Mahaffy and Edwards dominate R3 Cup at SMSP

Round 6 Sydney Motorsport Park played host to Race One of the YMF R3 Cup, part of the Yamaha Motor Finance Australian Superbike Championship presented by Motul Pirelli (ASBK). Securing pole position for the YMF R3 Cup was Jack Mahaffy (JDS Moto, Yamaha YZF-R3).

Races Two and Three of the YMF R3 Cup were won by Jack Mahaffy and Tommy Edwards in stellar fashion, with Edwards now leading the Championship at the conclusion of the round.

YMF R3 Cup

Despite Tommy Edwards (Alpinestars, YZF-R3) looking like the fastest of the bunch during yesterday’s practice sessions, Mahaffy put in a storming lap when the chips were down. Edwards qualified behind Mahaffy in second position.

Edwards took off well from second on the grid but he was soon overtaken by Mahaffy. What ensued was a terrific battle between Mahaffy, Edwards and Hunter Ford (Ford Brothers Racing, Yamaha YZF-R3). The trio were chopping and changing, lap by lap.

On the last lap, the leading trio of riders were basically in unison, with nothing between them. Ford looked on course to take the advantage with the lead in the first sequence of corners, but it wouldn’t take long for Edwards to slot his bike in front around the back of SMSP. Edwards would hold that advantage to take a win with a margin as close as 0.070 over Ford and Mahaffy.

Tommy Edwards

Broc Pearson (Yamaha, YZF-R3) and Corey Briffa (Alex Cudlin Motorsport, Yamaha, YZF-R3) finished in a distant fourth and fifth placings.

Ford would manage to set a new YMF R3 Cup race lap record for SMSP.

Provisional YMF R3 Cup Race One Top Ten

Tommy EDWARDS (Alpinestars, YZF-R3)
Hunter FORD (Ford Brothers Racing, Yamaha YZF-R3)
Jack MAHAFFY (JDS Moto, Yamaha YZF-R3)
Broc PEARSON (Yamaha, YZF-R3)
Corey BRIFFA (Alex Cudlin Motorsport, Yamaha, YZF-R3)
Locky TAYLOR (LTR Racing, Yamaha YZF-R3)
Ben BRAMICH (Ron Angel Classic Racing, Yamaha YZF-R3)
Tayla RELPH (Motorcycle Sportsmen Club, Yamaha YZF-R3)
Jonah SITA (Flashpoint Motorsport, Yamaha YZF-R3)

Race Two

Jack Mahaffy (JDS Moto, Yamaha YZF-R3) won Race Two of the YMF R3 Cup class. It would be Tommy Edwards (Alpinestars, Yamaha YZF-R3) to manage the lead into turn one with a lightning start.

Hunter Ford

In the early stages of the race, Mahaffy, Edwards, Hunter Ford (Ford Brothers Racing, Yamaha YZF-R3) and Broc Pearson (Yamaha, YZF-R3) blew open a gap at the front and were constantly trading places.

On the last lap Edwards was leading but was overtaken by Mahaffy in the first sequence of corners. Mahaffy then made a break for it and took a .227s victory over Edwards. Ford tried to slipstream past Edwards but was just too far back. Pearson finished behind the trio in fourth a further 2.363s back.

Mahaffy shared at the podium; “That was a really close race! Starting from Pole Position definitely helps. I had to play it smart and it was very close until the last lap. There was a bit of a clash towards the finish and I was able to recover from it quite well to make a break at the end.”

Championship points stood at 219 between Mahaffy and Edwards apiece at the conclusion of Race Two.

YMF R3 Cup Race Two Results

Jack MAHAFFY (JDS Moto, Yamaha YZF-R3)
Tommy EDWARDS (Alpinestars, Yamaha YZF-R3)
Hunter FORD (Ford Brothers Racing, Yamaha YZF-R3)
Broc PEARSON (Yamaha, YZF-R3)
Corey BRIFFA (Alex Cudlin Motorsport, Yamaha, YZF-R3)
Ben BRAMICH (Ron Angel Classic Racing, Yamaha YZF-R3)
Locky TAYLOR (LTR Racing, Yamaha YZF-R3)
Tayla RELPH (Motorcycle Sportsmen Club, Yamaha YZF-R3)
Jonah SITA (Flashpoint Motorsport, Yamaha YZF-R3)
Boyd HOCKING (DPH Motorsport Yamaha, YZF-R3)

Race Three

Race Three was another masterclass from rider Edwards, although once again Mahaffy got the hole shot into turn one. The highlight of the race was the battle beween Edwards, Mahaffy and Ford.

Tommy Edwards

The stoush was once again set for a thrilling conclusion as the trio went into the last lap, Ford was leading into the final corner but it would be Edwards to get an excellent slipstream to take the win.

As Edwards took the checkered flag, it would be Mahaffy in second and Ford to finish the podium placings.

Championship points now have Edwards leading with 244 ahead of Mahaffy with 239, setting up a thrilling conclusion between the two for the final round at Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit.

YMF R3 Cup final battle was between Ford, Edwards and Mahaffy. Ford just managing to break away his run thought Turn 9 and Kawasaki corner sealing the deal.

Tommy Edwards: “Its been a phenomenal weekend! I’ve also won every race for my class. Big thanks to my family and mechanics Frank and Joe. Hopefully I can maintain my lead heading into Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit. It could be anyone’s game.

Jack Mahaffy: “It was very tight in the end, I just had to keep my cool and use the slipstream down the straight. There was one point where I thought I might be able to run away with the win when I had over a second gap but it wasn’t to be.”

Edwards, Ford, Mahaffy, YMF R3 Cup Podium

Hunter Ford: “It was disappointing not to win that race, as I was leading on the final lap. Unfortunately I got out dragged and missed out on the win. The margins between the top three were so close and that’s how racing goes.”

YMF R3 Cup Race Three Results