Image: Foremost Media.

Experienced ASBK contender Cru Halliday will complete the 2025 season-remainder onboard a Stop and Seal-backed McMartin Racing Ducati V4 R in a unique merger between the teams.

Halliday, 37, has been synonymous with Yamaha following largely more than a decade as part of the official Yamaha Racing Team, but departed for a lucrative opportunity that attracted him to Stop and Seal for this year.

Despite remaining onboard a YZF-R1M – equipped with Motec electronics rather than YRT’s customary YEC kit – it was a late decision of the Robbie Bolger-led, Queensland-based organisation to switch from Pirelli to Michelin tyres that has largely impacted Halliday’s performance on a consistent basis.

Following a disastrous round at Queensland Raceway’s two-plus-four that saw former national number two Halliday plagued by electronic issues, colourful paddock heavyweight Bolger has been plotting a high-profile transfer from Yamaha to Ducati in association with Craig McMartin’s defending Superbike champion team. Halliday’s full-spec, customer V4 R is also on Pirelli tyres.

McMartin has solely been focusing on Josh Waters’ bid for a fifth crown this year, however, the team also fielded European Moto2 prospect Harrison Voight at round five in a one-off entry. While receiving indirect support as part of the Halliday addition, it isn’t expected that there will be any major changes in the Waters garage.

Halliday debuted at Sydney Motorsport Park on Sunday in a low-key, state-level shakedown, rapidly getting on-pace and ultimately setting a best lap of 1m29.971s within less than 20 laps on the ASBK-winning Panigale – considered to be the most capable bike in the field at the hands of Waters.

Currently positioned 11th in the 2025 standings, Halliday has a single podium to his credit with a season-high result of third coming at round two. He will continue testing in Sydney on Monday, before completing further laps at One Raceway later this week and then debuting his Ducati in the Mi-Bike Australian Superbike Championship (ASBK) at Phillip Island next month.

It’s unclear if Stop and Seal will continue to field its R1s in the premier class, with Arthur Sissis, Tom Toparis, Beau Beaton and Michael Edwards – in addition to Halliday – all making starts with the team on varying occasions over the opening five rounds. Toparis recently moved to Next Gen Supersport, riding Ducati Panigale V2 machinery.

Stop and Seal riders also continue to dominate the Supersport championship with three rounds to run, as Jack Mahaffy and Archie McDonald currently sit 1-2 in the standings aboard Yamaha YZF-R6s fitted with Michelin tyres.