Mark Chiodo has been a dominant force so far, topping session after session. The situation got interesting in the final Qualiying session as Ted Collins (NextGen Motorsports, Suzuki GSX-R600) almost snatched pole in the late stages.
Collins sensationally improved upon his speed to finish only .001s behind Chiodo in second place. After being slightly off the pace in Friday’s practice sessions, Collins pulled the time out of the hat to just miss out on pole. Collins was visibly disappointed to just miss out on the fastest time, but his sublime race craft could allow him to snatch victories tomorrow.
Chris Quinn (Coopers HXR, Yamaha YZF-R6) after looking mightily impressive in testing and practice sessions at Morgan Park Raceway, has secured third place on the grid. Quinn has been plagued with suspension problems throughout the practice sessions, but managed to find the right balance to secure a front row grid slot. The Yamaha rider’s fastest time being a 1:15.944.
Tom Toparis (Cube Racing, Kawasaki ZX6R) from Goulburn NSW, qualified fourth in class. Second in the Championship Toparis, also can’t be counted out for a win tomorrow as he is known for his electric starts and could find himself fighting up the front tomorrow. Toparis’ fastest time was a 1:16.016.
Completing the top five was the determined Nic Liminton (Race Center, Yamaha YZF-R6). His fastest time was a 1:16.206.
Crashers in the qualifying sessions included Ryan Sellen (BCperformance Junior Team, Kawasaki ZX6R) and Sam Muldoon (Proworx Racing, Kawasaki ZX6R), both riders were uninjured.
Motul Supersport Provisional Qualifying Results
1 Mark CHIODO (Repsol Gas Racing, Triumph 675 R) 1:15.560
2 Ted COLLINS (NextGen Motorsports, Suzuki GSX-R600), 1:15.561
3 Chris QUINN (Coopers HXR, Yamaha YZF-R6) 1:15.944
4 Tom TOPARIS (Cube Racing, Kawasaki ZX6R) 1:16.016
5 Nic LIMINTON (Race Center, Yamaha YZF-R6) 1:16.206
6 Sam MULDOON (Proworx Racing, Kawasaki ZX6R) 1:16.462
7 Sam CONDON (Bikebiz, Yamaha YZF-R6) 1:16.726
8 Mason COOTE (Aark Racing,Yamaha YZF-R6) 1:16.746
9 Cambridge OLIVIER (Sydney West Riders, Yamaha YZF-R6) 1:17.526
10 Jordan CARLSSON (Dave’s Smash Repairs, Yamaha YZF-R6) 1:17.756
Quotes from the Riders:
Mark Chiodo:
“The qualifying sessions went extremely well. From qualifying one I knew we still had plenty of pace left in reserve and I ended up shaving another half a second off my fastest time. It’s great to head into tomorrow’s race from a position of strength and secure another pole position.”
Ted Collins:
“That session went really well for us. We put in a banker lap at the start of the session and with about four minutes to go we rolled out of pit lane and ended up being only a thousandth of a second off pole! I’m a little disappointed that I just missed out, but we have great race pace so I’m looking forward to tomorrow.”
Chris Quinn:
Happy to get P3 on the grid, we chipped away and improved our speed. We have been troubled with suspension issues so far but we managed to overcome them. Our race pace is very consistent in the low 16’s all the time, so I’m confident for tomorrow.
Photos
TBG Photography
