Maxwell fastest in Practice for Round 4 at Morgan Park

Wayne Maxwell has set the early benchmark in practice for Round 4 of the 2019 Motul Pirelli Australian Superbike Championship (ASBK) this weekend (July 5-7). The Team Suzuki ECSTAR Australia rider posted a 1:13.334 to push him to the top of the combined timesheets in today’s three Kawasaki Superbike practice sessions. Maxwell topped the session ahead of the second-placed Queenslander Mike Jones (Desmosport Ducati, Ducati Panigale 1299 FE, 1:13.452) and Yamaha Racing Team’s Cru Halliday (1:13.452). Maxwell made the best of the overcast weather conditions, setting his fastest time in a shortened third session thanks to a heavy Glenn Scott (GSR, Kawasaki ZX10R) fall at Turn 3. 

“It’s a really good start for the team and I, the GSX-R worked really well” said Maxwell after practice. “Around this circuit it’s very good off the slow corners which I’m not good at, so the Suzuki makes up for that! There’s just a few little things that we’re working away on, just to make sure we’ve got good braking stability and the bike’s easy enough to ride over the journey.” 

Coming in fourth fastest of the day was Maxwell’s Suzuki teammate Josh Waters with a 1:13.527 ahead of Halliday’s teammate Daniel Falzon (1:13.798). The surprise packet of the day was privateer Matt Walters (Kawasaki Connection, Kawasaki ZX10RR) who finished the day faster than some of his factory-backed rivals in sixth with a competitive 1:13.798.

Motorsports TV Supersport

Tom Toparis (Leda Nutrition, Yamaha YZF R6) continued his good form, emerging at the head of the Motorsports TV Supersport field with a 1:15.455 in the third session. However it wasn’t the dominant performance that we had come to expect from Toparis, with The Bend Race 3 winner Nic Liminton (Yamaha Australia, Yamaha YZF R6, 1:15.694) continuing where he left off, displaying good pace to finish the day second fastest only a couple of tenths off of Toparis’ time.

Team Suzuki ECSTAR Australia’s Reid Battye emerged third fastest, posting a 1:15.835 despite a small tumble in the third session when he lost the front end heading into Turn 6. Queensland local Corey Turner (52 Motorsports, Honda CBR600) showed his home ground advantage, slotting the Honda into fourth with a 1:15.934. He finished on top of Callum Spriggs (Allsite Concrete Cutting, Yamaha YZF R6, 1:16.309) in fifth and Broc Pearson (City2Surf Locksmiths, Yamaha YZF R6, 1:16.484) in sixth.

YMI Supersport 300

Senna Agius (Schuberth, Kawasaki Ninja 400) proved the quickest in YMI Supersport 300, posting a 1:24.380 in the third session of the day. He would top the timesheets ahead of a gaggle of Yamahas, with Locky Taylor (Yamaha Australia, Yamaha YZF-R3) the best of the rest. Taylor posted a 1:24.586 to land himself in second-fastest spot. Behind him was John Lytras (Caboolture Yamaha, Yamaha YZF R3, 1:24.627) who after topping the first session finished the day in third fastest. Hunter Ford (Yamaha, Yamaha YZF R3, 1:24.758), Harry Khouri (Excite M-sports, Yamaha YZF R3 1:25.046) followed, ahead of New Zealand Moto3 Champion Yannis Shaw (WRP Bridgestone, 1:25.067) on a second Ninja 400.

YMF R3 Cup

Taylor would top the timesheets in the YMF R3 Cup, posting a 1:24.236 for fastest of the day, while Lytras was next best behind Taylor once again with a 1:24.276. Brandon Demmery (Rustic Flooring, Yamaha YZF R3, 1:24.568) posted a good result to land third, while Khouri got the better of Ford this time, his 1:24.825 besting Ford’s 1:25.035. Harrison Voight (Voight Contracting, Yamaha YZF R3) rounded out the top six with a 1:25.042. 

bLU cRU Oceania Junior Cup

For the bLU cRU Oceania Junior Cup, Tom Drane’s (Yamaha YZF R15) second session time was good enough for fastest of the day, with the New South Welshman clocking a 1:40.031. Two tenths back was Queenslander Max Gibbons, his best of 1:40.031 also came in the second session. His time was good enough for second ahead of Angus Grenfell (1:40.291), Jacob Roulstone (1:40.693), Marianos Nikolis (1:40.745) and Jai Russo (1:40.747).

Superbike Masters

Finally in the Superbike Masters, John Allen (Custom Coating and Maintenance, Yamaha TZ750, 1:22.265) took fastest time of the day, ahead of Murray Clark (Suzuki GSX-R, 1:23.321), and Gregory James (Honda CB 1100 R, 1:27.270). Mark McVeigh was fourth (MotoDNA, Yamaha FZR1000, 1:28.441), Scott Webster fifth (T & K Carney, Suzuki GSX 1200, 1:33.022), and Richard Easton sixth (1:34.152). 

Round 4 of the 2019 Motul Pirelli Australian Superbike Championship (ASBK) continues from Morgan Park, Queensland until July 7. For updates, information, and to purchase tickets, visit ASBK.com.au

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Images courtesy of Andrew Gosling – tbg sport