YMF R3 Cup Wide Open after Saturday’s Racing

Two races took place today for the YMF R3 Cup, effectively bookending Saturday’s preceding’s for the Yamaha Motor Finance Australian Superbike Championship presented by Motul Pirelli (ASBK). Taking victory in Race One was Tom Bramich (Yamaha, Yamaha YZF-R3) before pole setter Hunter Ford (Ford Brothers Racing, Yamaha YZF-R3) bounced back in Race Two to claim victory.  

Race One
Taking the lead into turn one was Bramich, followed by Ford and Harry Khouri (Acid Racing, Yamaha YZF-R3). By the second lap, Bramich had a one second advantage and it was clear from the outset he was comfortable in the damp conditions and trying to put a gap between himself and the competition.

Max Stauffer (Chris Watson Motorcycles, Yamaha YZF-R3) was also starting to make an impression to move himself into the podium position.

By the time there was five laps to go, Bramich had amassed a huge lead of six seconds. Constantly in the 1:54’s to decimate the competition. The best anyone else could achieve was in the 1:56’s by the mid-stage of the race.

As the competitors raced down to the finish line, Bramich collected a special win with a 10.860s gap over the pole man Ford.

Stauffer looked on course for a podium placing, but was pipped to the line by the charging Zac Levy (Puma RV’S, Yamaha YZF-R3). Rounding out the top five was Callum O’Brien (BANHAMS WA, Yamaha YZF-R3).

Bramich explained his strategy; “It was always the plan to try and make a break for it at the start. It was actually more wet out there than I thought it was going to be. We took risks in the opening stages of the race to try and build that gap. I knew everyone else would be hesitant in the damp. We still have plenty of races to go, so we’ll have to keep it on two wheels.”

YMF R3 Cup Race One Provisional Results
1. Tom BRAMICH (Yamaha, Yamaha YZF-R3)
2. Hunter FORD (Ford Brothers Racing, Yamaha YZF-R3)
3. Zac LEVY (Puma RV’S, Yamaha YZF-R3)
4. Max STAUFFER (Chris Watson Motorcycles, Yamaha YZF-R3)
5. Callum O’BRIEN (BANHAMS WA, Yamaha YZF-R3)
6. Locky TAYLOR (LTR Racing, Yamaha YZF-R3)
7. Ross BEAMES (Yamaha YZF-R3)
8. Harry KHOURI (Acid Racing, Yamaha YZF-R3)
9. Travis HALL (Yamaha YZF-R3)
10. Tayla RELPH (North Star Yamaha, Yamaha YZF-R3)

Race Two
Starting from pole, Ford didn’t have it all his own way in Race Two of the YMF R3 Cup with only just over a second separating Ford in first and Taylor in fifth position. Ford battled up front with Bramich, Levy, Khouri and Taylor.

The five riders at the front of the pack swapped positions throughout the exciting eight-lap race, and the race wasn’t decided until the final seconds, as Ford snatched the victory.

Stauffer, O’Brien, Laura Brown (WNR, Yamaha YZF-R3), Hall and John Lytras (Yamaha YZF-R3) rounded out the top 10, in what is looking like being a hotly contested championship in 2018.

The final Round 1 race for the YMF R3 Cup will take place at 8:55am tomorrow morning, and with Ford and Bramich both claiming race wins, the overall is well and truly up for grabs in Race Three.

YMF R3 Cup Race Two Provisional Results: 
1. Hunter FORD (Ford Brothers Racing, Yamaha YZF-R3)
2. Tom BRAMICH (Yamaha, Yamaha YZF-R3
3. Zac LEVY (Puma RV’S, Yamaha YZF-R3)
4. Harry KHOURI (Acid Racing, Yamaha YZF-R3)
5. Locky TAYLOR (LTR Racing, Yamaha YZF-R3)
6. Max STAUFFER (Chris Watson Motorcycles, Yamaha YZF-R3)
7. Callum O’BRIEN (BANHAMS WA, Yamaha YZF-R3)
8. Laura Brown (WNR, Yamaha, Yamaha YZF-R3)
9. Travis HALL (Yamaha YZF-R3)
10. John LYTRAS (Yamaha YZF-R3)

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

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Photos courtesy of Andrew Gosling – tbg sport