HI-TEC Batteries Australian Supersport 300 Ignite Winton

The Hi-Tec Batteries Supersport 300 Race One was action packed and drama filled from the outset of the Spokes.com.au presents Round 3 of the Yamaha Motor Finance Australian Superbike Championship presented by Motul Pirelli (ASBK)

No sooner had the race started when it was red flagged due to an incident on lap one at turn one involving Jack Passfield (Stay Upright, Yamaha YZF-R3), Hunter Ford (O Fox, Yamaha YZF-R3), Tom Edwards (Alpinestars, Yamaha YZF R3) and Billy Van Eerde (KTM Australia, KTM RC390). The race was restarted with the full grid however was reduced to 7 laps. Jarrod Brook (KTM Australia, KTM RC390) crashed on the opening lap of the restart at turn nine.

Race leaders, Oli Bayliss (Cube Racing, Kawasaki EX300) and Max Croker (KTM Australia, KTM RC390) unfortunately went down on lap five, leaving the gate wide open for challengers to pick up points.

Jack Mahaffy (JDS Moto, Yamaha R3) as an ‘Over 300’ rider was the winner of the Hi-Tec Batteries Supersport 300 Race One, saying on the podium; “It was unbelievable race with really great riders that allowed for mix and match riding. It’s never good to end up on the podium with the front two guys going down, but that’s how it goes sometimes. The competition is just unreal this year and real back and forward stuff!” Mahaffy ended.

Scott Nicholson (NextGen Motorsports, Kawasaki EX 300) couldn’t contain his excitement on the first place mat at the ‘Up To’ 300 podium, saying; “It was a good race, I struggled a bit in the second pack and had a great battle with Tommy Bramich, but once I got to the front of that pack I thought I could relax a bit. Once I saw Oli (Bayliss) and Max (Croker) go down I thought I better have a crack at it to take my first win!”

Hot contender at Winton, Reid Battye (DB Racing, Kawasaki EX 300) didn’t have the day he planned for, after placing second in the ‘Up To 300’ category. He shared “I did what I could to finish the race. The other riders out there were riding really well. As excited as I am to be on the podium again, I was a little bit down on confidence after the crash yesterday, as the wall I contacted didn’t tickle, but RACESAFE did a great job in sorting it out for me and getting me back out there.”

Zac Levy (Puma RV’s, Yamaha YZF-R3) ‘Over 300’ Second place getter said; “It’s great to snatch second place after not much practice, it’s all points and that’s what we are chasing at the end of the day. Let’s just see how tomorrow goes.”

Securing third place for the ‘Up To 300’ category, Yanni Shaw (BCperformance Junior Team, Kawasaki EX-300) said; “Its a bit of work to catch the guys in front of us. A lot of the guys are carrying huge lean angles into the corners and unfortunately washing out, but I’m glad to have podiumed in Race 1 of the Round.” He finished.

Race 2 of the hotly contested Supersport 300 class is scheduled for 12:05pm tomorrow.

Top 10 Hi-Tec Batteries Supersport 300 Race 1 Results
1   Jack MAHAFFY (JDS Moto, Yamaha R3)                                 Over
2   Zac LEVY (Puma RV’s, Yamaha R3)                                         Over
3   Scott NICHOLSON (NextGen Motorsports, Kawasaki EX 300) Up To
4   Ty LYNCH (Adelaide Motorcycle Recovery, Yamaha R3)           Over
5   Tom BRAMICH (Ron Angel Classic Racing, Yamaha R3)          Over
6   Reid BATTYE (DB Racing, Kawasaki EX 300)                           Up To
7   Corey BRIFFA (Alex Cudlin M-sports, Yamaha R3)                    Over
8   Yanni SHAW (NSW) / BCperformance Junior Team, Kawasaki EX 300) Up To
9   Brandon DEMMERY (Deborah Motorsport, Yamaha R3)            Over
10 Ben BRAMICH (Ron Angel Classic Racing, Yamaha R3)           Over

2017 Yamaha Motor Finance Australian Superbike Championship Presented by Motul Pirelli Calendar:
Round 3    Spokes.com.au presents Winton Motor Raceway, VIC    28-30 April
Round 4                                           Hidden Valley Raceway,     NT    7-9  July          
Round 5                                           Morgan Park Raceway,     QLD 25-27 August
Round 6                                           SMSP Eastern Creek,       NSW  8-10 September  
Round 7    Spokes.com.au presents Phillip Island Circuit,    VIC 6-8  October

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Don’t forget to watch ASBK on Live Stream and SBS this Sunday. Straight from the track to you!

Pictured: Jack Mahaffy at Winton 2017
Photo courtesy of Andrew Gosling TBG Photography.