Recapping a big St. George MCC Summer Series opene...

2025 St. George MCC Summer time Sequence
Spherical One – SMP

With Nick Edards – Photographs by Half Gentle

The sixth season of the St. George MCC Summer time Nights sequence (SNS06 for brief) opened with Spherical One at Sydney Motorsport Park on Saturday, December 6. Daytime temps have been drifting into 40C+ territory, and the specter of thunderstorms within the night wasn’t an awesome outlook, however because it turned out, the occasion dodged any main rainfall, with only a few mild and inconsequential sprinkles early within the night.

Nevertheless, the warmth was unrelenting, and it was nonetheless round 33° at 2230 as racing accomplished. It was a superb night of racing, however was it nice? No, no it was not.

To recap the format of SNS, there’s a quickfire 10-minute qualifying and three “nine-minute plus one lap” races per class, time allowing. 9 minutes plus one lap often interprets right into a seven-lap dash race.

For this spherical, there have been 5 lessons of racing.  Pirelli Superbikes and AGV 600 teams are break up into F1 for Worldwide and Nationwide (ASBK) riders, and F2 for clubbies. F1 and F2 lessons share the observe for all periods, together with qualifying and racing. So, for instance, Pirelli Superbikes F1 and F2 are all the time on observe collectively.

The fifth class is F3 Superbikes for membership racers not anticipated to lap faster than 1:40 firstly of the season. For comparability, the highest riders within the Pirelli Superbikes F1 class will lap across the 1:30 mark, so the pace differential is critical.

Retro Superbikes would have been a separate class, sharing observe time with F3 Superbikes, however lack of entries meant the 2 have been mixed, and the pair of Retro Superbike entrants ran within the F3 Superbike class.

As all the time, time is an element. There’s a tough cut-off for racing at 22:30. Any races that may’t full earlier than that mark must be scrubbed, and the tempo of the occasion, with minimal breaks between any session, implies that any delays can power late races to be cancelled.

Because it turned out SNS06 Spherical One, regardless of some quick delays, hit its marks. Race One of many AGV 600s needed to be deserted early within the night after two purple flags, as an additional restart would’ve compromised the schedule, however general issues ran effectively. Not an ideal final result, however everybody goes into SNS occasions understanding that point isn’t pleasant in direction of delays.

Headlining Pirelli Superbikes F1 was Josh Brookes – all the time a welcome competitor filling in time between BSB seasons; Senna Agius – popping out of a stellar Moto2 season and making a visitor look on the Desmosport Ducati V4R; Glenn Allerton and his protégé and nephew – rising expertise Joshua Newman on the Superbike Advocates Ducatis.

Plus JJ Nahlous, who’s all the time fast and trying to construct on a really spectacular first season in ASBK, in addition to Marcus Hamod, often related to the smaller lessons, stepping up into Superbikes and anticipated to be someplace within the combine because the night progressed.

Limitless F1 & F2 Race One

Senna Agius took pole with a 1:29.443, the one rider beneath 1:30 and almost a second faster than Nahlous, who grabbed second on the grid, edging out Brookes and Allerton, Hamod and Newman finishing the second row.

Agius began from the pit lane in Race One, and Brookes was somewhat sluggish off the road, which gifted Nahlous an early lead and put Agius someplace round ninth place heading into Flip Two on the opening lap.

Agius made good progress via the sector however couldn’t make up the bottom on Brookes and Allerton, who have been looking down Nahlous, who had, at one level, pulled out a 1.6-second lead.

Brookes fought arduous and was in a position to shut the hole after which make the strikes on Nahlous to take the win by six-hundredths of a second.

Allerton was third, barely half a second again, Agius 5 seconds additional again in fourth.

Main residence the F2 class was Dominic de Leon, adopted by Damien Adams and Cameron Prentice.

Limitless F1 & F2 Race One Outcomes

Limitless F1 & F2 Race Two

The progressive grid format means the Race One outcome determines the Race Two grid, which put Brookes on pole with Nahlous, Allerton, Agius, Hamod and Newman filling out the primary two rows on the grid.

Agius actually stamped his authority on Races Two and Three, profitable each.

Nahlous took an early lead in Race Two, which Brookes reeled in, however ranging from fourth, Agius labored his approach via with some sturdy overtakes and led Brookes over the road by a slender one-tenth of a second.

Nahlous was inside half a second of Agius on the end, with Allerton having dropped again somewhat from the three riders in entrance of him.

As soon as once more, it was Dominic de Leon main residence the Limitless F2 racers, adopted by Damien Adams, with Kayne Gasbarri forward of Prentice.

Limitless F1 & F2 Race Two Outcomes

Limitless F1 & F2 Race Three

That progressive grid format gave Agius pole in Race Three, but it surely was Allerton, coming from fourth on the grid, who initially took the lead across the outdoors into Flip One.

Nahlous then pressured his approach via to the lead earlier than the top of the primary lap.

Agius labored his well beyond Allerton and Nahlous with three minutes and one lap to go and held that result in the end. Nahlous didn’t hand over, and was everywhere in the again of Agius within the closing laps, doing very well to be simply two-tenths of a second behind the Ducati on the flag.

Allerton completed in third, somewhat over a second behind Nahlous. A small off late within the race, while chasing Allerton, robbed Brookes of an opportunity for extra factors.

Race three noticed Damien Adams lead residence the Limitless F2 racers, Gasbarri second and De Leon third.

Limitless F1 & F2 Race Three Outcomes

Limitless F1 & F2 Total & Rider Quotes

On the finish of Spherical One, Senna Agius heads the factors desk on 67 factors, forward of Nahlous (58), Allerton (53) and Newman (47). Brookes’ DNF in Race Three actually harm his level rating and leaves an enormous hole between him and the main trio, as he now sits on 45 factors. However his never-give-up angle will certainly be on show for the remainder of the sequence as he tries to make up that deficit.

In Limitless F2, Dominic De Leon’s title defence obtained off to an awesome begin with wins in Races One and Two on the Kawasaki, however a last-minute glitch together with his steering damper earlier than Race Three necessitated a fast little bit of spannering from his group, removing of the offending merchandise and forcing a begin from pitlane.

This effort netted him a well-earned third place at school and has him heading the factors desk with 68-points into Spherical Two.

Damien Adams had a productive night on the Suzuki with one win and two second locations for 65-points, trailing De Leon by simply three factors. Gasbarri holds third spot on 55, forward of Prentice on 52.

Josh Brookes – Pirelli Limitless F1

“I picked up the flight case from the transport firm Friday lunchtime and acquired it residence to unpack. The bike inside was despatched over by the race group. It’s not my British Superbike bike, it’s a motorcycle they’ve put collectively for British Superstock spec and for Australian Superbikes which kind of mirrors British Superstock. I did have a number of issues to setup and alter on the bike. Modified the tyres, put race brake calipers and pads in and customarily checked over the bike in preparation for the next day.

“The next day offered a number of follow periods the place I tuned the electronics a bit to swimsuit myself; I knew a bit about what I wished from final 12 months, identical with the suspension, simply made a few changes to place it the place it was after I was pleased with the bike final 12 months. This bike very a lot is similar because the bike I constructed final 12 months, however I didn’t have the burden that I had final 12 months [of having to build the bike from scratch].

“I then went into the night with qualifying and three races. In qualifying I did the minimal variety of laps as a result of I wished that tyre to hold over into the primary race, I believe that’s what most individuals on the grid do, use two rears, one for qualifying and Race One after which one other for Race Two and Three. I certified third which I used to be fairly pleased with as I didn’t do many laps.

“Race One, I obtained a poor begin as a result of the bike didn’t begin off the way in which my BSB Superbike would; I hadn’t practiced any begins and it caught me abruptly somewhat. I adopted JJ Nahlous for a number of laps, made a go on him, he handed again after which on the ultimate lap I positioned myself to do a slipstream transfer on the primary straight to take the win.

“Race Two I began with a brand new tyre, I had good grip from the bike and it was performing effectively, I obtained a barely higher begin however Senna Agius handed me on the Ducati, I did try and line up for some passes again but it surely wasn’t profitable so he received that race and I used to be second.

“The ultimate race I obtained somewhat bit higher begin however due to the arduous battle I’d had in Race Two, I’d used up quite a lot of that tyre so carrying that tyre into Race Three, I felt like I’d penalised myself and I actually didn’t really feel as sturdy as within the earlier races and I used to be taking quite a lot of dangers to make up the bottom I’d misplaced within the early laps. I used to be making good progress though I’d misplaced quite a lot of floor to the primary three after which I used to be closing that up slowly. I simply obtained onto the again of Glenn Allerton in third and sadly misplaced the entrance. I had used the identical entrance for the entire night so I believe in future, I’ll swap the entrance tyre in between races One and Two in order that I’ve extra grip up entrance. In any case it was me who was taking the dangers on the brakes to attempt to make up the misplaced time that brought about that crash I imagine. I’m OK, I didn’t maintain any accidents of any sort to report however the bike was fairly tough after I obtained it again and checked out it. Subsequent race is January 9 so I’ve obtained time on my aspect to get it repaired and again in good order and I’m wanting ahead to returning.”

Glenn Allerton – Pirelli Limitless F1

“It was superior to be again on the bike for the final time this 12 months. The warmth was an actual difficulty and actually takes it out of you however then it’s the identical for everybody. Made some main changes to the bike simply to see what variations they made and we had the pace, simply couldn’t fairly land the wins. It was a unbelievable strategy to finish the 12 months surrounded by household and mates and as all the time, St George Nights is a superb occasion to be a part of.

“Shout out to my nephew Josh (Newman) who hadn’t thrown a leg over the Ducati V4 till the day earlier than. To place in 32.7 in such robust situations on such a brand new bike to him was a unbelievable outcome and might’t wait to see the place he takes his racing from right here.”

JJ Nahlous – Pirelli Limitless F1

“It was an awesome night time of racing at Spherical One in every of SNS06 and again on the Yamaha for the primary time shortly after using the Honda for the final two ASBK rounds. We began off wanting on methods to enhance the setup with the bike and every time we went out, the bike was getting higher and higher. It was superior to race with such skilled riders like Senna Agius and Josh Brookes. Being amongst them was superior, and it was nice to see what they may do otherwise. I did many PBs on Saturday night time, which was nice, seeing the development with the bike. Huge because of the St George membership for working such an awesome occasion as soon as once more, I’m excited for the subsequent one!”

Dominic De Leon – Pirelli Limitless F2

“It wasn’t straightforward as I’m so not bike match or slot in any kind of approach so I’m blown away to at present he within the place I’m in. Earlier than Race Three, on the 30 second siren, boys pull off the tyre heaters and I made a decision to again off the steering damper because the steering had been arduous work within the earlier race. As I went to regulate it, I seen that it was wiggling round and free.

“I assumed ‘that’s it, I’m not going out’ however the boys hustled and Matt Tempo was like ‘no, you’re going on the market’ and so they pulled the steering damper off. Now in that final race, the bike was REAL troublesome to trip, I didn’t realise how a lot of a distinction that factor [the steering damper] makes, the bike was head shaking on acceleration and I assumed ‘I’ve actually obtained to trip this factor completely different as a result of I don’t need to crash, I need to bag some factors’. In order that was my Race Three. However we’re not going to have that difficulty once more, we all know what it was and we’ll repair that. So we’re going to get on the market and provides it some extra! I’m going to get healthier each spherical. It was an awesome spherical, I’m buzzing nonetheless!”

Damien Adams – Pirelli Limitless F2

“Spherical 1 of the newest Summer time Evening Sequence was actually probably the most enjoyable nights of racing I’ve had. The situations have been loopy sizzling, but it surely was superior to lastly make my debut within the Superbike class and battle it out all night time with some severely quick riders. Qualifying went effectively and set me up properly which gave me quite a lot of confidence heading into the races.

“Race 1 was a superb one. I used to be working as excessive as seventh outright earlier than a small mistake within the final nook dropped me again a few locations. Race Two was all about staying constant within the warmth and protecting the tempo up. Completed ninth outright, second at school once more which felt strong contemplating the extent of competitors. Race Three was the place all of it got here collectively. Grabbed first place within the F2 class, which felt unreal and was an ideal strategy to end the night time.

“I went into this spherical with the objective of ending inside the highest ten outright and prime 5 in F2, so to tick each of these off, together with setting some huge PB lap occasions which was one thing I’m actually happy with. Huge thanks to everybody who got here out to assist me and everybody who despatched messages. I can’t wait to get again on the market Spherical Two and hopefully put the Suzuki on the rostrum once more!”

Limitless F1 Factors

Limitless F2 Factors

600cc F1 & F2 Race One

Jake Farnsworth took pole, 1.65s away from Will Nassif, with Jai Russo, Joshua Soderland and Alex Tamras rounding out the 5 quickest qualifiers. Tamras was the quickest of the 600 F2 class, forward of Peter Zammit and Scott Newham in sixth and seventh general.

Two purple flags led to the opening race being cancelled.

600cc F1 & F2 Race Two

Farnsworth was on kind for the opening 600 bout, taking the win effectively away from Nassif, with Soderland rounding out the rostrum. The quickest 600 F2 racer was Timothy Rodley in fifth general.

600cc F1 & F2 Race Two Outcomes

600cc F1 & F2 Race Three

Farnsworth was untouchable in race three, ending 30 seconds away from Kristian O’Donnell, who held off Soderland by a hair on the end line for second. Russo got here residence fourth, with Tamras main the 600 F2s with fifth general, adopted by Rodley and Newham in sixth and seventh.

600cc F1 & F2 Race Three Outcomes

600cc F1 & F2 Total

With simply two races run, Farnsworth leaves spherical one on an ideal 50 factors within the 600 F1 class, whereas O’Donnell and Soderland sit on 36 factors apiece, with Russo not far off on 34 factors.

In F2, Tamras and Rodley tied on 45 factors, with a win and second every, whereas Newham rounded out the general podium.

600cc F1 Factors

600cc F2 Factors

Limitless F3 Race One

Eric Smaller topped qualifying, seven-tenths away from Ben Vella.  Paul Parlett certified his Retro Superbike XR69 seventh.

Smaller would go on to win the opening race by nearly three seconds, Ben Vella and Robert Salvia preventing it out for second, with Vella popping out on prime. Parlett introduced his retro Suzuki residence in eleventh, with Farrell thirteenth general.

Limitless F3 Race One Outcomes

Limitless F3 Race Two

Robert Salvia took the Limitless F3 win in race two, with Smaller settling for second, and Reece Gordon taking third. Parlett was the only real retro bike in race two, ending eleventh.

Limitless F3 Race Two Outcomes

Limitless F3 Race Three

Reece Gordon took out the ultimate race of the weekend, Salvia and Vella rounding out the rostrum, with Vella simply holding off Smaller. Each Parlett and Farrell have been on observe for the ultimate race, ending ninth and tenth, respectively.

Limitless F3 Race Three Outcomes

Limitless F3/Retro Total

It was tight within the Limitless F3 class after spherical one, with Robert Salvia taking out the win on 63 factors, a single level forward of Eric Smaller (62), with Reece Gordon third on 60 factors.

Parlett took the Retro Superbike tally of 75 factors, with Farrell leaving on 40 factors, having missed race two.

Retro Superbikes Factors