ASBK BLU CRU MANAGERS REVIEW – WAKEFIELD PARK

It has been a glorious start to the 2019 ASBK season for Yamaha teams and riders and after two rounds, Cru Halliday, Tom Toparis and Max Stauffer hold the championship lead in their respective classes.Phillip Island and Wakefield Park have proven to be challenging rounds for all competitors and are two greatly different circuits but the Yamaha R1, R6 and R3 have shown they are as versatile as they are fast. 

At round two, Yamaha experienced a successful round and now have themselves well placed in all classes, including success in the up and coming racing disvsions.

To view the video of the young guns in action at Wakefield Park, incldung the Yamaha R3 Cup and the R15 Oceania Junior Cup: https://youtu.be/OSwbcs46NTM

John Redding – Yamaha Racing Team – Superbikes 
“We were competitive right from the first lap of the track on Friday and were able to make small gains each time the riders went out, so it was pleasing to see the team work hard and get the small rewards along the way. 

“Both riders qualified well and showed they had the pace to match it with anyone and I think that breeds some confidence in them. Cru has matured a lot as a rider and improves every time he steps on the bike. He was able to turn around a mid race drop off where he lost a couple of positions to fight his way back to second place and it shows he is mentally much stronger than he has been. 

“In race two, watching from the sidelines, I felt that Cru was comfortably doing the pace and I would have backed him to have a run at Herfoss in the closing stages but unfortunately, the race was stopped due an injured rider. 

“The opening two rounds have been good for him and he now believes he able to win every race he enters. His confidence is growing because he puts in the work and gets a reward on the weekends and I believe we haven’t seen the best form him yet. 

“Daniel just needs to get a good race result under his belt. He is right there with the lead group but just for his own belief, to get a race win would do him the world of good. He has shown us consistency and apart from a fall at Phillip Island, he would be right in the battle in the points. 

“His 4-5 results at Wakefield Park were good and now with the next round in his home state in South Australia and on a track that he rides well, I think we will see continued improvement from Daniel and better results as the series progresses.” 

To view a round recap of the Superbike class: https://youtu.be/cm9P6zJkwpM

Ian Irving – YRD – 600cc / 300cc 
“It was a great weekend for the YRD / bLU cRU supported riders at Wakefield Park with the podium of both classes, nearly all Yamaha. We had the entire podium in the 300cc Supersport with Max Stauffer, Ben Baker and Locky Taylor all have a great weekend. In fact, the first five riders were Yamaha R3 mounted and its pleasing to see these young guys ride with passion and purpose and provide such close racing action. 

“In the 600cc, Tom Toparis is just that bit above the rest of the field but the riders behind are determined to keep him honest. Toparis is yet to lose a race and is clearly the man to beat but I like the riders behind are chasing him and making him work for his race wins. 

“Broc Pearson showed good speed at Wakefield Park and raced well. In race two he stuck with Toparis for the majority of the race and in the end, it was only a 1.2 gap that separated them. It will be good for both riders if they can continue to challenge and elevate each other as the year progresses.” 

To view a round recap of the Supersport 600cc class: https://youtu.be/XhnaPDD8WkA
To view a round recap of the Supersport 300cc class: https://youtu.be/GCueCkyma0c

Editorial courtesy of Yamaha Motor Australia