2017

Moto 3 & Motorsports NT Challenge Bring the Heat to ASBK

Moto 3 / 125GP Friday Practice

The Moto 3 / 125GP class took to the track as part of the Yamaha Motor Finance Australian Superbike Championship presented by Motul Pirelli (ASBK), for the first time in 2017 in today’s Practice sessions. Competitors were determined to set themselves up for a strong weekend in the Darwin heat. It was Joel Kelso of the Deborah Motorsports team (Honda NSFR250) to dominate in class.

Based on the entry-level category featured in the MotoGP World Championship, Moto 3 is made up of the purpose built Yamaha, Honda, and Aprilia race bikes. With their lightweight frames and the ability to be more technically modified than in other road race categories, Moto 3 is a great addition to ASBK Round 4.

Competitors relished in the optimal track conditions all day, and it was Kelso who was fastest, with a 1:15.831 time, to place in front of his rival Dylan Whiteside (Aussie Crane Trucks, Honda NSFR250). Kelso dominated the opening two sessions but still managed to maintain the fastest overall time in class, despite being edged out in the final practice.

In second position it was Victorian rising star Whiteside after an impressive performance. He registered a time of 1:16.062. Whiteside posted his fastest lap time in the final session of the day.

Slotting into third position was 15-year-old South Australian, Dallas Skeer (Penrite Oils, Honda NSFR250) with a 1:16:918.

In fourth, the very talented Taran Ocean rode well to post a time of 1:19:983. Ross Taylor rounded out the top five after he achieved a respectable lap time of 1:20.136.

With the practice sessions concluded for Moto 3 / 125GP, tune into asbk.com.au to see how the class fares in Qualifying One at 9:25 AM (ACST), Qualifying Two at 11:55 AM and Race One at 15:55 – the final session on Saturday.

Moto 3 / 125GP Provisional Friday Practice Results
1    Joel KELSO (Deborah Motorsports, Honda NSFR250) 1:15.831
2    Dylan WHITESIDE (Aussie Crane Trucks, Honda NSFR250) 1:16.062
3    Dallas SKEER (Penrite Oils, Honda NSFR250) 1:16.918
4    Taran OCEAN (Keith Ogilvie, Honda RS125) 1:19.983
5    Ross TAYLOR (GDR, Honda NSFR250) 1:20.136
6 Scott TOPPING (B-spoke Design, Honda RS125) 1:20.198
7 David DOUGHTY (Fastline GPRacing, Aprilia RS125) 1:20.407
8 Mark LAING-HUGHES (Yamaha TZ125) 1:22.311
9 Nick MATHIAS (Fastline GPRacing, Honda RS125) 1:25.432
10 Peter McFARLANE (Honda RS125) 1:27.976

Motorsports NT Club Challenge Friday Practice

The Motorsports NT Club Challenge class saw several of Darwin’s up and coming rider talents hit the track for practice. Waiting at the gate before the green flag waved to mark their practice session, anticipation to get out on the circuit was in the air as they sped off in a rumble. Riders all enjoyed favourable and hot track conditions that made for fascinating results.

Warwick Price (Yamaha YZF-R6) shone brilliantly by topping Friday practice for the Motorsports NT Club Challenge. Price set the fastest lap in Practice Three to make the Challenge paddock sit up and take notice at Hidden Valley Raceway. Price will be looking to put himself in prime position for this weekend’s racing. His fastest lap was a 1:16.638.

In second position behind Price was Douglas Clark (Suzuki GSX-R1000). Clark seemed well on course to dominate today’s preceding’s but did not post a lap in the final practice session. Clark’s fastest lap was a 1:17.071, approximately four tenths behind.

In third position was Matt Edwards (Triumph Daytona 675R). The Triumph mounted rider finished a further eight tenths behind Clark with a laptime of 1:17.839.

Fourth belonged to Patrick Hamon (Triumph Daytona 675R). Hamon sat out the first and third practice sessions. With his lack of track time, there could be pace left in the tank for Hamon. His best time was a 1:18.798.

To round out the top five, was Peter Troon on his Yamaha R6. Troon competed in every session to finish with a fastest of 1:19:059.

Stay tuned to live timing on asbk.com.au to see whether Price can maintain his brilliant speed in tomorrow’s qualifying sessions for the Motorsports NT Club Challenge.

Motorsports NT Club Challenge Provisional Friday Practice Results
1 Warwick PRICE (Yamaha YZF-R6) 1:16.638
2 Douglas CLARK (Suzuki GSX-R1000) 1:17.071
3 Matt EDWARDS (Triumph Daytona 675R) 1:17.839
4 Patrick HAMON (Yamaha YZF-R6)    1:18.798
5 Peter TROON (Yamaha YZF-R6) 1:19.059
6 Bradley LE SUER (Ducati 998) 1:20.985
7 Nunzio META (Suzuki GSX-R600)    1:21.345
8 Andre STEENBERG (BMW S1000R) 1:21.621
9 Robert CLARKE (Triumph Daytona 675R)    1:25.058
10 Merrawyn ROGERS (Suzuki GSX-R600) 1:35.074

Can’t make it to the track? Then make sure you watch the ASBK, Sunday on channel SBS at 2:30 PM AEST or Live Stream on asbk.com.au from 10:30 AM AEST.

Tickets for Round 4 Hidden Valley Raceway in Darwin are now available for purchase online. Snap up your tickets today by clicking here!

Follow Us: Stay up to date with all the latest news and updates from the ASBK at Round 4 at Hidden Valley Raceway by liking ASBK on Facebook, following the @asbk on Instagram and checking out the ASBK website here.

To access the digital program, simply click on the photo below. If you wish to download the program to take it on the go, sign up and create an ISSUU account.

2017 Yamaha Motor Finance Australian Superbike Championship Presented by Motul Pirelli Calendar:
Round 4 Hidden Valley Raceway, NT	7-9 July
Round 5 Morgan Park Raceway, Warwick, 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