Josh Waters (McMartin Racing) has claimed his fourth Superbike Championship aboard the McMartin Racing Ducati V4R at The Bend Motorsport Park, becoming the first rider to win the title four times in the category, while also securing the round win at Tailem Bend, South Australia. Press: Link Int
On Friday, competitors were met with damp conditions. By the time the Superbikes took to the track for their first free practice, the winds had already dried out the track. Josh Waters was the standout for most of the day’s three practice sessions; however, Mike Jones (Yamaha Racing Team) made his presence felt, securing the top spot in the closing moments.
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Qualifying kicked off on Saturday, with Jones claiming the all-important one-point pole position after setting a lap time of 1:50.487s. Waters took second place with a time of 1:50.691s, while Troy Herfoss (DesmoSport Ducati) completed the front row with a lap time of 1:50.846s. Jones was now 25 points behind Josh Waters in the championship standings and with three races scheduled for the weekend, it was set to come down to the final race. Pirelli riders opting to run either the SC1 or SC2 front tyre, paired with the SCX or SC0 rear, to set their qualifying times.
In SuperSport qualifying, it was Olly Simpson (YRD) who secured pole with a time of 1:54.609s, ahead of Archie McDonald (Stop & Seal) with 1:54.683s and Jonathan Nahlous (Complete AV) with 1:55.482s. The Pirelli riders chose to run a mixture of the SC1 or SC2 front tyre, paired with the A1128 or SCX rear.
Cameron Swain (Yamaha) secured pole position for the SuperSport 300 races ahead of the weekend. Riders opted for the Pirelli SC1 tyre for the front and rear.
Race one got underway in the afternoon, and Jones made a strong start, only for Josh Waters to lead into turn one, and Arthur Sissis (Stop & Seal) in third. Waters began to pull a couple of bike lengths ahead of Jones, but it didn’t take long for Jones to close in on Waters’ tail. By lap three, Herfoss had moved into third ahead of Sissis. At one point, Herfoss set the fastest lap of the race, but then crashed out, ending his day prematurely. Meanwhile, with all the action unfolding, Waters and Jones were locked in a fierce battle, with Jones looking set to make a move on Waters. On the final lap, at the second last turn, Jones up the inside of Waters to take the lead and secure the race one win. All Pirelli riders chose to use either the SC1 or SC2 front tyre, paired with either the SCX or SC0 rear.
Once again Josh Waters got a great start with the hole shot for race two. Herfoss in to second and Jones in third. Jones was hot on Herfoss’ tail looking to make the pass early on. Unfortunately, Tom Toparis (Stop & Seal) came off his bike triggering a red flag due to fluids possibly being on the track. Once racing was ready to resume it was announced that the race would be reduced to seven laps, a sprint style like race. On the restart it was Waters who got another magnificent start and lead the pack into turn one. Sissis in second and Herfoss in third, with Jones battling him for that position.
Jones made it clear he wasn’t interested in sitting behind Herfoss and started making inside passing attempts but couldn’t quite make any of them stick. Herfoss was able to get past Sissis to slide in to second. Jones then made a move on Sissis and went ahead in to third. It was now time for Jones to chase down the two Ducati’s ahead of him. On the final turn of the last lap, Jones was able to get up the inside of Herfoss and cross the finish line in second place while Waters secured the win bringing him closer to that champions trophy. All podium riders selected the Pirelli SC1 or SC2 front tyre and either the SCX or SC0 rear.
It all came down to this: race three. Who would be crowned the first 4x Superbike Champion? Waters appeared set to claim the title, but the race wasn’t over until the final chequered flag flew. The answer would come in just 11 laps. The red lights went out, and we were racing for the final time in 2024. As in the previous two races, Waters made a lightning-fast start and led the pack into the first turn. Jones was right on his tail, with Broc Pearson (DesmoSport Ducati) getting a strong run to move into third. The worst-case scenario played out as Jones went down at turn 13. Waters felt his rear wheel being tapped, looked back over his shoulder, and saw what had just unfolded. The championship was his; regardless of how the race played out, he was going to be crowned the first 4x Superbike Champion.
The two DesmoSport Ducati riders were closing in on Waters’ tail. Pearson had taken the lead, with Herfoss in second and Waters now back in third. There was no doubt Waters was determined to finish the race on the podium. On lap four, Herfoss took the lead from his teammate with an inside pass. He, too, wanted to end his weekend with a race win, as he was currently holding the number one plate. Once out in front, he broke away from the pack and settled into a rhythm. Waters had now passed Pearson, and so had Sissis. Waters and Sissis had started to make up some ground on Herfoss. As they entered turn one for the final time, Waters was right on Herfoss’ tail. Herfoss crossed the line victorious, winning the last race of the season while sporting the number 1 plate for the final time, as it would now be handed over to Waters, who finished second, and Sissis in third. All Pirelli riders chose to use either the SC1 or SC2 front tyre, with either the SCX or SC0 rear.
In the opening race for the Supersport, Simpson on pole led the pack into the first turn, ahead of McDonald and Jack Mahaffy (Stop & Seal). While Simpson led out front, McDonald and Mahaffy were closing in. On lap three, McDonald was in the lead, with Mahaffy moving into second and Simpson back to third. By lap six, Simpson had clawed his way back into second and looked set to stay there. On the final lap, McDonald took the win ahead of Simpson, with Mahaffy in third. The Pirelli riders opting to run either SC1 or SC2 front and A1128 and SCX rear tyres.
In race 2, Simpson led McDonald and Mahaffy, with the top three runners separated by mere inches. Mahaffy and Simpson traded positions several times throughout the race, but each time, Simpson would regain the lead at the next corner. It all came down to the last lap, and the battle between Simpson, McDonald, and Mahaffy continued. Simpson was pushed back to third, and then selected the wrong gear, allowing Tom Bramich (Carl Cox Motorsport) to slip into third. Teammates McDonald and Mahaffy continued to battle up front for the win, and the victory went to McDonald, with Mahaffy in second and Bramich in third. Unfortunately, Simpson had to settle for fourth. Nahlous secured the Championship in race two. The Pirelli riders chosing to run either SC1 or SC2 front and A1128 and SCX rear tyres.
The third and final race of the weekend was underway, and there was no doubt many battles lay ahead. Simpson led McDonald and Mahaffy on lap one. On lap two, there was jostling for positions among the three front runners. Simpson was pushed back to third. The red flags were out after Jack Favelle (Favelle Enterprises) crashed at Turn 12. The race restart was underway, and this time McDonald led Simpson and Mahaffy into turn one. Simpson and McDonald battled it out, allowing Mahaffy to take the lead. Mahaffy put his head down and extended his lead to almost two seconds. While McDonald and Simpson continued to battle for second place, Mahaffy now had a comfortable three-second lead and would go on to take the win. Simpson managed to pass McDonald on the final turn, diving up the inside to claim second. Pirelli riders opting to run SC1 or SC2 front and A1128 or SCX rear in the warmer race conditions.
In the Supersport 300 Cameron Swain won all three races for the weekend along with pole. Josh Newman (Addicted to Track) secured the 2024 Championship in race two. Pirelli riders opting to run the SC1 tyre on the front and rear.
