Bramich & Ford crowned at Phillip Island ASBK

Hunter Ford (Yamaha, YZF-R3) has clinched the 2018 YMF R3 Cup title in exceptional circumstances here at Round 7 of the ASBK at Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit.

Images by TBG

Tom Bramich (JLT, Yamaha YZF-R3) managed to win race two but a victory for Ford in race three sealed the title in the Yamaha Motor Finance Australian Superbike Championship presented by Motul Pirelli (ASBK).

Hunter Ford – 2018 YMF R3 Cup Champion

Hunter Ford (Yamaha, YZF-R3) clinched the 2018 YMF R3 Cup title, while Tom Bramich (JLT, Yamaha YZF-R3) managed to win race two but a victory for Ford in race three sealed the title.

YMF R3 Cup Race 1

Although starting from pole position, Taylor surprised his rivals after a quiet Race One in the Australian Supersport 300 Championship by amping up the pressure in the final laps of the YMF R3 Cup Race One, and in turn stealing first position.

YMF R3 Cup

In those mere millimetres of the final straight, second place was awarded to Zac Levy (Puma RV’s, Yamaha YZF-R3) who stretched out his muscles earlier today in Race One of the Australian Supersport 300 Championship. “It would have been nice to get the win today and maybe take the lead in the Championship, but we’ve got two more races tomorrow so there’s plenty to contend for.” stated Levy.

Taking out third and final podium position in Race One of the YMF R3 Cup was Hunter Ford (Yamaha, YZF-R3), whose raw energy as seen earlier in Race One of the Australian Supersport 300 Championship couldn’t extend out to the final seconds of this race. After starting from second position originally, Ford admitted; “It would have been better to be in front of Zac Levy, but in the end, I had to take whatever I could get. There’s definitely no strategy to this race, instead you just have to go for the win” explained Ford.

Coming in at fourth position was Tom Bramich (JLT, Yamaha YZF-R3), who maintained his original grid position earnt through his efforts during Qualifying One and Two yesterday. Bramich has maintained significant energy and dedication so far this weekend, defending his place in the top five of the Australian Supersport 300 Championship and the YMF R3 Cup.

Closing off the top five in Race One of the YMF R3 Cup was Tayla Relph (Baldivis Forklifts, Yamaha YZF-R3). Like Bramich, Relph navigated her way into the higher ranks of the competition and succeeded today by nabbing that coveted spot in the top five!

Starting from seventh position, Relph used this to her advantage in maintaining a secure lead ahead of the likes of John Lytras (Caboolture Yamaha, Yamaha YZF-R3) and Harry Khouri (Excite M-sports, Yamaha YZF-R3), who arrived in sixth and seventh position respectively. Relph will be one to keep an eye out for tomorrow, as we head into Race Two and Three in deciding the Champion of the YMF R3 Cup, as she’ll no doubt be hungry for a taste of that podium position!

YMF R3 Cup Race 1 Podium

YMF R3 Cup Provisional Race One Results

Locky TAYLOR (Shark Leathers, Yamaha YZF-R3)
Zac LEVY (Puma RV’s, Yamaha YZF-R3)
Hunter FORD (Yamaha, YZF-R3)
Tom BRAMICH (JLT, Yamaha YZF-R3)
Tayla RELPH (Baldivis Forklifts, Yamaha YZF-R3)
John LYTRAS (Caboolture Yamaha, Yamaha YZF-R3)
Harry KHOURI (Excite M-sports, Yamaha YZF-R3)
Mitch KUHNE (Shark Leathers, Yamaha YZF-R3)
Callum O’BRIEN (Banhams , Yamaha YZF-R3)
Max STAUFFER (Rock Oil, Yamaha YZF-R3)

YMF R3 Cup Race 2

Race Two of the YMF R3 Cup was as spectacular as the weather, with competitors battling it out to clinch their spot in the coveted top five. Nabbing first place was Bramich.

Coming in hot on Bramich’s heels was the Ford, who was quick to take the lead in lap one from pole position holder, Locky Taylor (Shark Leathers, Yamaha YZF-R3). Lap one also saw Luke Power crash out, which unfortunately has impacted his position on the ladder.

Clinching the final podium position for Race Two of the YMF R3 Cup was Taylor. Taylor was met with intense competition from his rival throughout all seven laps, meeting the likes of Talya Relph (Baldivis Forklifts, Yamaha YZF-R3), Zac Levy (Puma RV’s, Yamaha YZF-R3) and Callum O’Brien who all had their sights set on sinking their teeth into that podium.

Relph was a fan favourite in Race Two, coming from sixth to first position and keeping fans on the edge of their seats as she pulled out all stops in her campaign to nab her first podium position. Unfortunately, Relph couldn’t keep up the pace and fell back to ninth position as she crossed the finish line.

With so little space between the top three riders of this class, Race Three later this afternoon will promise an exhilarating show for all, where it’s each man and women for themselves.

YMF R3 Cup Race Two Provisional Results

Tom BRAMICH (JLT, Yamaha YZF-R3)
Hunter FORD (Yamaha, YZF-R3)
Locky TAYLOR (Shark Leathers, Yamaha YZF-R3)
Zac LEVY (Puma RV’s, Yamaha YZF-R3)
Harry KHOURI (Excite M-sports, Yamaha YZF-R3)
Mitch KUHNE (Shark Leathers, Yamaha YZF-R3)
Max STAUFFER (Rock Oil, Yamaha YZF-R3)
John LYTRAS (Caboolture Yamaha, Yamaha YZF-R3)
Tayla RELPH (Baldivis Forklifts, Yamaha YZF-R3)
Stephanie REDMAN (Awesome Haz #43, Yamaha YZF-R3)

YMF R3 Cup Race 3

The final race for the weekend, Race Three of the YMF R3 Cup displayed some of the best talent in Australia’s younger Road Race stars. In one of the closest leader boards of the weekend, Race Three also announced the official title winner of the YMF R3 Cup, Ford.

Hunter Ford

It was a title decider that no one could pick, with first position being thrown around from Taylor, Levy, Max Stauffer (Rock Oil, Yamaha YZF-R3), Bramich and Ford. If you weren’t already frazzled by Race Two, then Race Three would have certainly sent you over the edge.

Coming in for top podium position in Race Three was Ford, who grasped the victory in the final seconds. The fire in the ‘Podium Hunter’ was absolutely alight, as he used ‘The Island’s’ tight hairpins and sweeping turns to his advantage. Ford’s victory this afternoon also secures his victory as the title winner of the 2018 YMF R3 Cup, producing 288 points overall.

Arriving in second place on the podium for Race Three was Levy, who flew in to steal his spot less than one second after Ford. Levy’s success today has earnt him second place overall in the 2018 YMF R3 Cup, with 276 points.

YMF R3 Cup

Bramich enjoyed success earlier today in the Australian Supersport 300 Championship, but unfortunately couldn’t maintain the winning streak in the YMF R3 Cup, coming in third on the podium for Race Three. Thanks to his victory in Race Two and securing the final position on the Race Three podium, Bramich has come in third overall in the 2018 YMF R3 Cup with 272.5 points.

In weather that was nothing short of pristine, ‘The Island’ was the perfect setting to witness the scrabble of numerous excellent competitors in order to grab as many points as possible, in an attempt to separate themselves from their rivals. Relph and Laura Brown were additional impressive figures today who taught the boys a thing or two by dominating in the top 10 throughout both Race Two and Three.

YMF R3 Cup Race Three Provisional Results

Hunter FORD (Yamaha, YZF-R3)
Zac LEVY (Puma RV’s, Yamaha YZF-R3)
Tom BRAMICH (JLT, Yamaha YZF-R3)
Max STAUFFER (Rock Oil, Yamaha YZF-R3)
Locky TAYLOR (Shark Leathers, Yamaha YZF-R3)
Tayla RELPH (Baldivis Forklifts, Yamaha YZF-R3)
Harry KHOURI (Excite M-sports, Yamaha YZF-R3)
Mitch KUHNE (Shark Leathers, Yamaha YZF-R3)
Luke POWER (G. Williams Eng., Yamaha YZF-R3)
John LYTRAS (Caboolture Yamaha, Yamaha YZF-R3)

Supersport 300 Race 1

Chomping at the bit right behind the ‘Podium Hunter’ was Zac Levy (Puma RV’s, Yamaha YZF-R3) who took out second position on the podium for Race One, surprising many after coming out from behind after taking out sixth position in qualifying. Levy demonstrated his raw skill and perseverance in today’s race, using ‘The Island’s’ sweeping turns and lengthy straights to his advantage ahead of his competition.

Australian Supersport 300

Lucky third place getter on the podium in today’s Race One of the Australian Supersport 300 Championship was Tom Bramich (JLT, Yamaha YZF-R3) who started the race from fourth position. Bramich attacked in the final laps to secure his place on the podium in time for tomorrow’s Race Two and Three.

Surprising many today by storming through from ninth position in Qualifying Two to fourth position in Race One was none other than Seth Crump (Rock Oil, KTM RC). Although just missing out on a podium position, Crump has made it clear to his rivals that he means business and will no doubt use tomorrow’s Race Two and Three to push through to a podium position.

Rounding out the top five of today’s Australian Supersport 300 Championship Race One was Tayla Relph (Baldivis Forklifts, Yamaha YZF-R3), who worked tirelessly today to move from an initial seventh position to fifth position. Relph endured an intense scuffle throughout the entire race, which saw her fluctuate from eighth down to fifth position, keeping her family and fans on edge until the final seconds.

After the events of today, we are in for an intense battle tomorrow where every move will be key to securing a place in the podium and position in the Championship. With the addition of many unexpected faces in today’s tussle for Race One, you’d better grab some popcorn and expect the unexpected in tomorrow’s final two races of the Australian Supersport 300 Championship! As a result of his podium position, Bramich holds a 35-point lead heading into Sundays two races, ahead of Levy.

Australian Supersport 300 Race 1 Podium

Australian Supersport 300 Race One Results

Hunter FORD (Yamaha, YZF-R3)
Zac LEVY (Puma RV’s, Yamaha YZF-R3)
Tom BRAMICH (JLT, Yamaha YZF-R3)
Seth CRUMP (Rock Oil, KTM RC)
Tayla RELPH (Baldivis Forklifts, Yamaha YZF-R3)
Oli BAYLISS (Cube Racing, Kawasaki Ninja)
Callum O’BRIEN (Banhams WA, Yamaha YZF-R3)
Max STAUFFER (Rock Oil, Yamaha YZF-R3)
Laura BROWN (WNR, Yamaha YZF-R3)
Locky TAYLOR (Shark Leathers, Yamaha YZF-R3)

Supersport 300 Race 2

Emotions ran high with the crowning of the 2018 Australian Supersport 300 Champion and a first podium position for a fan favourite in Race 2. Coming in at second on the podium for Race Two of the Australian Supersport 300 Championship was Zac Levy (Puma RV’s, Yamaha YZF-R3), who used this race to keep a low profile until the final laps, where he sprung out and stole second place in the final straight.

Australian Supersport 300

Clinching the final podium position and getting her first taste of podium placement was Tayla Relph (Baldivis Forklifts, Yamaha YZF-R3), who couldn’t be happier to make history for herself and her family here at ‘The Island’. Relph was a sight for sore eyes in Race Two, dancing with her rivals and even leading the pack at one point.

In a race that saw Callum O’Brien (Banhams WA, Yamaha YZF-R3) crash out early in lap three, Oli Bayliss (Cube Racing, Kawasaki Ninja) and Hunter Ford (Yamaha, YZF-R3) crash out in lap five and Laura Brown (WNR, Yamaha YZF-R3) crash out at turn four of lap six, our podium winners remained composed and focused as they worked to dominate the competition.

Rounding out the remaining places in the top five was Seth Crump (Rock Oil, KTM RC) and Max Stauffer (Rock Oil, Yamaha YZF-R3), who both pulled out all stops early in the race to push their way up into the podium but just couldn’t keep up the pace in the final lap with Bramich, Levy and Relph.

Australian Supersport 300 Championship Race Two Results

Tom BRAMICH (JLT, Yamaha YZF-R3)
Zac LEVY (Puma RV’s, Yamaha YZF-R3)
Tayla RELPH (Baldivis Forklifts, Yamaha YZF-R3)
Seth CRUMP (Rock Oil, KTM RC)
Max STAUFFER (Rock Oil, Yamaha YZF-R3)
Harry KHOURI (Excite M-sports, Yamaha YZF-R3)
Locky TAYLOR (Shark Leathers, Yamaha YZF-R3)
Stephanie REDMAN (Awesome Haz #43, Yamaha YZF-R3)
Mitch KUHNE (Shark Leathers, Yamaha YZF-R3)
Zane FORD (Yamaha, YZF-R3)

Supersport 300 Race 3

Nearly replicating Race Two earlier today, Race Three of the Australian Supersport 300 Championship was nothing short of intense as riders battled it out up until the final straight.

Locky Taylor

Stealing top podium position for Race Three of the Australian Supersport 300 Championship was Locky Taylor (Shark Leathers, Yamaha YZF-R3) whose performance contrasted his more subdued finish in Race Two earlier today. Taylor’s perseverance this afternoon earnt him 293 points overall in the Championship and places him in at sixth position for the year.

Biting at Taylor’s heels right down the final straight and nabbing second place on the podium for Race Three was Oli Bayliss, who earlier today crashed out alongside Hunter Ford. Bayliss sits in fourth position overall in the Championship, with 325 points.

Clinching the final podium position in Race Three was Seth Crump, who has been in excellent form this weekend, appearing at the front of the pack at numerous points throughout each race. Crump’s efforts this weekend place him officially in fifth position behind Crump, with a total of 295 points.

Bramich took the overall round, ahead of Levy in second and Crump in third.

Race Three has now decided the top three of the 2018 Australian Supersport 300 Championship. First place was won by Bramich with an impressive overall lead gathering 418 points, who dominated throughout each race this weekend, demonstrating to his fans and rivals alike why he is the official Champion for the Australian Supersport 300.

Second place of the Championship has been awarded to Levy who couldn’t match Bramich in fighting for first place, but ensured he did everything he could to remain ahead of the competition with 379 points overall. Last, but certainly not least, third place was awarded to Ford who used this weekend to successfully dominate his rivals and clocked up a total of 336 points.