Herfoss Smashes in Fastest Lap at Brand New The Bend Motorsport Park
Today’s Official ASBK Test at The Bend Motorsport Park (SA) was one of the most anticipated in living memory and the on track spectacle lived up to the hype. Topping the timesheets was Troy Herfoss (Penrite Honda Racing, Honda CBR1000SP). The brand new circuit located in Tailem Bend was highly acclaimed by the riders and the action will continue tomorrow for day two.
YMI Superbike
Setting the fastest time for the YMI Superbike class was none other than Herfoss on his Honda machine.
Herfoss sharing; “It was really great to ride on a new track and I can certainly give it the tick of approval. Riding on this circuit was quite a treat. I’ve been to a number a few different tracks around the world and this one stacks up against some of the best. It’s got a touch of everything and I enjoyed it a lot!”
Coming in second was Troy Bayliss (Desmosport Ducati, Ducati Panigale FE). There was almost nothing between the two, with only 0.031 between them.
Slotting himself into third position was local rider, Daniel Falzon (Yamaha Racing Team, Yamaha YZF-R1M). He will be one of the fan favorites for Round 3 when racing gets underway.
Establishing themselves in the top five were the Wayne ‘Train’ Maxwell and current YMI Superbike Champion, Josh Waters (Team Suzuki ECSTAR, Suzuki GSXR-R1000R)
Times are surely set to tumble tomorrow as the rubber gets laid down at The Bend Motorsport Park, so stay tuned to the results of the premier class.
YMI Superbike Top Ten Provisional Results
1. Troy HERFOSS (Penrite Honda Racing, Honda CBR1000SP) 1:55.920
2. Troy BAYLISS (Desmosport Ducati, Ducati Panigale FE) 1:55.951
3. Daniel FALZON (Yamaha Racing Team, Yamaha YZF-R1M) 1:56.701
4. Wayne MAXWELL (Yamaha Racing Team, Yamaha YZF-R1M) 1:56.712
5. Josh WATERS (Team Suzuki ECSTAR, Suzuki GSXR-R1000) 1:57.073
6. Glenn ALLERTON (NextGen Motorsports, BMW S1000RR) 1:57.740
7. Arthur SISSIS (SA Demolition, Suzuki GSX-1000R 1:58.609
8. Matt WALTERS (Swann Insurance Superbike, Kawasaki ZX-10R 1:59.077
9. Ted COLLINS (NextGen Motorsports, BMWS1000RR) 1:59.336
10. Michael BLAIR (Yamaha YZF-R1) 1:59.546
Kawasaki Supersport
Continuing on from his Wakefield Park domination was Cru Halliday (Yamaha Racing Team, YZF-R6). The Factory Yamaha rider was devastatingly quick and looked like he was progressing well throughout the day.
Up in second was Halliday’s greatest title rival, Tom Toparis (Cube Racing, Kawasaki ZX-6R). These two have been battling it out in the early rounds of the season and results indicate this could be on again for Round 3 at The Bend. Toparis finished a further 0.648 off the fastest time.
Finishing in third position was the impressive Max Croker (Mat Mladin, Suzuki GSX-R600). Croker was injured at Round 1 and it’s great to see him back towards the top of the times. Croker will need to find 1.563s to match the best lap time in his class so far.
Giuseppe Scarcella (Kawasaki BCperformance, ZX-6R) and Broc Pearson (Yamaha Motors Australia, Yamaha YZF-R6) completed the top five.
Kawasaki Top Ten Provisional Results
1. Cru HALLIDAY (Yamaha Racing Team, YZF-R6) 1:59.303
2. Tom TOPARIS (Cube Racing, Kawasaki ZX-6R) 1:59.951
3. Max CROKER (Mat Mladin, Suzuki GSX-R600) 2:00.866
4. Giuseppe SCARCELLA (Kawasaki BCperformance, Kawasaki ZX-6R) 2:01.062
5. Broc PEARSON (Yamaha Motors Australia, Yamaha YZF-R6) 2:01.272
6. John HUNT (Looking For Sponsor, Suzuki GSX-R600) 2:03.219
7. Zac JOHNSON (Rebuilder, Yamaha YZF-R6) 2:03.474
8. Thomas BRYDEN (YRD Yamaha, Yamaha YZF-R6) 2:03.578
9. Damon REES (Tony Rees Motorcycles, Honda CBR600RR) 2:03.825
10. Ty LYNCH (Adelaide Motorcycle Recovery (Neville Lush Racing, Yamaha YZF-R6) 2:04.135
Australian Supersport 300
Topping the timesheets was former Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup Rider, Oliver Simpson (Simpson Crash, Yamaha YZF-R3) who impressed many with his ability to adapt to The Bend. Simpson set a benchmark of 2:14.141 during the final session for his class. He is also a local South Australian.
Coming up in second was Tom Bramich (Yamaha YZF-R3) who looks like a strong contender for victories in Round 3. Bramich was only 0.081 behind the pacesetter Simpson.
Establishing herself in the top three was Tayla Relph (Yamaha YZF-R3). Relph was 0.21 off the front runner’s pace.
The top five was also made up of Oli Bayliss (Cube Racing, Kawasaki Ninja) and Harry Khouri (Excite M-sports, Yamaha YZF-R3).
As one of the most entertaining and competitive classes on the ASBK grid, there will clearly be plenty of overtaking and exciting battles to come when the Championship returns to The Bend.
Australian Supersport 300 Top Ten Provisional Results
1. Oliver SIMPSON (Simpson Crash, Yamaha YZF-R3) 2:14.141
2. Tom BRAMICH (Yamaha YZF-R3) 2:14.222
3. Tayla RELPH (Yamaha YZF-R3) 2:14.351
4. Oli BAYLISS (Cube Racing, Kawasaki Ninja) 2:14.400
5. Harry KHOURI (Excite M-sports, Yamaha YZF-R3) 2:15.282
6. Ben BAKER (BC Performance Junior Team, Kawasaki Ninja) 2:15.300
7. Dan THOMAS (Ingis plumbing, Yamaha YZF-R3) 2:15.438
8. Hunter FORD (South Sydney Commercial, Yamaha YZF-R3) 2:15.535
9. Travis HALL (Yamaha YZF-R3) 2:16.655
10. Mitchell KUHNE (Shark Leathers, Yamaha YZF-R3) 2:16.975
The action continues tomorrow for day two of the Official ASBK Test at The Bend Motorsport Park. ASBK will return to the track for a joint round with the FIM Asia Road Racing Championship (ARRC) 19-22 April.
Fans that wish to catch all the action at The Bend Motorsport Park for the ASBK and ARRC double header can purchase tickets here.
2018 ASBK Calendar
Official ASBK Test, The Bend Motorsport Park, Tailem Bend, SA April 3-4
Round 3- The Bend Motorsport Park, Tailem Bend, SA April 19 – 22
Round 4- Hidden Valley Raceway, Darwin NT June 28 – 1 July
Round 5- Morgan Park Raceway, Warwick QLD August 17 – 19
Round 6- Winton Motor Raceway, Benalla, VIC September 7 – 9
Round 7- Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit, VIC October 12 – 14
Follow Us:
To stay up to date with everything ASBK, head to www.asbk.com.au, like ASBK on Facebook, or follow on Instagram via ‘ASBK’.
Photo credit: Andrew Gosling tbg photography
