Getting a grip on the ASBK Tyre War

Introduced to the ASBK in 2016, the Yamaha Finance R3 Cup is a one-make series featuring the Yamaha R3 motorcycle.

Since its introduction, the R3 Cup has served multiple purposes; as well as being a breeding ground for stars of the future, it is also a fun and affordable class for those wishing to race in the ASBK Championship.

Modifications are limited and because all the bikes are similar, race results are determined by a rider’s ability.

The evenness of the machinery places a premium on race-craft, corner speed and slipstreaming.

The R3 Cup races are typified by masses of bikes racing fiercely and swapping positions several times each lap and more often than not sees a cavalcade of riders crossing the finish line within millimetres of each other. The Yamaha R3 motorcycles are also eligible for the Supersport 300 Championship and often riders will gain extra track time by entering in both categories.

The final standings in the 2020 R3 Cup served to demonstrate the closeness of the competition, Carter Thompson defeating John Lytras by just a single point in a title contest that came right down to the last lap of the last race.

Archie McDonald and Ben Baker were also among the contenders, finishing within 10 points of Thompson come season’s end.

The 2021 Yamaha Finance R3 Cup is largely populated by young, up-and-coming riders such as former Oceania Junior Cup riders Marianos Nikolis, Tom Drane, Clay Clegg and Lucas Quinn, but there are also some experienced riders in the field, such as Brandon Demmery.

The Yamaha Finance R3 Cup will be back on track at Round 5 of ASBK, Morgan Park Raceway, Queensland, August 20-22.

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The last 2 seasons of the bLU cRU Oceania Junior Cup have provided enthralling action, with young riders eager to prove themselves while also learning about the fundamentals of road racing, including bike control and slipstreaming.

The 2019 season began with Carter Thompson dominating proceedings in the opening round at Wakefield Park, but in the middle stages of the season, Thompson faced severe opposition from Angus Grenfell, who won the Morgan Park round and was on for a clean sweep at Winton before crashing out of the final race.

However, Thompson struck back with a round win at Phillip Island after Grenfell struggled with qualifying pace. The Phillip Island round was notable for the closeness of the competition. In one of the races, the top 12 riders were separated by just 0.4s!

In the season finale at Sydney Motorsport Park, Thompson strung together a trio of consistent finishes to clinch the title by 31 points over Grenfell, who lost some more ground with a DNF in the weekend’s opening race. Tom Drane finished the year third in the standings; the former dirt track rider was generally towards the pointy end and continually improved throughout the standings.

The winner of that last 2019 round at SMP was Marianos Nikolis, in what turned out to be something of a preview for the 2020 season.

While Nikolis settled for second behind Lucas Quinn in the opening round at Phillip Island, he was the class act of the field in Rounds 2 and 3 at Wakefield Park, taking a trio of race wins on the Saturday before chalking up a pair of podiums on the Sunday to clinch the title. Drane scored a win in the last race of the season to seal runner-up honours, while Cameron Dunker was third ahead of Cameron Swain. Lucas Quinn was not able to replicate his form from Phillip Island and slipped to fifth in the final standings

The 2021 OJC has again attracted a capacity field of 20 riders and is guaranteed to provide fans with spectacular racing.

The youngest rider on the grid will be 11-year-old Western Sydney competitor Elijah Andrew, while the oldest will be 15-year-old Victorian Tate McClure. The series also welcomes its first Tasmanian rider, Oliver Skinner.

Riders returning to the series include Swain, along with Nate O’Neill, Varis Fleming, Hayden Nelson and Levi Russo.

The bLU cRU Oceania Junior Cup will be back on track at Round 5 of ASBK, Morgan Park Raceway, Queensland, August 20-22.

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