Image: Alex Gobert (Foremost Media).

Yamaha Racing Team (YRT) has signed Cru Halliday to lead its 2018 Australian Supersport Championship effort aboard the latest YZF-R6.

Halliday, 29, finished sixth in last year’s Australian Superbike Championship (ASBK) as a privateer, however will rejoin YRT in one of the surprise moves of the silly season.

“Its all a bit of a last-minute deal, but I was excited to get the phone call from John Redding and proud to represent Yamaha, YRT and the new R6 in the Supersport category,” Halliday commented.

“I have been assessing my options for this year and things weren’t looking good as sponsorship is hard to find and things are tight in racing, so to get a team-supported ride is a wish come true and I will grab it with both hands and do my best.

“I have worked with the YRT guys before and have a great relationship with everyone on the team, so it will be a pretty simply process of just turning up and getting on with the job. I’m confident YRT will be able to build me the best bike in the class.

“There will be a few guys that I worked with in 2017 that will be with me, so it will be a great atmosphere in the garage. I have maintained my fitness and I’m still as determined as ever to go racing and win, so now I’m counting down the days until I get back on the bike and go racing. I can’t wait!”

While YRT’s premier class program will be led by 2013 champion Wayne Maxwell and multiple Supersport champion Daniel Falzon, the addition of Halliday – who was part of YRT between 2012 and 2016 – is an added positive for team manager John Redding.

“YRT are excited to be back in the Supersport class and back racing the Yamaha R6 again,” Redding said. “It has come together quite late, but I’m comfortable we will have everything in place for the opening round of the ASBK championship at Phillip Island and confident Cru will find his feet quickly on the Yamaha R6.

“Yamaha has a very good record in the Supersport category and its important we continue with that as it’s a significant model in the Yamaha sales line-up. The R6 received some major updates for 2018, but we have a handle on things and the bike will be ready to go for round one and will only continue to get better.

“Cru is also very motivated at the moment and this opportunity has reignited him after a tough season in 2017 as a privateer. He has a great group of people in his corner that will come across and assist him, plus the knowledge and expertise of YRT to rely on during the week so despite the late call to arms, we are prepared and ready for the challenge.”

Halliday last rode an R6 in the 2013 Australian FX600 Championship, finishing second in the standings behind then factory Yamaha teammate Rick Olson with multiple round wins to his credit.