2016

Junior Champions crowned and Stars of Tomorrow shine at ASBK

News

GP Juniors

It was perfect track conditions as the GP Juniors lined their bikes on the grid to commence racing today. Scott Nicholson got to a flying start for race two, pulling almost a two second lead before the end of the first lap.

Nicholson, out in front with his head down, was followed behind by Benny Baker in second, and almost three seconds behind Baker was third placed Peter Nerlich all before the second lap was over.

With four laps for the race action to play out, the battle was for third, fourth, and fifth, Nerlich losing his position momentarily before regaining it back in the next corner. But unfortunately a hard charge from Joel Kelso to third saw Nerlich relegated to fourth.

Nicholson, who continued to lead was followed by Kelso who pushed his machine to edge out third placed Baker as bikes crossed the line to collect the chequered flag. Nerlich finished fourth, Joshua Hall in fifth, while Travis Hall finished sixth. Seventh, eighth, ninth and tenth were all respectively claimed by Zane Ford, Ben Bramich, Luke Power and Calum O’Brian.

In the third and final race for the GP Juniors, it was once again Nicolson who shot off to the early race lead ahead of Kelso and Baker, and with only four laps to race to victory, the youngest competitors of the round dashed to the finish line.

By the halfway mark in the third race, the running order saw Nicholson continuing to look strong out in front, while Kelso and Baker followed the Honda riders rear tyre. Nerlich and Luke Power were back in fourth and fifth positions, while Joshua Hall and Zane Ford each circulated inside the top five.

But it was on the last lap, that the battle for the lead played out. With Kelso finding late form, the junior overtook Nicholson for the lead, where he stayed for the remainder of the race.

And when the last chequered flag flew at Winton, it was Kelso who concluded round six with the final race victory, second position was taken by Nicholson while Baker wrapped up race three in third. Nerlich and Hall finished in positions fourth and fifth, while Ford, Ben Bramich, Hall, Power and Jack Cousens all finished inside the top ten.

With three classes 70cc, 85cc and 150cc competitng over the final round of the Australian Superbike Championship all three classes were awarded their Australian Championship titles.

Young Ben Bramich walked away from the weekend with the 150cc Championship, jds Joel Kelso claimed the 85cc Championship and Travis Hall rounded out the podium of Champions with his 70cc Championship.

150 cc Champion Ben Bramich

It has been an awesome year. I would like to give a massive thanks to mum and dad for making it all happen – Ron Angel classic Racing, Tingate Racing, Nolan Helments and Ricondi Leathers for the support. It has been bucket load of fun and I am imporving on the bike everytime I go out, so its been a great year, Bramich finished.

85cc Champion Joel Kelso

The last race I think I had a bit of a cold tyre because it just kept slipping out but eventually once I got grip we caught back up. Scotty put up a good fight so it was a good race. Winning this Championship is great I am speechless after that last race, he finished.

70cc Champion Travis Hall

I am really excited to have finished off the year with a Championship. I would like to thank all of my sponsors , and everyone for supporting me this year. Tonight I am just going to go home and celebrate with my family, he concluded.

Hartwell Stars of Tomorrow

The Club Challenge Hartwell Stars of Tomorrow were the first class to head out on the the Winton Motor Raceway circuit for their second race today, and after being penalised for a jump start yesterday which cost him the win, Emmanouil Ntaras hoped to redeem himself. But before the race had even started, Ntaras was forced to leave the grid with bike issues.

With a small amount of fluid on the track, the first race was reduced to five laps to allow time for clean up, and when racing eventually got under way it was Luke Jones who led the pack throughout the first lap.

But within only just one more lap Steve Willmott made the move on the Honda rider, snatching up the top spot, while yesterday’s race winner Douglas Bloomer also made his way past Jones, steering his Yamaha machine up to second position. But Bloomer wasn’t satisfied with second, and only moments later snatched away the race lead from Willmott where he remained for the duration of the race.

Despite starting on the second row of the grid, Willmott took second in race two, while Michael McGuire took the final podium position, crossing the line in third, 7.434 seconds behind the leader. Jones, and Adrian Forde finished in positions four and five respectively.

In race three for the Hartwell Stars of Tomorrow, it was Suzuki mounted Adrian Forde who emerged as the early race leader from Willmott in second and Jones in third.

With six laps on the board for the Club Challenge competitor’s second race of the day, Forde continued to stretch out his lead to an impressive 3.7 seconds, while behind Wilmott and Jones, Trent Binaisse and race two winner Bloomer were fighting it out for fourth positon.

But as riders headed in to their final lap, Binaisse captilised on a mistake from Willmott, and charged his way up to third place where he stayed for the remainder of the race.

And when the chequered flag flew, it was Forde who secured the final Club Challenge race victory, followed by Jones in second and Binaisse in third. Fourth place eventually was secured by Ntaras, followed by Bloomer who completed the top five.

With two classes competing in the in the Club Challenge Hartwell Stars of Tomorrow it was Trent Binaisse (1000cc) who’s results saw him take the Round 6 win, while 600cc competitor Douglas Bloomer also took home a Round 6 victory at Winton Motor Raceway today.

1000cc Hartwell Stars of Tomorrow Round 6 results: