Stauffer Reigns Supreme in YMF R3 Cup at Winton
Young gun Max Stauffer (Rock Oil, Yamaha YZF-R3) has taken out the YMF R3 Cup here at the Spokes.com.au presents Round 6 at Winton Motor Raceway. Stauffer rode his way to two race victories and third place finish to take out the round here at the Yamaha Motor Finance Australian Superbike Championship presented by Motul Pirelli (ASBK).
Second overall for the round here at Winton was Tom Bramich (JLT, Yamaha YZF-R3), his win in race three sees him move to within 12.5 points of the championship lead.
Locky Taylor put together a consistent weekend’s riding and that put him into third overall. Taylor ended the round with race results of two third place finishes and a fourth place.
A crash in race two hampered the weekend of the YMF R3 Cup Championship leader Hunter Ford (Yamaha, Yamaha YZF-R3), but he still managed to salvage important points with two second place finishes in race one and three.
Race Two
Race two of the YMF R3 Cup was action packed right from the start and a red flag bought a premature end to the race, but it would be Stauffer taking the win, making it two from two in the YMF R3 Cup.
Stauffer is proving to be quite the Winton specialist this weekend; “That was a weird race that one with the red flag, a bit of confusion with the result but somehow I have come out on top so I’m pretty happy about that,” said Stauffer.
Right from the get go the racing was tight with Hunter Ford (Yamaha, Yamaha YZF-R3) getting a great jump from second on the grid but he had to hit the brakes and he tapped the back wheel of Stauffer.
Stauffer, Ford led a lead group that included six riders, Tom Bramich (JLT, Yamaha YZF-R3), Locky Taylor (Shark leathers, Yamaha YZF-R3), Zac Levy (Puma RV’S, Yamaha YZF-R3) and Tayla Relph (Earmold Australia, Yamaha YZF-R3).
The racing was tight and close, but Ford made the move on Stauffer to take the lead and he set off to put a gap on the field. Ford was racing out in front and enjoyed a couple of bike lengths on the field until disaster struck on lap five, when he put the bike down and was out of the race.
Poor Mitch Kuhne (Shark Leathers, Yamaha YZF-R3) came around the bend where Ford’s bike was a made contact which sent him over the bars, these crashes brought out the red flag and the race was declared on lap five.
With the race declared, the podium was filled by Stauffer, who grabbed his second YMF R3 Cup win of the weekend, Levy took second whilst Taylor claimed the last spot on the podium.
Just missing the podium was Bramich in fourth and rounding out the top five was Relph.
YMF R3 Cup Race Two Provisional Results
1. Max STAUFFER (Rock Oil, Yamaha YZF-R3) 6:15.454
2. Zac LEVY (Puma RV’s, Yamaha YZF-R3) 6:15.972
3. Locky TAYLOR (Shark Leathers, Yamaha YZF-R3) 6:16.480
4. Tom BRAMICH (JLT, Yamaha YZF-R3) 6:16.670
5. Tayla RELPH (Earmold Australia, Yamaha YZF-R3) 6:17.303
6. Zane FORD (Yamaha, Yamaha YZF-R3) 6:19.616
7. John LYTRAS (Caboolture Yamaha, Yamaha YZF-R3) 6:20.652
8. Luke POWER (G. Williams Eng, Yamaha YZF-R3) 6:20.771
9. Travis HALL (Barrys Dyno, Yamaha YZF-R3) 6:27.150
10. Dan THOMAS (Inglis plumbing, Yamaha YZF-R3) 6:27.706
Race Three
Race three was once again an exciting affair, with the lead changing at almost every turn throughout the eight laps here at Winton, but it would Bramich who got the better of the field to win the drag to the line.
The #44 had a riveting battle with Ford and Stauffer as the trio went back and forth early in the race, but by lap 6 Bramich and Ford made a small brake and went head to head. The last lap was on the edge of your seat material, with the pair making moves at any opportunity, and a drag to the line made the difference.
Bramich had to fight all the way to the line for the win; “It was great to get the best result for my team, and it was close and tough racing which is common in this class. The finish was super close but I just had to get on the gas and get over the line, I would like to thank all my sponsors for helping me get here this weekend,” said Bramich.
Ford would settle for second and Stauffer would cruise behind the front two to take out the last spot on the podium.
Taylor just missed the podium collecting the fourth position, whilst the top five was rounded out by Levy.
Relph would finish just outside the top five in sixth but very easily could have found herself on the podium if a bit of luck went her way.
Australian Supersport 300 Race Three Provisional Results
1. Tom BRAMICH (JLT, Yamaha YZF-R3) 12:24.475
2. Hunter FORD (Yamaha, Yamaha YZF-R3) 12:24.542
3. Max STAUFFER (Rock Oil, Yamaha YZF-R3) 12:24.814
4. Locky TAYLOR (Shark Leathers, Yamaha YZF-R3) 12:25.428
5. Zac LEVY (Puma RV’s, Yamaha YZF-R3) 12:25.886
6. Tayla RELPH (Earmold Australia, Yamaha YZF-R3) 12:26.340
7. John LYTRAS (Caboolture Yamaha, Yamaha YZF-R3) 12:36.160
8. Luke POWER (G. Williams Eng, Yamaha YZF-R3) 12:36.396
9. Zane FORD (Yamaha, Yamaha YZF-R3) 12:37.080
10. Travis HALL (Barrys Dyno, Yamaha YZF-R3) 12:44.578
The YMF R3 Cup will be back in action for the final round of the 2018 season at Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit on October 12-14.
ASBK Digital Program
ASBK is pleased to announce the arrival of the digitalised Official ASBK Round 6 Program.
The program can be found on the website ASBK.COM.AU.
Public access to the digital ASBK Program will feature many interesting and informative sections including; rider entry lists, race schedules, previous round wrap ups, championship points standings, track information, biographies, getting started in racing information, partnership information, race pictures and so much more.
Stay up to date with all the latest news and updates from ASBK by liking ASBK on Facebook, following the @asbk on Instagram and checking out the ASBK website here.
Remaining 2018 ASBK Calendar Rounds
Round 7- Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit, VIC October 12 – 14
Images Courtesy of TBGSport
