Mike Jones stays on top as Friday’s action wraps up in Darwin

ASBK 2022 – Round 4
Hidden Valley – FP3

Mike Jones (YRT) has set the pace in FP2 with a series of 65 laps that Wayne Maxwell (Boost Mobile Ducati) or Bryan Staring (DesmoSport Ducati) could not match. Both Ducati riders are also 65 years old, but not running four consecutive laps like Jones, and also only a few tenths of his fastest 65,506.

Temperature tracker for that FP2 session was around 45 degrees but degrees Celsius had risen to 53 degrees by the time the racers rolled out of the piston lane for the FP3. The track also now has a lot of rubber from the V8 Supercars, which is often more of a hindrance than a help, especially given all the crumbs and rubber balls spilled by the heavy vehicles.

Anthony West fell early in the session and got a fair amount of somersaults but managed to ride the MotoGO Yamaha back into the pit. Josh Waters also went down right behind West, and so did local racer Luke MacDonald. That V8 rubber obviously doesn’t help…

Bryan Staring was the first to turn 65 in the final session of the day but his number 65,935 was stunned by Wayne Maxwell shortly after when he placed in 65,865.

Mike Jones rested his head on the second exit and was testing his grip limit, the Yamaha having a big slip out of the tight rear handlebars that sent him off the throttle completely. He got right back into business on the next lap though to join the Ducati duo in the 65s, splitting the two of them with 65,919 on his 11th lap. Jones then backed that up with 65,827, followed by 65,612, then 65,819 before heading back to the pit.

Glenn Allerton then clicked another gear, dropping into the 65s for the first time today with 65,812 on the Maxima Oils BMW M 1000 RR with 15 minutes remaining in the session before heading back to the bunker.

Bryan Staring was back on track to score 65,849, followed by 65,968.

Wayne Maxwell then also joined the circuit and was immediately improved to 65,699 then backing that up with 65,591 to top the display of time. The next lap was 65,605 to make for a very impressive three lap lap.

Cru Halliday also later joined the club’s 65, 65,866 in his round of 16 in the session but that was only good enough to place fifth fastest in this company.

Mike Jones then got back on track and placed 65,975 before negotiating some traffic and flying for a few laps before dropping in a low 66s sequence.

Wayne Maxwell came out of the pit with seconds left but couldn’t manage to get a chance to make the final throw. That means despite topping the FP3 session, Wayne didn’t finish the day fastest, Mike’s 65,506 words. FP2 Friday benchmark.

On today’s form, the top three are obviously; Jones, Maxwell and Staring all registered a lot of 65 seconds of the day and were able to do them in a row.

Allerton hit a 65, so did Halliday. Both will have to look for more pace if they threaten to take a podium tomorrow.

A lot of riders down the order have made insignificant improvements. Herfoss moved closer forward, so did Lachlan Epis and Daniel Falzon progress in each session.

Sissis is faster in both FP1 and FP2 than he manages in FP3, a knee slider can upset him a bit and upset his progress.

It appeared to be a losing session for Josh Waters after his early slump.

Qualifiers will be held early Saturday morning before the opening 16 round competition kicks off on Saturday afternoon.

In the event that we include the speed trap times as registered through the timing beams at the lap, we assure you that the real speed is much higher, with a terminal velocity of 300 km/ h was hit by a bicycle.

FP3 results

Friday Combined Time

ASBK Darwin On-Track Schedule
Add half an hour to the East Sea AEST

Saturday
Eligibility 1: 9:10 am (20 minutes)
Qualifying 2: 9:35 am (15 minutes)
Race 1:1:10pm (16 laps)

Sunday
Race 2: 10:00am (16 laps)
Race 3: 1:55pm (16 laps)

Hidden Valley TV ASBK Fixtures

In 2022, Fox Sports Australia will broadcast nearly every session on track plus all races.

As has happened in previous years, Channel 7 will broadcast races one and three live alongside regular Supercars TV programming.

Following the event, ASBK TV will work with TV production partner AVE to create a special replay edition of ASBK Round 4 – Darwin. This special edition will air on SBS – Sunday, July 3, 1300 – 1500 AEST.

ASBK . live broadcast information

Fox Sports Australia
Friday – Free Practice 2 and Free Practice 3
Saturday – Qualifier 1 & Qualifier 2, plus Circuit 1
Sunday – Race 2 (Fox Exclusive Live) & Race 3

Channel 7
Saturday – Race 1
Sunday – Race 3

SBS
Sunday, July 3, 1pm – ASBK Darwin Show

Check the Event Schedule and your local guide for exact times

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Alpinestars Super Motorcycle Championship Scoreboard

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ASBK Calendar 2022