Just one of the top four riders in the QBE Supersport points standings advanced to the Motul Superpole session this afternoon at this weekend’s third round of the Australian Superbike Championship.
Triumph rider Mitchell Carr is looking to make up ground in the closely-contested championship this weekend and did himself no harm by scoring his first-ever Supersport pole position.
“I’m stoked with this result, the Triumph is performing so well and it is all just gelling for us this weekend,” said Carr.
“It’s great to get my first Supersport pole in the books and hopefully we can convert it to a win tomorrow.”
Yamaha Racing Team veteran Kevin Curtain was second-fastest, with Suzuki young gun Nick Waters third and Curtain’s teammate, Rick Olson, in fourth.
Opening round winner Aaron Gobert was fifth aboard his Gobert Motorsports Yamaha, while Team Suzuki’s Brodie Waters is sixth.
No less than 11 riders ventured into the 1-minute, 11-second bracket during qualifying, setting up for a thrilling final day of competition tomorrow.
Championship leader Christian Casella’s luckless run on his new Triumph continued, with the Ballarat-based missing Motul Superpole with ninth-fastest.
QBE Australian Supersport contenders will be on track at 10:45am and 1:35pm.
2011 Viking Group Australian Superbike Championship
Round Three – Supersport Qualifying Results
1. Mitchell CARR (NSW) / Carr Bros M-sport / Triumph / Peter Stevens M-cycles, Triumph Daytona, 1:11.272
2. Kevin CURTAIN (NSW) / Yamaha Racing Team, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:11.342
3. Nicholas WATERS (VIC) / Arai Helmets, Suzuki GSXR, 1:11.540
4. Rick OLSON (NSW) / Yamaha Racing Team, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:11.966
5. Aaron GOBERT (NSW) / Yamaha / Graves / Hot Bodies, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:11.239
6. Brodie WATERS (VIC) / Team Suzuki, Suzuki GSXR, 1:11.295
7. Chris QUINN (NSW) / Coopers Pale Ale / The Channon Store, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:11.560
8. Dylan MAVIN (QLD) / Champion’s Ride Days / Honda / Palfinger Cranes, Honda CBR RR, 1:11.598
9. Christan CASELLA (VIC) / Aark Electrics / Triumph Aust. / Alpinestars / AGV, Triumph Daytona, 1:11.779
10. Glenn SCOTT (NSW) / WNR Kawasaki / Insure My Ride / Stahlwille Tools, Kawasaki ZX6R, 1:11.781