Image: Russell Colvin.

Swann Insurance Kawasaki’s Matt Walters has identified qualifying as his weakest point in the 2018 Yamaha Motor Finance Australian Superbike Championship (ASBK) as it heads to Winton in Victoria this weekend for the penultimate round of the series.

Walters experienced a breakthrough ride at the previous round hosted by Morgan Park, which saw him wind up equal sixth after lodging a respectable 6-7 scorecard.

Admitting Winton isn’t his most favoured circuit, he’s remaining optimistic that his recent surge in form can turn his fortunes around at the three-kilometre venue.

“Qualifying has been our weakest point this season and an area where we can improve,” Walters commented. “I need to practice my one lap pace and take more risks to see if we can reach a better grid position for Winton. If your starting too far back in a 16-lap race, it makes it difficult to make up ground.

“It’s never been my strongest track throughout the years, but I have been fast there at times. We just have to try to maintain our form from Morgan Park and practice our one lap pace.

“If we can qualify high up enough, we could be in for a good weekend. The track itself is very tight and twisty but has a nice flow to it. It can be very tricky if you’re not in sync with your lines and set-up.”

Walters is ranked ninth in the Australian Superbike Championship with just two rounds remaining in the seven-stop series.