Collins Claims Early ASBK Motul Supersport Title at SMSP
The Motul Supersport class of the Yamaha Motor Finance Australian Superbike Championship presented by Motul Pirelli (ASBK), featured wins by Arron Morris and Mark Chiodo at Sydney Motorsport Park. Ted Collins however, wrapped up the 2017 Championship with one round remaining, taking a well-deserved championship for the NextGen Motorsports Team.
Race One.
The ASBK’s Middleweight Supersport class one again delivered the goods when it came to exceptional racing, slicing and dicing on the 600cc class machines.
ASBK 2017 season debutant, Arron Morris (Maxima Yamaha YZF-R6) took the Race One victory after the Supersport veteran pulled away from the field from the get-go. Mark Chiodo (Repsol Gas Racing Triumph Daytona 67R) rode brilliantly to second position. Tom Toparis (Cube Racing, Kawasaki ZX6R) would have impressed to a podium place, if not for a 10 second jump start penalty that was applied from the beginning of the race.
Sam Muldoon (Proworx Racing, Kawasaki ZX6R) was on the charge until washing out on YMI Hill near Turn 7. Muldoon showing incredible speed and was a likley podium placer. Justin Case (Percy Jack Motorcycles, Yamaha YZF- R6) was another casualty of the field after also running out of track.
Mason Coote (Aark Racing, Yamaha YZF-R6) managed to take a third place after a brilliantly fought race. Coote actually crossed the line in fourth overall, trailing Toparis. In the end, it would be Morris to claim a victory to remember.
Top Ten Provisional Results Race One
1 Aaron MORRIS (Maxima Yamaha, YZF-R6)
2 Mark CHIODO (Repsol Gas Racing, Triumph 675 R)
3 Mason COOTE (Aark Racing,Yamaha YZF-R6)
4 Sam CONDON (Bikebiz, Yamaha YZF-R6
5 Tom TOPARIS (Cube Racing, ZX-6R)
6 Ted COLLINS (NextGen Motorsports, Suzuki GSX-R600)
7 Chris QUINN (Coopers HXR Yamaha YZF-R6)
8 Jordan CARLSSON (Dave’s Smash Repairs, Yamaha YZF-R6)
9 Jake PRUITI (Consent2go, Kawasaki ZX-6R)
10 Nic LIMINTON (Race Center, Yamaha YZF-R6)
Race Two
Chiodo took a sensational win in Motul Supersport Race Two, after a brilliant second half of circulation on his Daytona set him up for the victory.
The green light saw Morris, Chiodo and Muldoon, launch from the 24-strong grid to attack Turn One at Sydney Motorsport Park. Sam Condon ran off track at Turn Two due to traffic. The opening laps also claimed Jake Puritti (Consent2go, Kawasaki ZX-6R) and Case.
The mid point of Race Two was full of twists and turns, as victory never looked to be fully locked away by any one rider as an early battle with Morris, Chiodo and Toparis ensued.
Toparis was on the charge and looked to be a very strong contender for the race win, until a very unfortunate incident on Turn Two with Morris, that took them both out of contention. Toparis loosing out on vital Championship points.
Meanwhile, the battle mid-pack raged on with Coote and Muldoon dicing in an enthralling game of cat and mouse.
Ted Collins (NextGen Motorsports, Suzuki GSX-R600) overall championship position in the points table after racing meant that he took out the 2017 Motul Australian Supersport Championship on 263 points. 63 ahead of nearest class rival Coote, on 200. The points gap that Collins has cannot be made up over the one remaining round at the Motul Supersport Championship conclusion at Round 7 Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit (6-8 October).
Quotes from the Riders
Ted Collins
“Its unbelievable, the team have given me the perfect bike. I can’t thank everyone enough, NextGen Motorsports and my parents have given me an amazing opportunity and I am glad to have done them proud coming away with an early championship win.”
Mason Coote
“Four years without racing here, it’s great to be up here on the podium! I am over the moon! Can’t thank everyone who has helped me enough for everything. Great confidence ahead of Round 7 at the Island.”
Mark Chiodo
“I am so happy to have won that and grab some needed points for the championship. I will carry the momentum into next round where I know I have some pace and the bike really works nicely down at Phillip Island. Sydney has been almost a dream for us, but we really do deserve it.”
Top Ten Provisional Results Race Two
1 Mark CHIODO (Repsol Gas Racing, Triumph 675 R)
2 Sam MULDOON (Proworx Racing, Kawasaki ZX6R)
3 Mason COOTE (Aark Racing,Yamaha YZF-R6)
4 Chris QUINN (Coopers HXR Yamaha YZF-R6)
5 Ted COLLINS (NextGen Motorsports, Suzuki GSX-R600)
6 Sam CONDON (Bikebiz, Yamaha YZF-R6)
7 Jordan CARLSSON (Dave’s Smash Repairs, Yamaha YZF-R6)
8 Nic LIMINTON (Race Center, Yamaha YZF-R6)
9 Thomas BRYDEN (YRD, YZF-R6)
10 Simon REES (Castle Hill Motorcyles, Kawasaki ZX-6R)
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2017 Yamaha Motor Finance Australian Superbike Championship Presented by Motul Pirelli Calendar:
Round 7 Spokes.com.au presents Phillip Island Circuit, VIC 6-8 October
Photos Courtesy of Andrew Gosling TBG Photograhpy
Photo One: Ted Collins
Photo Two: Mark Chiodo
Photo Three: Motul Supersport Podium