‘Torpedo’ Toparis Back on the Winner’s Board for Australian Supersport

Tom Toparis (Cube Racing, Kawasaki ZX-6R) has claimed the first Australian Supersport win of the 2018 season at Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit. The victory setting him up for a big year on-board his Kawasaki machine for the Yamaha Motor Finance Australian Superbike Championship presented by Motul Pirelli (ASBK). The result was nothing short of impressive, with a 6.454s gap to his nearest challenger.

In the opening stages of the race, Toparis went from fifth on the grid, to the lead and built a significant gap, followed by Cru Halliday (Yamaha Racing Team, Yamaha YZF-R6), Broc Pearson (Yamaha, YZF-R6) and Max Croker (Mat Mladin, Suzuki GSX-R1000).

As the race began to settle, Toparis cleared off into the distance, with Halliday further behind and Croker managing to get past Pearson quickly. The top three (Toparis, Halliday, Croker) maintained positions until the checkered flag.

Toparis commented; “Despite not getting the best start off the line, I managed to take the lead very quickly. Got a gap and managed it to the end. There’s no way you can write Cru off however. It’s just great to get solid points to start the year and big thanks to the Cube Racing Team.”

Halliday shared his thoughts after taking second; “I’m a little disappointed by the race. We had a minor issue throughout the race. Let’s see what tomorrow brings.”

Croker was very pleased with his debut under the tutelage of Mat Mladin. Croker sharing; “It’s a fantastic result and probably one of my hardest rides ever. We have stepped up from the 300’s for this season and I’m feeling very comfortable with the Supersport bike. The team has been working very hard, after we had a few issues in qualifying, but we managed to get them sorted for the race.”

Fourth-placed Giuseppe Scarcella (BCPerformance Junior Team, Kawasaki ZX-6R) enjoyed his return to ASBK competition. The top five was rounded out by pole sitter Pearson.

Two more Australian Supersport races will take place on Sunday at 10:55am and 17:05pm local time, during the opening round of 2018 ASBK.

Australian Supersport Race One Provisional Top Ten
1. Tom TOPARIS (Cube Racing, Kawasaki) ZX-6R
2. Cru HALLIDAY (Yamaha Racing Team, Yamaha YZF-R6)
3. Max CROKER (Mat Mladin, Suzuki GSX-R1000)
4. Giuseppe SCARCELLA (BCPerformance Junior Team, Kawasaki ZX-6R)
5. Broc PEARSON (Yamaha, YZF-R6)
6. Brendan CLARKE (Champions Ride Days Race Team, Kawasaki ZX-6R)
7. Scott NICHOLSON (NextGen Motorsports, Suzuki GSX-R)
8. Damon REES (Carl Cox Motorsports, Honda CBR1000RR)
9. Aidan HAYES (Cube Racing Kawasaki ZX-6R)
10. Rhys BELLING (VIC) / LXI Racing  Yamaha YZF-R6)

2018 ASBK Calendar
Round 1- WSBK, Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit, VIC                           February 22 – 25
Round 2- Wakefield Park Raceway, Goulburn NSW                             March 16 – 18
Official ASBK Test, The Bend Motorsport Park, Tailem Bend, SA       April 3-4
Round 3- The Bend Motorsport Park, Tailem Bend, SA                        April 19 – 22
Round 4- Hidden Valley Raceway, Darwin NT                                      June 28 – 1 July
Round 5- Morgan Park Raceway, Warwick QLD                                   August 17 – 19
Round 6- Winton Motor Raceway, Benalla, VIC                                   September 7 – 9
Round 7- Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit, VIC                                  October 12 – 14

Photos courtesy of Andrew Gosling – tbg sport

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