Hi-Tec Battaries Supersport 300 Winton Spectacular
Racing in the Hi-Tec Batteries Supersport 300 class of the Yamaha Motor Finance Australian Superbike Championship presented by Motul Pirelli was full of intrigue and significant moments today. In Race Two, Max Croker (KTM Australia KTM RC 390) was first across the line for the ‘Over 300’s and Reid Battye (DB Racing Kawasaki EX 300) first for the ‘Up To 300’s. In Race Three, Tom Bramich (Ron Angel Classic Racing, Yamaha YZF-R3 321) was first for the ‘Over 300’s and Reid Battye again took first place in ‘Up To 300’s at the Spokes.com.au presents Round 3 at Winton Motor Raceway.
The Hi-Tec Batteries Supersport 300 Race Two this morning ensured entertaining racing by the ‘Up to’ and ‘Over’ 300cc riders, as Max Croker quickly took charge and led Jack Mahaffy (JDS Moto, Yamaha YZF-R3 321) and Oli Bayliss (Cube Racing Kawasaki EX 300) with the rest of the field getting away cleanly. Yanni Shaw (BCperformance Junior Team, Kawasaki EX 300) suffered from his mistake and crashing on turn seven (remounted)
The extremely tight pack at the front of the field meant that there were eight bikes all fighting for the line into the Spokes.com.au turn two of the Winton track. It was Ty Lynch’s (Adelaide Motorcycle Recovery, Yamaha YZF-R3) front end that washed out with Oli Bayliss (3rd position) caught up in the melee, causing a red flag.
The race leading order was then reshuffled to include Mahaffy, Croker, and Bramich on restart after the bikes were taken off track to get tyre warmers on for 5 – 10 minutes.
The first three competitors across the line were Max Croker, Zac Levy and Tom Bramich for the Over 300’s class. The first of the Under 300’s was Reid Battyle. It was a race to remember for Croker and the results set the scene for an interesting Race Three.
Hi-Tec Batteries Supersport 300 Race 3 Top 10
1 Max CROKER (KTM Australia KTM RC 390) Over 300
2 Zac LEVY (Puma RV’s, Yamaha YZF-R3) Over 300
3 Tom BRAMICH (Ron Angel Classic Racing, Yamaha YZF-R3) Over 300
4 Tommy EDWARDS (Alpinestars, Yamaha YZF-R3) Over 300
5 Reid BATTYE ( DB Racing Kawasaki EX 300) Under 300
6 Scott NICHOLSON ( NextGen Motorsports Kawasaki EX 300) Under 300
7 Hunter FORD (O Fox, Yamaha YZF-R3) Over 300
8 Ben BRAMICH (Ron Angel Classic Racing, Yamaha R3 321) Over 300
9 Brandon DEMMERY (Deborah Motorsport, Yamaha R3 321 Over 300
10 Yanni SHAW (BCperformance Junior Team, Kawasaki EX 300) Under 300
Race Three
Race Three of the Hi-Tec Batteries Supersport 300 class was drama filled and action packed as riders of the ‘Up To’ and ‘Over’ 300cc machines fought for every inch of tarmac and every Championship point.
The fastest rider in the Supersport 300 class around Winton in Friday’s practice sessions, was Bayliss, but after he suffered two crashes over the weekend his points charge was dashed and he did not run in the final race. This left the door wide open to new challengers.
Jack Maffafy, Reid Battye and Max Croker lead the cleanly started race as Zac Levy (Puma RV’s, Yamaha R3 321) worked his way through the field of 32 riders that had quickly separated into three distinct groups.
Tom Edwards (Alpinestars, Yamaha YZF-R3) worked his magic on the field as he passed most without fuss in lap four. However, the streak would not continue for Edwards when Croker came off into the back of his bike with five laps to go on the Spokes.com.au turn two. Croker’s leg became tangled in Edwards’ back wheel. Edwards did an amazing job keeping the bike upright on the grass as he dragged Croker infield, causing a red flag restart.
In an incredible feat, Bramish managed to overtake three riders under brakes in the lead on to lap two of the restart. The enthralling last lap had spectators on the edges of their seats as the lead pack of riders made up of seven were all too close to call. Sparks were flying off foot pegs with bikes leaned over on such aggressive angles and as the ducking and weaving continued to the line where Bramich was too strong.
It would be Bramich, Mahaffy and Levy to cross the finish line in first, second and third place in the ‘Over 300’ category, with the ‘Up To 300’ final order consisting of Reid Battye, Scott Nicholson (NextGen Motorsports Kawasaki EX 300) and Yanni Shaw.
Tom Bramich
“It was all on after the red flag with everyone desperate to get to the finish in the three lap restart, but to come out with a win after such a hard start to the season, I just can’t thank my team enough.”
Reid Battye
I’d really love to thank my sponsors for getting me here today and setting me up with the right gear. The tumble I took into the air fence the other day has worn off. All I had to focus on was the person in front of me and with all the craziness that was going on around me I just had to stay safe but still try to get up to the front of the pack as best as I could. I didn’t get the win overall in the last race, but I did get the win in my class and that’s all that matters.
Scott Nicolson
“It was all on out there in that race with run offs and crashes and everything! We were going well until the restart where we lost a few positions but the whole package is there with the Pirelli tyres, Traction Control suspension and the NextGen Motorsports support. We didn’t get the result we wanted but we will try harder next time.”
Hi-Tec Batteries Supersport 300 Race 3 Top 10
1 Tom BRAMICH (Ron Angel Classic Racing, Yamaha YZF-R3)
2 Jack MAHAFFY (JDS Moto, Yamaha YZF-R3)
3 Zac LEVY (Puma RV’s, Yamaha R3)
4 Reid BATTYE (DB Racing Kawasaki EX 300)
5 Tommy EDWARDS (Alpinestars, Yamaha YZF -R3)
6 Scott NICHOLSON (NextGen Motorsports Kawasaki EX 300)
7 Brandon DEMMERY (Deborah Motorsport Yamaha YZF R3)
8 Hunter FORD (O Fox, Yamaha YZF-R3)
9 Jack PASSFIELD (Stay Upright, Yamaha YZF-R3 321)
10 Corey BRIFFA (Alex Cudlin M-sports Yamaha YZF-R3)
