Yamaha 1-2 after a slippery day one at Phillip Island ASBK

ASBK 2023
Round Six – Phillip Island
Friday Round Up

The talk of the day right thoughout Friday was grip, and the distinct lack of it.

One would have expected with all the rubber put down last weekend by the MotoGP boys that the track would be in good shape, but then we did have those strong winds and some rain. That, along with the detritus from plenty of shredded MotoGP Michelins, led circuit management to clean the track twice this week. This has resulted in a distinct lack of traction for the Superbikes. Even the smooth operator that is Mike Jones had the YZF-R1M tying itself up in knots trying to get out of turn 12.

For the likes of Josh Waters, today was spent further adapting how to ride the bike while dealing with restricted movement in his wrist, along with other lingering ailments sustained in a practice crash at the Suzuka 8 Hour.

As is so often the case in low grip conditions, it was the Yamaha men on top at the end of proceedings today. Cru Halliday leading the way on 1m32.651 ahead of team-mate Jones on 1m32.836.

Cru Halliday

“Today was strange.  You come to a track where you have a lot of data, and you think you will go back to it but…. It’s very, very green out there and not much grip. All riders are suffering from this and it changes the whole dynamic of the approach for the weekend to totally change the setup of your bike and try and get more grip. It’s frustrating but I can’t be too down: I am at the top of the time-sheets. I actually surprised myself. I had a big one here at the Hayshed (turn eight) three weeks ago and I haven’t had a chance to ride the bike since then and it plays through your mind, so I am still a little bit tentative going through that corner. The team is working well. The bike is working good in the conditions. I’ve just got to keep chipping away. Everyone is going to get faster. Don’t get too cocky and take every session as it comes.”

Josh Waters an impressive third considering what he is dealing with.

Young Max Stauffer was a fraction behind Waters, and two-tenths ahead of fifth placed Troy Herfoss.

As the track rubbers in further tomorrow we expect that times will tumble much further. However, if the surface does not end up conducive to grip, then it could make for some very interesting 12 lap races come Sunday. We will report back after qualifying tomorrow.

Superbike Friday Combined Times

Supersport

Despite missing a fair whack of the second Supersport session due to a few problems, and debuting a brand new bike that he had never ridden before, Tom Toparis topped proceedings today in Supersport ahead of Olly Simpson and Cam Dunker.

Tom Toparis

“It’s been like the first test day of a season for me. I’m not only on the R6 but the R1 as well so there’s been plenty of track time and chipping away on set-up. I’m really happy with how it’s all gone considering it’s been such a whirlwind, and I’m particularly excited about the R6 project as we’re looking at the possibility of competing in next year’s World Supersport round at Phillip Island on it. We’ll just keep working away, and I’m still recalibrating myself to the high-speed nature of the circuit after being away from it for so long.”

Championship leader Olly Simpson had a tumble late in the final session. Title challenger Cam Dunker fell at turn two early on, not what you want when recovering from a broken ankle. Glenn Nelson and Hayden Nelson were also fallers in the afternoon session.

Tom Bramich is missing this round after suffering some injuries in a dirtbike crash.

Supersport Friday Combined Times

Supersport 300

Dunlop have brought a new tyre for Supersport 300 this weekend that Harrison Watts was running today.  The new rubber is vastly different from what has been available from Dunlop for the category before, as these images clearly show.

The new tyre is made in Japan and has a much more aggressive turn-in profile than its predecessor, with more rubber available on the shoulders as a result.

Supersport 300 Friday Combined Times

YMF R3 Cup

Cam Swain also dominated the Yamaha Motor Finance R3 Cup sessions today, finishing more than half-a-second ahead of seasoned category veteran Brandon Demmery.

YMF R3 Cup Friday Combined Times

Oceania Junior Cup

Riley Nauta was the star of today’s show as the bLU CRU Oceania Junior Cup returns to Phillip Island after being a support class at last weekend’s MotoGP round.

Nauta came out swinging, and was over a second faster than Archie Schmidt as he dipped below the existing lap record. Elijah Andrew was next, followed by Isaac Ayad and title leader Bodie Paige. Whatever happens in qualifying, the races will all go down to the wire…

Oceania Junior Cup Friday Combined Times

Sureflight Superbike Masters

The return of the crowd-pleasing Sureflight Superbike Masters class saw Scott Campbell lead all-comers on his Honda RC30, ahead of Keo Watson (Yamaha FZR1000), Murray Clark (Suzuki GSX-R1100) and Corey Turner (Suzuki GSX-R750).

Sureflight Superbike Masters Friday Combined Times

Superbike Championship Points

Phillip Island ASBK Schedule

ASBK 2023 Calendar