2024

Jones sets Queensland Raceway alight in ASBK Superbike qualifying

By MA Media 0

Yamaha’s Mike Jones has laid down the gauntlet with a stunning pole position in round three of the 2024 mi-bike Motorcycle Insurance Australian Superbike Championship presented by Motul (ASBK) at Queensland Raceway.

The three-time Alpinestars Superbike champion – still trying to fight off a pesky virus – was in rare form, not only slotting himself at the sharp end of the 20-rider grid for tomorrow’s two 16-lap races, but also banking a new best lap around the 3.216km circuit.

Max Stauffer (Yamaha) and Glenn Allerton (BMW) will join him on the front row, with a bunch of powerhouse contenders lurking behind, including Ducati pair Troy Herfoss and Josh Waters as well as Cru Halliday (Yamaha).

There was also plenty of excitement across the other classes today, with Tom Toparis (Yamaha) on top in Michelin Supersport qualifying and Josh Newman (Kawasaki) and Hunter Corney (Yamaha) winning the opening races in the Race and Road Supersport 300 and the bLU cRU Oceania Junior Cup categories.

Tomorrow it’s all racing: a jam-packed schedule, which will also include Aussie Racing Cars.

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The top three in Alpinestars Superbike qualifying: (L to R) Stauffer, Jones and Allerton

Alpinestars Superbike
Jones was second on the grid in 2023 and finished in the same position across both races behind Herfoss.

He’s on pole position in 2024: is it a positive omen of things to come tomorrow?

That will play itself out, but the 30-year-old certainly reinforced why he’s been a perennial contender around Queensland Raceway in the past.

As well as his pole-sitting time of 1:07.155, the other key takeout from practice and qualifying was Jones’ metronomic consistency, which will keep his opposition second guessing in the two feature races.

“It’s been a while since we’ve had some success, so I’m really happy with the pole position,” said Jones.

“It’s a track I know well, and once I managed to get in the zone I was able to find some extra time.

“Thanks to my team for putting together a fantastic package, and I’m excited for the races.”

Stauffer (Penrite Racing, 1:07.535) and Glenn Allerton (GT Racing, 1:07.651) – the emerging star and the wily veteran – were unable to make a late hustle for pole after a brief rain shower came across the circuit. However, they’ve still put themselves right in the mix tomorrow.

Row two is a Ducati lockout with Troy Herfoss (DesmoSport), Josh Waters (McMartin Racing) and Broc Pearson (DesmoSport), while Yamaha completed the same monopoly on row three: Cru Halliday (Yamaha Racing Team), Arthur Sissis (Stop & Seal) and Friday pacesetter Bryan Staring (MotoGo).

The two races will be held at 11:00am and 2:55pm respectively.

Can Mike Jones return to the Superbike winner’s list tomorrow?

Michelin Supersport
Toparis (Stop & Seal) has a bonus Michelin Supersport championship point in the bank after securing pole position at Queensland Raceway.

Qualifying was held over two 25-minute sessions, but a light shower before the second meant that it became more about a final shakedown rather than all-out attack.

As a result, Toparis’ 1:10.381 in Q1 was more than enough for pole, ahead of Stop & Seal Yamaha teammate Archie McDonald, Jake Farnsworth (Wurth Race Developments Yamaha), Tom Bramich (Apex Group Yamaha), Jack Mahaffy (Stop & Seal Yamaha) and Olly Simpson (YRD Yamaha Australia).

“Another pole position, and I’ve over the moon. I was very happy with this morning’s time – it was a circuit PB for me – and the afternoon it was really just a matter of riding around and getting ready for tomorrow,” said Toparis.

“Again, a massive thanks to the Stop & Seal team – it’s getting quite busy in our garage with all the riders, but it’s certainly an interesting place to be.”

Tom Toparis has continued to lead from the front in Michelin Supersport

Race and Road Supersport 300
Josh Newman (Wet4U Race Fairings Kawasaki) produced a stirring final lap to win the opening Race and Road Supersport 300 battle at Queensland Raceway.

The New South Welshman made up four spots at the business end to win the frantic four-lapper from closest championship rival Harrison Watts (Champion’s Ride Days Kawasaki), polesitter Valentino Knezovic (Motocity Yamaha), Casey Middleton (RaceDNA Yamaha), Ryan Larkin (Green Planet Nutrients Yamaha), Calvin Moylan (Race DNA Kawasaki) and Tara Morrison (B&L Mechanical Air Services Kawasaki).

Will Nassif (Complete AV Yamaha) was sixth across the finish line, but a 10-second penalty for jumping the start saw him classified in 14th.

The first attempt at the race was red-flagged on lap four after Haych Short (Plexus PT Yamaha) and New Zealander Jesse Stroud (Connect Homes Yamaha) collided on the final turn. The duo didn’t make the restart.

Newman now leads the championship by 5pts (131 to 126) over Watts, followed by Knezovic (116).

Josh Newman leads the Race and Road Supersport 300 pack on the final lap

bLU cRU Oceania Junior Cup
Hunter Corney claimed maximum advantage of pole position in the bLU cRU Oceania Junior Cup, scoring a runaway three-second win – a margin that’s extremely rare in the category where victories are normally mentioned in microseconds.

Not today, though, as Corney waltzed to success in the six-lapper from Ethan Johnson, Connor Lewis, Hunter Charlett, Rossi McAdam and Elijah Andrew.

Nikolas Lazos was third across the line, but was then bumped back to seventh after a jump start. A fastest lap of the race for Lazos was some consolation.