The races certainly displayed an incredible level of on track craft from all riders. It was Tommy Edwards (Alpinestars, Yamaha YZF-R3) and Reid Battye (BCperformance Junior Team, Kawasaki Ninja 300) who shared the overall race wins for the ‘Over’ and ‘Up To’ subcategories of the fully subscribed class in Race Two.

Race Two

In this morning’s opening nine lap affair, Edwards inched to a 0.141 second victory over Jack Mahaffy (JDS Moto, YZF-R3) and it was even tighter behind them in the battle for the final podium position of third outright which would go to Max Crocker (KTM Australia, KTM RC 390).

The field got away to a clean start with no jump start penalties awarded to any of the 36 competitors. Billy Van Eerde (KTM Australia, KTM RC 390) quickly got to work and led the pack for four laps until Edwards caught up to him.

Oliver Bayliss (Cube Racing, Kawasaki Ninja 300) was with the front runners until lap five when he ran off track at Turn One. Bayliss was up uninjured. Van Eerde also crashing out, and gifting his position on the final lap, ending his podium chance. Mahaffy took the second position, bringing it over the line behind Edwards.

 The first three riders taking the chequered flag, were within 0.457 of each other.

‘Over 300’

Climbing onto the podium in the end was top ‘Over’ 300 finisher Edwards , overcoming Mahaffy and Croker.

‘Up To 300’

Reid Battye (BCperformance Junior Team, Kawasaki Ninja 300)  took charge of the ‘Up To’ category, spitting the spoils over second place getter Lachlan Epis (ResponseRE, Kawasaki Ninja 300) and Yanni Shaw (BCperformance Junior Team, Kawasaki Ninja 300) following in third in category, but 14th outright.

Provisional Race 2 Top Ten Results

1 Tommy EDWARDS (Alpinestars, Yamaha YZF-R3) ‘Over’

2 Jack MAHAFFY (JDS Moto, YZF-R3) ‘Over’

3 Max CROKER (KTM Australia, KTM RC 390)  ‘Over’

4 Reid BATTYE (Bcperformance Junior Team, Kawasaki Ninja 300) ‘Under’

5 Broc PEARSON (YRD, Yamaha YZF-R3) ‘Over’

6 Zac LEVY (Puma RV’s, Yamaha YZF-R3) ‘Over’

7 Lachlan EPIS (ResponseRE, Kawasaki Ninja 300) ‘Under’

8 Locky TAYLOR (Locky Taylor Racing, Yamaha YZF-R3) ‘Over’

9 Seth CRUMP (Jason Crump, KTM RC 390) ‘Over’ 

10 Joel KELSO (Deborah Motorsports, Yamaha YZF-R3) ‘Over’

Race Three

Race Three saw Bayliss take the win for the Up To 300 class, only a hair ahead of Battye as Drew Sells (Race Centre, Kawasaki Ninja 300) finished third in category but 21st outright.

It was yet another barn-burner behind the front men, this time with the front four riders finishing within one second of Eerde who led the pack, trailed by Edwards and Broc Pearson (YRD, Yamaha YZF-R3)

In a great start for Bayliss, he took command of the field into Turn One followed by Battye and Mahaffy. However, slicing and dicing quickly ensued as tyre temperatures and confidence levels rose.

Eerde overtook the lead on lap two and stayed out there for the duration. Battye, Bayliss and Mahaffy locked in a tussle until lap three when Mahaffy ran wide. The mistake allowed Eerde to reclaim first and pull a.145 of a second gap, in front of Edwards, Pearson, and Bayliss.

Quotes from the Riders:

Reid Battye

Awesome races all weekend. The last race I managed to get a bit of clean air which meant I could concentrate harder, to take the win overall. I can’t thank my team enough for putting together a really great package that is a strong podium contender in the class. Bring on Round 6!”

Billy Van Eerde

It was a good race, but I didn’t get off to the best start as I did in Race One and Two, but I fought through the whole race. It was definitely the most fun I’ve ever had on the track. I managed to get up the inside of Tommy on Turn 6 and take it from there.

The KTM 390, having an extra 90cc’s than the ‘Under’s’ really helps down the straights if I can hold it pinned in the corners too!”

Oli Bayliss

“I had a bingle in Race Two and was lucky enough to get back out there and compete in the next race. The competition is crazy out there. It’s easy to drop places very quickly. Racing in such a close and large field forces us to be better and more driven on track. I am looking forward to gridding up next time!”

Provisional Race 3 Top Ten Results

1         Billy VAN EERDE (KTM Australia, KTM RC 390)

2         Tommy EDWARDS  (Alpinestars, Yamaha YZF-R3)

3         Broc PEARSON  (Yamaha Yamaha YZF-R3)

4         Oliver BAYLISS  (Cube Racing Kawasaki EX 300)     

5         Zac LEVY (Puma RV’s ,Yamaha YZF-R3)

6         Reid BATTYE (Bcperformance Junior Team Kawasaki EX 300)

7         Max CROKER (KTM Australia KTM RC 390)

8         Locky TAYLOR (LTR Racing, Yamaha YZF-R3)

9         Tom BRAMICH Ron Angel , Yamaha YZF-R3)        

10       Brandon DEMMERY (Deborah M’sports Yamaha YZF-R3)

Over 300cc Top 5 SERIES POINTS

1          Tom BRAMICH (Ron Angel, Yamaha YZF-R3)                           214.5

2          Billy VAN EERDE (KTM Australia, KTM RC 390)                        210

3          Brandon DEMMERY (Deborah Motorsports Yamaha, YZF-R3)  208

4          Zac LEVY (Puma RV’s, Yamaha YZF-R3)                                   207

5          Tommy EDWARDS (Alpinestars, Yamaha YZF-R3)                    206

UP TO 300cc Top 5 SERIES POINTS

1          Reid BATTYE (BCperformance Kawasaki EX 300)                     310

2          Yanni SHAW (BCperformance Kawasaki EX 300)                      225

3          Drew SELLS (Race Centre Kawasaki EX 300)                           223

4          Oliver BAYLISS (Cube Racing Kawasaki EX 300)                      214

5          Laura BROWN (Ricondi, Kawasaki EX 300)                               176