ASBK Round 2 Wakefield Park Wrap - Herfoss victorious

Rivals and fierce competitors Troy Herfoss (Penrite Honda Racing) and Wayne Maxwell (Yamaha Racing Team) both collected wins at Round 2 Wakefield Park Raceway for the YMI Superbike Championship. However as a result of his pole position, race victory and second place finish, Herfoss now leads the points standings.

Both races were a great example of the phenomenal racing that fans are now accustomed to from the Yamaha Motor Finance Australian Superbike Championship presented by Motul Pirelli (ASBK).

YMI Superbike Race One

Maxwell took an incredible race one victory by managing to out drag Herfoss down the start finish straight. The two were in a league of their own for the entire race and it all came down to the final lap, when Maxwell managed to snare the victory.

Wayne Maxwell took the Race 1 win – Image by TBG Sport

In the opening stages of the race, Herfoss took the lead, followed by Maxwell, Josh Waters (Team Suzuki ECSTAR, GSXR-R1000R), Troy Bayliss (Desmosport Ducati, Panigale FE), Daniel Falzon (Yamaha Racing Team, YZF-R1M), Bryan Staring (Kawasaki BCperformance, ZX-10R) and Matt Walters (Swann Insurance Superbike, Kawasaki ZX-10R). Mark Chiodo (Team Suzuki ECSTAR, GSXR-R1000R) was an early casualty falling on the opening lap.

It didn’t take long for the top trio to make a break for it and check out at the front. Bayliss and Falzon were having an entertaining scrap, with Falzon trying to get past with little success, Staring also trying to get ahead of them. Eventually Bayliss ran wide and Falzon and Staring made their way through.

On the final lap, it looked like Herfoss had the edge, but the ‘Wayne Train’ stuck it up the inside of Herfoss and managed to drag him to the finish, to cross the finish line in first. 2017 YMI Superbike Champion, Waters finished a distant third.

Wayne Maxwell – Image by TBG Sport

Coming in fourth was young charger Falzon, followed by Staring, Bayliss, Glenn Allerton (NextGen Motorsports, BMWS1000RR) and Jamie Stauffer (Craig McMartin Racing, Ducati Panigale R) in the top eight.

Maxwell sharing; “It was such a tough battle and a lot of mind games out there, really happy to get the win and take back a few points to the leading guys. Hopefully we can repeat the result this afternoon. I knew Troy was looking to get good drive on the final straight but I got a great run on him and it was just enough with the engine on the Yamaha to get the job done!”

YMI Superbike Race One Provisional Results

Wayne MAXWELL (Yamaha Racing Team, Yamaha YZF-R1M)
Troy HERFOSS (Penrite Honda Racing, Honda CBR1000SP)
Josh WATERS (Team Suzuki ECSTAR, Suzuki GSXR-R1000R)
Daniel FALZON (Yamaha Racing Team, Yamaha YZF-R1M)
Bryan STARING (Kawasaki BCperformance, Kawasaki ZX-10R)
Troy BAYLISS (Desmosport Ducati, Ducati Panigale FE)
Glenn ALLERTON (NextGen Motorsports, BMWS1000RR)
Jamie STAUFFER (Craig McMartin Racing Ducati Panigale R)
Alex PHILLIS (Phillis Racing Suzuki, Suzuki GSXR-1000RR)
Matt WALTERS (Swann Insurance Superbike, Kawasaki ZX-10R)

YMI Superbike Race Two

Herfoss went from pole position to a race win, in YMI Superbike Race Two. At the start of the race, Maxwell got a great start once again and led the field from Herfoss, Waters, Bayliss and Falzon.

The top three once again were pulling a significant gap to the chasing Bayliss and Falzon. This time, Falzon was able to get past Bayliss much quicker and complete a move on lap three.

Troy Herfoss and Wayne Maxwell battled it out at Wakefield and in Race 2 Herfoss took the win- Image by TBG Sport

As the race went on Maxwell, Herfoss and Waters were in a very exciting battle for the victory. Eventually Herfoss was able to make a great pass on Maxwell on lap 12 and race home to the checkered flag. Honda rider, Herfoss’ pace was unstoppable in the final laps, smashing low 58 second laps, which the others couldn’t match.

Sharing the podium with Herfoss, was Maxwell and Waters. Fourth place went to Falzon, followed by Bayliss, Stauffer, Allerton and Alex Phillis (Phillis Racing Suzuki, Suzuki GSX-1000R) in a very impressive performance on the privateer Suzuki.

It was a disastrous race for former championship leader, Staring who was out of the race on lap 9. A significant blow to his title hopes.

Troy Herfoss – Image by TBG Sport

Herfoss saying after the race; “It feels great to take another round win here at Wakefield and put the Honda on top. We’re feeling good with the bike and ready to fight.”

Herfoss now leads the championship with (105) points, in front of Waters (95) and Maxwell (88).

ASBK heads to the Bend Motorsport Park for Round 3 of the championship 19-22nd of April. Its sure to be a thrilling round as the championship heads to the brand-new track for 2018!

ASBK Round 2 Wakefield Park – Overall Round Podium – Maxwell (2), Herfoss (1), Waters (3) – Image by TBG Sport

YMI Superbike Race Two Provisional Results

Troy HERFOSS (Penrite Honda Racing, CBR1000SP)
Wayne MAXWELL (Yamaha Racing Team, YZF-R1M)
Josh WATERS (Team Suzuki ECSTAR, GSX-R1000R
Daniel FALZON (Yamaha Racing Team, Yamaha YZF-R1M)
Troy BAYLISS (Desmosport Ducati, Ducati Panigale FE)
Jamie STAUFFER (Craig McMartin Racing, Ducati Panigale R)
Glenn ALLERTON (NextGen Motorsports, BMW S1000RR)
Alex PHILLIS (Phillis Racing Suzuki, Suzuki GSX-1000R)
Michael BLAIR (Michael Blair Racing, Yamaha YZF-R1)

Kawasaki Supersport

Taking both wins for the Kawasaki Supersport class was Cru Halliday (Yamaha Racing Team, YZF-R6). After such a strong round its looking like a healthy and competitive rivalry is brewing between himself and Tom Toparis (Cube Racing, Kawasaki ZX-6R) for the title within the Yamaha Motor Finance Australian Superbike Championship presented by Motul Pirelli (ASBK)

Kawasaki Supersport Race One

It was a phenomenal and measured race win by Halliday. He stated on the grid that he was nervous for the race ahead, but those fears were put to rest quickly as he made a quick getaway from his starting grid position, to lead the race.

Cru Halliday proved dominant in the Supersport class – Image by TBG Sport

Halliday was followed by Toparis and Lachlan Epis (ResponseRE, Kawasaki ZX-6R). The trio would remain within a seven second spread, until Halliday crossed the line, taking the win on his Factory YZF-R6 machine.

Joining Halliday on the podium was Toparis and Epis. Broc Pearson (Yamaha Motors Australia, Yamaha YZF-R6) finishing in a lonely fourth place. The battle for fifth was the highlight of the race with Max Croker just managing to take the position in front of Giuseppe Scarcella (BCperformance Jnr Team, Kawasaki ZX-6R), Jordan Carlsson (Cini Fences, Yamaha YZF-R6) and Nic Liminton (LDA Racing, Yamaha YZF- R6).

Halliday sharing; “It was super windy out there. I just wanted to build a gap on Tommy (Toparis) as he’s been very strong this weekend. I knew if I could get the lead I could maintain my position for the race. We’re well prepared for the next race and looking forward to it.”

Cru Halliday – Image by TBG Sport

According to Toparis; “The wind was insane out there and it was a big unknown at the start of the race. I had a few moments on the front there. Hopefully we can make adjustments to the bike, come out and stay closer to Cru.”

Epis saying; “Unfortunately I made the wrong setup choice this morning. I was riding my heart out and I couldn’t keep up with the boys in front. We had a good battle with Tommy at the start but he managed to get away from us quite early on.”

Kawasaki Supersport Race One Results

Cru HALLIDAY (Yamaha Racing Team, Yamaha YZF-R6)
Tom TOPARIS (Cube Racing, Kawasaki ZX-6R)
Lachlan EPIS (ResponseRE, Kawasaki ZX-6R)
Broc PEARSON (Yamaha Motors Australia, Yamaha YZF-R6)
Max CROKER (Mat Mladin, GSXR-600)
Giuseppe SCARCELLA (BCperformance Jnr Team, Kawasaki ZX-6R)
Jordan CARLSSON (Cini Fences, Yamaha YZF-R6)
Nic LIMINTON (LDA Racing, Yamaha YZF- R6)
Damon REES (Carl Cox M-sports, Honda CBR600RR)
Dallas SKEER (Ron Angel Classic Racing Suzuki GSXR-600)

Kawasaki Supersport Race Two

Halliday took another dominant win in race two and showcased just how good the YZF-R6 is in his capable hands. Toparis took another strong second place, but distant to the winner. Finishing in third was Pearson who is having a very strong season so far. The race was brought to a premature end, due to a red flag.

Cru Halliday topped the overall round podium – Image by TBG Sport

At the start of the race Halliday took the lead once again but he was quickly overtaken by a charging Toparis. It wouldn’t take long for Halliday to regain the ascendency, getting in front of Toparis with 11 laps to go. From there it was the Halliday show and he controlled the race to perfection.

The red flag came out after 14 laps due to a crash involving Carlsson and Rhys Belling (LXI Racing, Yamaha YZF-R6). The race was declared and Halliday took the race victory, 3.739 seconds in front of Toparis.

The consistent Pearson finished on the podium, in front of Croker, Scarcella, Rees, Scott Nicholson (NextGen Motorsports, Suzuki GSXR-600) and Cambridge Olivier (YRD, Yamaha YZF-R6).

After today’s racing, Toparis still leads the Kawasaki Supersport Championship standings with 155 points, in front of Halliday (111) and Pearson (85).

ASBK heads to the Bend Motorsport Park for Round 3 of the championship 19-22nd of April. Its sure to be a thrilling round as the championship heads to the brand-new track for 2018!