As the first race of the day, spectators lined the fences to get a glimpse of the incredible amount of overtaking throughout the field. Despite great racing amongst the field, it was a cool and calculated victory from Hunter Ford (South Sydney Commercial, Yamaha YZF-R3), who also took pole position earlier in the afternoon for the Yamaha Motor Finance Australian Superbike Championship presented by Motul Pirelli (ASBK)

The race featured a great battle between Ford and Zac Levy (Puma RV’s, Yamaha YZF-R3), as they built a substantial gap that is rarely seen in this class. The pair wasted no time and managed to break away in quick succession. Locky Taylor (LTRacing, YZF-R3) was fighting amongst the front but had an unfortunate crash. 

Behind them was an excellent skirmish between Oli Bayliss (Cube Racing, Kawasaki Ninja), Harry Khouri (Acid Racing Aust., Yamaha YZF-R3), Tayla Relph (North Star Yamaha, Yamaha YZF-R3), Callum O’Brien (Banhams Victoria, Yamaha YZF-R3) and Tom Bramich (SJG Plumbing, Yamaha YZF-R3). The gap between these riders being less than a second.

 Ford managed to control the race from start to finish and take an outstanding measured victory and a new race lap record. Joining Ford on the podium was Levy and Khouri. Coming in fourth was Bayliss, followed by Relph (5th), O’Brien (6th) and Bramich in (7th).

Ford stating after his great win; “It was great and I even managed to run my own race. We managed to get the hole shot and went for it. After Locky Taylor went down we managed to take the victory. There was plenty of distance between myself and Zac (Levy). Hopefully we can pull of a similar performance in tomorrow’s races.” 

Races One and Two take place at 8:50am and 13:10pm, local time tomorrow.

 Australian Supersport 300 Race One Provisional Results

1. Hunter FORD (South Sydney Commercial, Yamaha YZF-R3)

2. Zac LEVY (Puma RV’s, Yamaha YZF-R3)

3. Harry KHOURI (Acid Racing Aust., Yamaha YZF-R3)

4. Oliver BAYLISS (Cube Racing, Kawasaki Ninja)                

5. Tayla RELPH (North Star Yamaha, Yamaha YZF-R3)

6. Callum O BRIEN (Banhams Victoria, Yamaha YZF-R3)

7. Tom BRAMICH (SJG Plumbing, Yamaha YZF-R3)

8. John LYTRAS (Yamaha YZF-R3)

9. Ben BRAMICH (GowMoto, KTM RC390)

10. Max STAUFFER (Chris Watson, Yamaha YZF-R3) 

Photos Andrew Gosling 

    

Ford