Practice sessions soon got underway in the warming and clear conditions this morning, where pit garages were abuzz as teams soon got down to the business of setting up machinery and posting fast lap times.
Motul Supersport
For the 17 year old Victorian Ted Collins (NextGen Motorsports, Suzuki GSXR- 600), Winton Motor Raceway is a very comfortable track, the young gun pulling a very respectable 1:23.764 ahead of Chris Quinn (Coopers HXR, Yamaha YZF-R6) with a 1:24.554. The man from Northern New South Wales is now poised in second place after missing out on Friday’s practice bragging rights by the narrowest of margins to Collins (0.790 seconds) before the Motul Supersport (SSP) Qualifying kicks off tomorrow morning.
Both Quinn and Sam Lambert (Addicted to Track, Yamaha YZF-R6) shaved nearly 2 full seconds off their Practice 1 times, improving with each session to a best for the day in Practice session 3. Even though posting a third fastest time for the day at Winton Motor Raceway with a 1:24.580, Lambert isn’t exactly off the pace. The Northern Territorian is literally on Quinn’s rear tyre, less than 0.030 seconds separate the pair.
Collins stated “Its a really great track, and I am very comfortable at Winton. The NextGen Motorsports have got the bike right today. I have a spare bike that is also up to pace and its just really great to have a good team behind me. I can’t wait to go racing! The grip on the track is good and it makes for some quick lap times and I feel like I have settled into a rhythm here.” The quietly confident young lad surmised.
However, it was Mark Chiodo (Repsol Gas Racing, Triumph 675R) that was in hot contention behind Collins at the Official ASBK Test day a couple of weeks ago. Chiodo managed fourth on the timesheets today clocking up a 1:24.601 and will be one to watch during qualifying tomorrow.
Qualifying one (Q1) of the 2017 Motul Supersport Championship is scheduled for 9:50am local time on Saturday, with Q2 due to take place at 1:15pm.
Motul Supersport Top 10 Times
1 Ted COLLINS (NextGen Motorsports, Suzuki GSX-R) 1:23.764
2 Chris QUINN (NSW) / Coopers HXR Yamaha YZF-R6 1:24.554
3 Sam LAMBERT Addicted to Track, Yamaha YZF-R6) 1:24.580
4 Mark CHIODO (Repsol Gas Racing, Triumph 675 R) 1:24.601
5 Sam CONDON (Bikebiz, Yamaha YZF-R6) 1:24.834
6 Nic LIMINTON (Race Center, Yamaha YZF-R6) 1:24.918
7 Mason COOTE (Aark Racing,Yamaha YZF-R6) 1:25.101
8 Tom TOPARIS (Cube Racing, Kawasaki ZX6R) 1:25.174
9 Cambridge OLIVIER (Sydney West Riders, Yamaha YZF-R6) 1:25.552
10 Sam MULDOON (Proworx Racing, Kawasaki ZX6R) 1:25.777
Hi-Tech Batteries Supersport 300
Queenslander Oli Bayliss (Cube Racing, Kawasaki EX-300) was mister consistent all day on track with his best time of 1:33.020 setting the bench mark for all the other Hi-Tec Batteries Supersport 300 riders in both the ‘Over’ and ‘Up To’ categories of the class.
Cool, calm and collected, Bayliss shared his on track thoughts; “I am really happy with my results today and how Practice has ended. I’ve been quickest out of all three sessions with a best of a 33 flat. I just hope it doesn’t rain tomorrow so that I can keep it going. There are so many other contenders in class that I have to look out for. Drew Sells (Race Center, Kawasaki EX-300) is obviously really quick around here, so is Scott and Reid. It’s going to be tough, but I will try to come away with a win!” Bayliss ended.
Reid Battye from New South Wales (DB Racing, Kawasaki EX-300) suffered a fall on Turn Two of the track, but managed to slip in the second fastest for the day across the class with a 1:33.70. Battye said after his crash; “Apart from the tumble that I just had on turn two into the air fence, I’m feeling ok about the Friday Practice session. I was in a bit of shock before but I’m getting over that now and doubt it will affect my confidence heading into tomorrow’s Qualifying sessions. I knew my mistake as soon as I got on the gas too early in the corner. I will clear my mind tonight and correct my riding in the morning and aim for better results. This weekend is more challenging for me than Wakefield Park was. I can post competitive times here, but anything can happen in a race.” He finished.
Hot on his heels was NextGen Motorsports’ Scott Nicholson (NextGen Motorsports, Kawasaki EX 300), the Victorian posting a competitive 1:33.935.
Qualifying one (Q1) of the 2017 Hi-Tec Batteries Supersport 300 Championship is scheduled for 10:25am local time on Saturday, with Q2 due to take place at 12:10pm.
Hi-Tech Batteries Supersport 300 Top 10 Times
1 Oliver BAYLISS (Cube Racing, Kawasaki EX 300) 1:33.020
2 Reid BATTYE (DB Racing Kawasaki EX 300) 1:33.730
3 Scott NICHOLSON (NextGen Motorsports, Kawasaki EX 300) 1:33.935
4 Max CROKER (KTM Australia KTM RC 390) 1:34.084
5 Yanni SHAW (BCperformance Junior Team, Kawasaki EX 300) 1:34.779
6 Jack MAHAFFY (JDS Moto, Yamaha R3 321) 1:34.872
7 Ben BRAMICH (Ron Angel Classic Racing, Yamaha R3 321) 1:34.997
8 Drew SELLS (Race Center, Kawasaki EX 300) 1:35.028
9 Tommy EDWARDS (Alpinestars, Yamaha R3 321) 1:35.038
10 Brandon DEMMERY (Deborah Motorsport, Yamaha R3 321) 1:35.291
2017 Yamaha Motor Finance Australian Superbike Championship Presented by Motul Pirelli Calendar:
Round 3 Spokes.com.au presents Winton Motor Raceway, VIC 28-30 April
Round 4 Hidden Valley Raceway, NT 7-9 July
Round 5 Morgan Park Raceway, QLD 25-27 August
Round 6 SMSP Eastern Creek, NSW 8-10 September
Round 7 Spokes.com.au presents Phillip Island Circuit, VIC 6-8 October
