Image: Foremost Media.

Yamaha Racing Team’s Cru Halliday is ‘full of confidence at the moment’ and he carried his strong form from Sydney Motorsport Park (SMSP) to top the opening free practice session at Queensland Raceway.

Halliday’s best effort this morning of a 1m07.952s was three-tenths from teammate Mike Jones’ ASBK qualifying record at the circuit, and 0.256s clear of Penrite Honda Racing’s Troy Herfoss in P2.

The number 65 also shot out of the gate strong at the previous round in Sydney and carried a commanding pace throughout the event to qualify on pole and finish second overall. He is currently fourth in the standings, 47 points down on Josh Waters (McMartin Racing Ducati) despite a racing incident ruling him out of the opening race of the season at Phillip Island.

“I’m just full of confidence at the moment,” Halliday said to CycleOnline.com.au. “I’m enjoying racing. I had a bit of a slump there last year and said to myself don’t ever put yourself in that position again. I come to the race track now, happy to be here and enjoying racing.

“A couple of years ago I think I took that little bit for granted, but now I realise what I’ve got, I’ve got a whole new team around me. Everything is just clicking for me. You do see riders go through rough patches here and there, it is an emotional game but I think everything is still working for me at the moment.

“I’m still a bit annoyed about the Phillip Island incident, could have been a bit better up there in points but I can’t let that dwell on the year. Everything is just working, bike is feeling good, team is working good together and I’m just going out there every session, just putting it in, putting in the work.”

Free practice two for the Superbike category is set to take place at 1:25pm as round three of the 2023 Mi-Bike Australian Superbike Championship continues at Queensland Raceway.