Josh Waters and Onyabike KW Civil McMartin Racing with K-Tech take fourth round win in a row.

Josh Waters and the Onyabike KW Civil McMartin Racing with K-Tech Team have, for the fourth round in a row, risen to the challenge to take the round win, this time at Morgan Park Raceway during round four of the ASBK Championship held over the weekend of 13-15 June.

Just like Queensland Raceway at the previous round, Morgan Park has been a bogey track for the team in previous years and has always been a happy hunting ground for championship rivals.

In very chilly conditions, Fridays practice sessions were an early signal that this weekend could prove to be a turning point in the championship. The first of three practice sessions signalled the start of the weekend on Friday, with another session on Saturday morning before the two-stage qualifying on Saturday afternoon.

For the Josh and the Onyabike KW Civil McMartin Racing with K-Tech team made great use of the four practice sessions to record the second fastest time.

Waters and the Onyabike KW Civil McMartin Racing with K-Tech team played their cards perfectly in the qualifying session timing their runs to perfection, Josh did the rest and recorded the fastest time of the weekend to secure pole position for Sundays two sixteen lap races.

Starting from pole position Josh got a brilliant launch off the line in race one to lead the field into the first corner, championship rival and Morgan Park specialist Mike Jones right on his tail. Josh and the Onyabike KW Civil McMartin Racing with K-Tech Ducati V4R were unable to break away in the early laps and Jones was shadowing Josh’s every move until a technical issue forced Jones to retire on lap four leaving Josh and the Onyabike KW Civil McMartin Racing with K-Tech Ducati V4R with a comfortable lead over a three-bike battle for second. That gap was out to 4.7 seconds by lap twelve with Josh then cruising to victory, the eventual margin 2.7 seconds.

Race two saw Josh get another great start and lead the field again in the early stages with Ant West, Mike Jones and Jack Favelle on his tail. Jones moved into second place on lap three and at that stage was .8 behind Josh in the lead. Over the next few laps Jones was able to reduce that lead, so that by lap nine he was right on the tail of the Onyabike KW Civil McMartin Racing with K-Tech Ducati V4R. Jones made his move at turn four on lap twelve and then put in a fast lap to open a small buffer. Josh played the last few laps smartly to maintain a comfortable buffer over third to bring the bike home to take second place. That result ensured the round win and an increased championship lead.

This fourth round win of the year was also Josh’s 50th in his ASBK career and sees the championship lead now increase to fifty-three points. The Onyabike KW Civil McMartin Racing with K-Tech team now look forward to the next round, once again at Queensland Raceway, in conjunction with the Supercars Championship in August.

“This circuit, in my history of racing there, has been really difficult” commented round winner and championship leader, Josh Waters. “So, to be able to actually do what we did was a really good achievement, to secure pole position and then finish 1-2 in today's races to seal the overall round win and to extend the championship lead is an awesome weekend. My team did everything they could to give me the best bike to do this, so like I always say, I must give a huge thank you to them. Also, a huge thank you to our team's sponsors and supporters”.

“Really happy with the weekend” said Team Owner Craig McMartin. “Considering we only got half a day testing before this round, that just goes to show how well Josh, and the team are working together. To be able to leave here with an extended lead in the championship is extremely satisfying and we couldn't do it without the continued support of all our sponsors including Onyabikeadvantures, KW Civil, K-Tech, Ducati and Pirelli tyres”.