North Coast V-Twins Ducati rider Beau Beaton claimed his first FX1000 round victory at Eastern Creek’s third round of the Motul-sponsored Australian Formula Xtreme Championship yesterday.

Beaton won the overall on his 1198 S with 2-1-1 results ahead of an ell-European podium that was made up of Jeremy Crowe (Motohansa BMW) and defending series champion Craig McMartin (Ducati), who made his first appearance of the season.

The day started with Beaton and Yamaha Racing Team series leader Kevin Curtain battling for the victory in the opening two legs, before Curtain was ruled out of the third race while leading due to an unconfirmed techanical issue.

Curtain eventually finished fifth overall to maintain his series lead, directly behind Honda privateer Grant Hay (Big Kahuna Racing/Jones XL/Shock Treatment).

The FX600 class also saw a first time winner in YRT’s Rick Olson, who won three from three ahead of ASBK Superstock 600 regular Mathew Walters (Kawasaki Connection) and Curtain.

Other victors on the day included Zac Davies (Formula Oz), Aaron Gobert (Supersport), Peter Galvin (FX 125GP Open), Al Phillis (FX 125GP Sport), Corey Snowsill (FX 250GP), Chris Knox (FX Pro-Twins), Peter Ward (FX Nakedbikes) and Richard Marrocchini (FX 400).

The FX Nationals on Saturday saw ASBK Superstock 1000 C and D grade series leader Cru Halliday dominate the FX1000 proceedings in spectacular form until a massive fall in Turn One on a competitor’s oil ruled him out of the running for Sunday with broken ribs and a badly damaged YZF-R1 that saw the forks broken and swingarm snapped completely.

Despite the fall, Halliday still won the overall with a trio of victories after claiming the pole position, beating out YRT’s Pat Medcalf, Hay, McMartin and Curtain – who suffered front tyre wear throughout the weekend and started many races from the back row as he opted for new rubber.

Medcalf was also admitted to hospital after a crash on Sunday, the dual Australian Superstock Champion emerging relatively unscathed after being knocked unconscious in the fall.

The series will now continue after a two-month break at Wakefield Park in New South Wales on 10-12 September.