) 1:21.854
10. Arthur SISSIS (SA Demolition & Salvage, Honda CBR1000RRSP) 1:22.077
ASBK Digital Program
ASBK is pleased to announce the arrival of the digitalised Official ASBK Round 6 Program.
The program can be found on the website ASBK.COM.AU.
Public access to the digital ASBK Program will feature many interesting and informative sections including; rider entry lists, race schedules, previous round wrap ups, championship points standings, track information, biographies, getting started in racing information, partnership information, race pictures and so much more.
Stay up to date with all the latest news and updates from ASBK by liking ASBK on Facebook, following the @asbk on Instagram and checking out the ASBK website here. To purchase your tickets for ASBK head to asbk.com.au.
Remaining 2018 ASBK Calendar Rounds
Round 6- Winton Motor Raceway, Benalla, VIC September 7 – 9
Round 7- Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit, VIC October 12 – 14
