Herfoss & Halliday crowned champions at Winton

Troy Herfoss (Penrite Honda Racing, CBR1000SP) has captured the 2018 YMI Superbike Championship, in what was an epic showdown at Round 6 of the Yamaha Motor Finance Australian Superbike Championship presented by Motul Pirelli (ASBK). He managed to wrap up the championship with a round to spare.

Images by TBGSport

YMI Superbike Race One

Herfoss took out the first race which was filled with drama from the outset. It started off with a bang as Bryan Staring (Kawasaki BCperformance, ZX-10R) crashed at turn one. The race was soon red flagged as a result and the riders would have to re-start.

Troy Herfoss – Image by TBGSport

When the race got back underway, Wayne Maxwell (Yamaha Racing Team, YZF-R1M) had a lightning start with Josh Waters (Team Suzuki ECSTAR, GSX-R1000R), Herfoss and Troy Bayliss (Desmosport Ducati, 1299 Panigale) in tow. Maxwell was pumping in fast laps but disaster struck when he crashed on lap eight. The Yamaha rider was obviously dejected as he realised it had ended his championship run for 2018.

Waters had taken the lead after Maxwell had crashed out, but he now had Herfoss to contend with. Herfoss managed to hit the front with only five laps to go with a daring overtake. Bayliss was also starting to charge and contend for victory.

As the race reached the concluding stages, an already crazy affair was brought to an end due to Adam Senior’s (Senior Engineering, Yamaha YZF-R1) bike catching on fire. As a result, the race was declared at the time of the red flag as two thirds of the race was competed.

Taking the win was Herfoss who clawed his way through the field after having a bad start, followed by Waters and Bayliss on the podium. Crucially Herfoss had got the job done on the previous lap for his victory to be secured.

Arthur Sissis (SA Demolition & Salvage, Honda CBR1000RRSP) had a phenomenal race to achieve fourth place and he appears to have his Honda dialed in around here. Daniel Falzon (Yamaha Racing Team, Yamaha YZF-R1) finished fifth, with Superbike rookies Mark Chiodo (Team Suzuki ECSTAR, GSX-R1000R and Ted Collins (NextGen Motorsports, BMW S1000RR) recording their best ever results in sixth and seventh.

The fans would have to wait till race two to see if Herfoss could wrap up the title.

YMI Superbike Race One Results

Troy HERFOSS (Penrite Honda Racing, Honda CBR1000SP)
Josh WATERS (Team Suzuki ECSTAR, Suzuki GSX-R1000R)
Troy BAYLISS (Desmosport Ducati, Ducati 1299 Final Edition)
Arthur SISSIS (SA Demolition & Salvage, Honda CBR1000RRSP)
Daniel FALZON (Yamaha Racing Team, Yamaha YZF-R1)
Mark CHIODO (Team Suzuki ECSTAR, Suzuki GSX-R1000R
Ted COLLINS (NextGen Motorsports, BMW S1000RR)
Matt WALTERS (Swann Insurance Superbike, Kawasaki ZX-10R)
Jamie STAUFFER (Craig McMartin Racing, Ducati Panigale R)
Kyle BUCKLEY (Kawasaki BCperformance, Kawasaki ZX-10R)

YMI Superbike Race Two

This afternoon’s second YMI Superbike race two was once again full of drama. This time Herfoss would lead, but Maxwell would take the ascendency on lap two. Unfortunately crashes by Chiodo and Jamie Stauffer (Craig McMartin Racing, Ducati 1299 Panigale) would cause a red flag.

Wayne Maxwell in the lead in Race 2 – Image by TBGSport

When the race restarted, Nathan Spiteri (Livson, Suzuki GSX-R1000R) also crashed and that caused yet again another red flag. Upon the third restart, the race would be reduced to 12 laps and Bayliss would lead from Maxwell and Waters. With clear air in front of him it would be interesting to see if he could make a break for it, Herfoss was back in fourth.

Maxwell made his move on lap three and would be looking to avenge his crash in race one. In the meantime, Herfoss was content in fourth, holding the championship points advantage he needed to secure the championship.

At half distance, Waters was the fastest rider on track and looked like he had his mojo back on the Suzuki and was all over Bayliss in second. Waters got the job done on Bayliss on lap 10 and moved into second. Herfoss made a mistake and went too deep into a corner and looked to have backed off, to ensure he won the championship today. Staring passed Herfoss on the final lap.

The Honda rider had done enough however, as Maxwell crossed the line to win the race, Herfoss had scored enough points to secure the 2018 YMI Superbike Championship! Herfoss was very emotional to secure his second ASBK Championship. Joining Maxwell on the podium was Waters and Bayliss in second and third.

Troy Herfoss tops the podium and takes the title – Image by TBGSport

Troy Herfoss, “That was too stressful! We had a bad start and we actually had a problem with the quick shifter. I wouldn’t mind going old school but it was cutting in and out. I’m just so happy because we’ve worked so hard and my rivals have been strong. To win it with a round to go, I wouldn’t have dreamt of it. Congratulations to the whole team! Wayne really had to work for that win and I’m sure he’s already planning next year’s assault.”

Wayne Maxwell, “It’s been and up and down day and year and sometimes that doesn’t equate to the effort you put in. There has been a bit of friction at times but I’ve always had the same goals as my team and it was great to end Troy’s winning streak. Congratulations to Troy winning the Championship.”

The championship may have been decided, but ASBK now looks forward to the championship finale at ‘The Island’ October 12-14. Its sure to be a great way to send off season 2018, with six classes battling it out for bragging rights.

YMI Superbike Race Two Provisional Results

Wayne MAXWELL (Yamaha Racing Team, Yamaha YZF-R1)
Josh WATERS (Team Suzuki ECSTAR, Suzuki GSX-R1000R)
Troy BAYLISS (Desmosport Ducati, Ducati Final Edition)
Bryan STARING (Kawasaki BCperformance, Kawasaki ZX-10R)
Troy HERFOSS (Penrite Honda Racing, Honda CBR1000RRSP)
Daniel FALZON (Yamaha Racing Team, Yamaha YZF-R1)
Arthur SISSIS (SA Demolition & Salvage, Honda CBR1000RRSP)
Kyle BUCKLEY (Kawasaki BCperformance, Kawasaki ZX-10R)
Mitch REES (Carl Cox M-sport, Honda CBR1000RRSP)
Glenn SCOTT (GSR Kawasaki, Kawasaki ZX-10R)

Supersport

Cru Halliday (Yamaha Factory Racing, Yamaha YZF-R6) has taken out the 2018 Kawasaki Supersport Championship, collecting the overall round win with a second in race one and a win in race two, to wrap it up the title at the penultimate round of the Yamaha Motor Finance Australian Superbike Championship presented by Motul Pirelli (ASBK).

Cru Halliday – Image by TBGSport

Halliday was speechless and relieved to take out the title here at Winton; “The pressure was on and I brought the new helmet here, so I had to wrap it up. That last lap on the track, I’ve never been so cautious going around a track on a motorcycle! I can’t wait to go out and celebrate this with the team, such a relief and thank god its over,” said the 2018 Kawasaki Supersport Champion Halliday.

Max Croker (Mat Mladin Racing, Suzuki GSX-R) took out second overall here at Winton after picking up his first Kawasaki Supersport race win in race one and then third in race two.

Tom Toparis (Cube Racing, Kawasaki ZX-6R) had an up and down weekend here at Winton, but he definitely will leave knowing he gave it everything he had, collecting third overall.

The feel-good story of the weekend was definitely the return to the class of Nic Liminton (Yamaha, YZF-R6) who collected fourth overall for the round.

Supersport Race One

The first Kawasaki Supersport race was action packed right from the first turn with both Halliday and Tom Toparis (Cube Racing, Kawasaki ZX-6R) running off the track, and that left Croker to nip up the inside and take lead.

Cru Halliday – Image by TBGSport

From the first corner Croker took off and put his head down and put a good gap on the field, cruising to his first Kawasaki Supersport victory by just over two seconds.

Croker was thrilled with the win; “Absolutely stoked to take the win after a crash in qualifying yesterday and starting from sixth on the grid, a massive thanks to my team for getting the bike together and it was working well throughout the race. Hopefully we can back it up in the next race again,” finished Croker.

The win broke Halliday’s winning streak but the Yamaha rider came from 14th after the first corner to fight his way through the field and grab second position, gaining valuable points toward his championship aspirations.

A welcome return to ASBK and a podium in his first race back, Nic Liminton (Yamaha YZF-R6) showed he has what it takes to be competitive in the Supersport class after his seamless return here at Winton.

Just missing the podium was New Zealand rider Damon Rees (Carl Cox M-Sports, Honda CBR RR) who had a good battle with Liminton throughout race one, but just could quite make the move to grab the last spot on the podium, settling for fourth.

Rounding out the top five and gaining momentum in his return to the paddock was Broc Pearson (Yamaha Aust, Yamaha YZF-R3) who continues to make progress after returning from injury.

In sixth position was Toparis, who started the race in second position, but he went in way to hot to the first turn and ran wide and slipped down to 13th. Toparis made his way back through the pack and collected sixth position.

Kawasaki Supersport Race One Provisional Results

Max CROKER (Mat Mladin Racing, Suzuki GSX-R) 18:17.761
Cru HALLIDAY (Yamaha Racing Team, Yamaha YZF-R6) 18:19.808
Nic LIMINTON (Yamaha YZF-R6) 18:23.735
Damon REES (Carl Cox M-sport, Honda CBR RR) 18:24.328
Broc PEARSON (Yamaha Aust, Yamaha YZF-R6) 18:26.937
Tom TOPARIS (Cube Racing, Kawasaki ZX6R) 18:34.118
Scott NICHOLSON (NextGen Motorsports) 18:37.993
Giuseppe SCARCELLA (Kawasaki BCperformance, Kawasaki ZX6R) 18:38.383
Jack PASSFIELD (Stay Upright Rider Training, Yamaha YZF-R6) 18:50.796
Ty LYNCH (Adelaide M-cycle Recovery, Yamaha YZF-R6) 18:50.934

Supersport Race Two

Race two was a clinical display from Halliday as he took the win after leading the race basically from start to finish. On the first lap Toparis made a move to take the lead from Halliday, but it didn’t take long for Halliday to take back the lead and put a gap between himself and the Kawasaki rider.

Max Croker – Image by TBGSport

Toparis was a man on a mission and was desperate to take out race two, pushing his bike to the limits and putting his breaks under serious pressure. Toparis was going into corners sideways and was riding on the edge, but just couldn’t keep with Halliday at the front.

Race one winner Croker was in the mix early in the race but after lap five, the pace was a bit to quick up the front for Croker to hang on. Settling for third position in what was a great round for the Suzuki rider.

Liminton showed no signs of his absence from the Kawasaki Supersport class, grabbing fourth to back up his third from race one, a great showing and look for him to continue this form at Phillip Island for round seven.

Rounding out the top five for the second time this weekend here at Winton was Pearson, his pair of fifth place finishes will give him great confidence in his return.

Sadly, for Rees, he was in the battle for fourth with Liminton but on lap ten he went to try and make a move up on the inside of Liminton, but he pushed the front end just a bit too much and ended up putting the bike down.