Final ASBK Round looms for Cube Racing at Winton

Cube Racing will make its final 2016 Australian Superbike Championship (ASBK) appearance of the season at this weekend’s season final at Winton Motor Raceway, Victoria, on 30 September-2 October.
Top Supersport contender Callum Spriggs enters the sixth and final event just outside of the top three in fourth position, 49.5 points out of the overall series lead following five rounds of competition.
“Heading into this weekend I obviously want to have a good round and hope to finish on a high and deliver the Cube Racing team a good result,” Spriggs said. “I’m predicting it’s going to be intense racing as Troy Guenther and Sam Clarke will be going all at it for the championship. I’ll just focus on doing my best to get the best result as possible, which is of course to try and win.
“It all depends on what the weather throws at us this weekend, but dry or wet, hopefully I can leave Winton with a round win. There testing here last week was pretty good and I’m feeling good on the bike. In saying that, hopefully we can get a slight better set-up tomorrow which will lead us into Saturday, then the two races on Sunday.”
Teammate and fellow Supersport challenger Robbie Menzies holds down a strong ninth-place standing in the overall rankings as a class rookie. Sitting on 98 championship points with one round remaining, the Queenslander has his sights set on climbing up the ladder with a solid Winton ride.
“The weather for this weekend is not looking that flash-hot,” Menzies commented. “So it was lucky that the Cube Racing team and I managed to get a test session in wet conditions here last Wednesday, which could play into our hands if it’s wet on Sunday. In regards to the racing itself, hopefully I can stick with the front group and finish the year off strong in the ASBK series.”
Goulburn-based Up To 300cc Production ace Tom Toparis enters this weekend’s event just 33 points behind series leader, coming off a commanding win at Morgan Park. With a legitimate shot at the 2016 championship, rookie revelation Toparis will be aiming for a strong and consistent end to his season.
“It was pretty good test for us actually,” Toparis said of his recent shakedown. “It’s a shame but we didn’t get the two days in the dry to try and go even faster, but that’s okay. We have Friday to try a few more things, so hopefully I can lower my times a bit more come the final round.”
Making his Production debut this weekend at Winton Motor Raceway with the Cube Racing team will be Oli Bayliss. The son of three-time Superbike world champion Troy Bayliss is an exciting addition to the Cube Racing squad and the ASBK series.
“I’m feeling pretty confident heading into this weekend, as we had a good test session here last week,” Bayliss said. “With what we have learnt thus far, hopefully it will enable me to go well. With the wet weather which is predicted, I don’t know, but I’m happy to ride in whatever conditions, as I’m really looking forward to the challenge.
“In regards to a finishing position, I would be over the moon if I were to get a top three, but realistically I’m eyeing off a top five finish overall. I can’t thank the Cube Racing team enough for giving me this great opportunity to go racing, so I hope to do the whole team proud.”
The sixth and final round of the 2016 Australian Superbike Championship will be contested at Winton Motor Raceway in Victoria on 30 September-2 October. Visit the series website at www.asbk.com.au for further information.