A thrilling five-rider scrap in the third and final Australian Supersport 300 Championship race at Phillip Island this morning has resulted in the overall victories for Zac Levy (Puma RV’s YZF-R3) in the Over 300 and Tom Edwards (Steelline Ninja 300) in the Up To 300 categories.
On-track together but scored separately, the Over and Up To 300 racers put on a mega show for onlookers at round one of the Yamaha Motor Finance Australian Superbike Championship supported by Motul Pirelli.
Last year’s YMF R3 Cup winner, Levy broke through for his first combined Supersport 300 win of the weekend in today’s eight-lap affair, finishing 0.514s ahead of Jack Mahaffy (JDS Moto YZF-R3) and Edwards, who was top of the Up To 300s.
The top five – Levy, Mahaffy, Edwards, Reid Battye (IPONE Ninja 300) and Jack Passfield (Stay Upright YZF-R3) – were separated by just 0.633s as the chequered flag flew. Battye also claimed a new Supersport 300 lap record at Phillip Island after posting a flying 1m50.402s on lap eight.
Joining Levy on the Over 300 podium overall for the round was Max Croker and defending champion Brandon Demmery (Deborah Motorsports YZF-R3), while Edwards stood atop the Up to 300 podium ahead of Battye and last year’s champion Drew Sells (Race Center Ninja 300).
The consistently fast Tom Edwards was ecstatic with his podium finish; “I didn’t end up with the win today, but I did win overall this weekend and I couldn’t ask for any more really. It was such close and tight racing between the front guys and my bike was feeling amazing too! I really enjoyed racing here with these guys at Phillip Island. I can’t wait for the next round!”
Round two second place getter, Reid Battye said; “It was an early race start this morning, which was awesome. The race was so tight it was unbelievable. I scored lap record! But P2 for me is a fantastic way to start up the 2017 championship and I am just so happy with the way it all turned out today!”
Drew Sells commented on his podium placment; “It was a good race and I managed to stick it out with the boys. Unfortunately, in laps 5 or 6 I lost a little ground through Siberia. We’re stoked with how the last race went because we’ve been having troubles all weekend, but the guys have given me an awesome podium proven package that will be a really fierce contender coming into round two at Wakefield.”
With the stage set for a hard-fought season ahead, boasting a host of emerging rising stars, round two of the Australian Supersport 300 Championship will take place at Wakefield Park in New South Wales between 17-19 March.
Live timing and results can be found here
