2021 ASBK Round 4 mi-Bike Motorcycle Insurance Australian Superbike Championship presented by Motul by Motorcycling Australia

MA 2444

OFFICIAL EVENT PROGRAM ROUND 4 18 - 20 JUNE

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CONTENTS Click a title or page number to be redirected.

5 7 8 11 12 14 18 22 24 26 38 40 42 44 48 58 59 61

Welcome Message Round Schedule Track Information What is an ASBK Superbike? ASBK 2021 Calendar ASBK Ready to Rumble in the Valley Alpinestars Superbike Championship Getting a grip on the ASBK Tyre War Return of the Privateer ASBK Flashback Motorsports TV Supersport Championship Dunlop Supersport 300 Championship Yamaha Finance R3 Cup bLU cRU Oceania Junior Cup ASBK TV Back And Bigger In 2021 ASBK Series Officials ASBK Official Series Sponsors Race Flag Information

WARNING TO THE PUBLIC

Motor Racing is DANGEROUS, and spectators attending at this track do so entirely at their own risk. It is a condition of admission that all persons having connections with the promotion and/or conduct of the meeting, including the owners of the land, and the riders and owners of vehicles and passengers in vehicles, are absolved from all liability arising out of any accidents causing damage or personal injury to spectators or ticket holders except where due care and skill has not been exercised. WARNING The carrying or consumption of alcoholic beverages in the pit area is prohibited by order, Motorcycling Australia. NOTICE No animals allowed, guide dogs excepted by order of Motorcycling Australia.

Photos in this publication are by Russell Colvin, Karl Phillipson and Andrew Gosling

WELCOME FROM MA

On behalf of Motorcycling Australia (MA), we would like to welcome fans, riders and officials to the 2021 mi-bike Motorcycle Insurance Australian Superbike Championship, presented by Motul. We look forward to bringing you an action-packed program of racing at each, and every round of the Championship in 2021. For our Australian and international fans, you won’t miss a minute of the race action with our exclusive television coverage through our TV partners SBS, Fox Sports Australia, Fox Sports Asia, Eurosport, Sky Sport NZ and ASBK TV Live Stream. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all those involved in this weekend’s event including our fantastic volunteer marshals, the ASBK Senior

Officials and staff, for their hard work in planning and running the event. Thank you to our riders, teams, crew and sponsors for continuing to support the Championship. We can’t wait to see who is crowned Motorcycling Australia’s ASBK 2021 Champion. MA wishes everyone a safe and enjoyable event. Remember to always; Ride. Race. Enjoy! Peter Doyle CEO Motorcycling Australia

WELCOME FROM MI-BIKE MOTORCYCLE INSURANCE Mi-Bike Motorcycle Insurance is excited to again be the Naming Rights partner for ASBK in 2021. We are looking forward to a big year of racing ahead after the disrupted program last year, and we can’t wait to see the riders take to tracks across 6 states and territories. Mi-Bike’s partnership with ASBK is a natural fit, and we enjoy being able to meet with our customers and fellow ASBK fans trackside to talk about our insurance products and services, and your experiences in dealing with us.

The MA Member Benefits Program discount offer on Mi-Bike has been really well received by members; and we are delighted to be able to invest some of our income back into the sport through the ASBK sponsorship as well as other MA programs. Mark Bradley General Manager mi-bike Motorcycle Insurance

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ROUND 4 SCHEDULE THURSDAY 17TH JUNE START - FINISH

CATEGORY

LOCATION

DURATION

13:00 –14:00

ASBK Riders and Supercars Autograph session

Darwin Waterfront

1 Hour

Mindil Beach Sunset Market

1 Hour

17:30 – 18:30 ASBK Riders and Supercars Autograph session

FRIDAY 18TH JUNE START - FINISH

CATEGORY

SESSION

DURATION

10:25 –11:05

ASBK Alipinestars Superbikes

Practise 1

40 Mins

14:20 – 14:50 ASBK Alipinestars Superbikes

Practise 2

30 Mins

SATURDAY 19TH JUNE START - FINISH

CATEGORY

SESSION

DURATION

10:15 –10:35

ASBK Alipinestars Superbikes

Qualifying 1

20 Mins

10:40 – 10:55 ASBK Alipinestars Superbikes

Qualifying 2

15 Mins

14:05

Race 1

16 Laps

ASBK Alipinestars Superbikes

SUNDAY 20TH JUNE START - FINISH

CATEGORY

SESSION

DURATION

10:50

ASBK Alipinestars Superbikes

Race 2

16 Laps

14:05

ASBK Alipinestars Superbikes

Race 3

16 Laps

This schedule is approximate; and all starting times, length of sessions and races are subject to change; and may be changed in the event of an incident or delay in operations.

HIDDEN VALLEY RACEWAY CIRCUIT MAP

TRACK INFORMATION TRACK INFORMATION Turns

Track Length

2.86 km

Address

171 Hidden Valley Road, Hidden Valley, NT 0822

ASBK LAP RECORDS Superbike

Troy Herfoss (QLD)

Honda CBR1000

1:05.904

LIVE TIMING COMPUTIME Race Timing Systems has been the providing timing services to the ASBK at selected rounds since 1990, and has been the series timekeeper since 2004. Live timing and results services can be accessed as follows: In pit lane and parts of the pits (local wireless network): · · ·

Connect to the RACETIMING wire less network Open your web browser and type www.localtiming.com as the web address Follow the links to live timing, results, or other pages

NOTE: The RACETIMING network does not provide internet access

Anywhere else at the venue or anywhere else in the world: · Ensure you have internet connectivity · Open your web browser and type www.computime.com.au as the web address · Follow the links to live timing, results, or other pages for this event For all your live timing results please go to Computime http://www.computime.com.au/Default.aspx and follow the links to ASBK Live Timing. Go to ASBK.COM.AU for live timing.

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WHAT IS AN ASBK SUPERBIKE? They’re fast, they’re spectacular and they sound awesome, but they’re also very accessible. Bikes very similar to the ones that compete in the Australian Superbike Championship Alpinestars Superbike class can be purchased off the showroom floor by members of the general public. Engine capacities for the ASBK machines are restricted to 1,000cc and 168kg for four-cylinder bikes and 1,300cc and 172kg for two and three-cylinder machines. Engine modifications for the race versions of superbikes are extremely limited and Yamaha Racing Team Manager, John Redding, says the engine is not an area of major focus when it comes to performance gains for the Superbike class.

“Compared to the street version of the bike, the race bike will have different shock absorbers and fork internals, providing a much more adjustable setup.” Another area of race bikes that has undergone significant innovation in recent years has been the electronic systems, which have been adapted to provide functions such as fuelling, traction control, engine braking and anti-wheelie control. “Electronics are one of the most important areas of development and something that has become a critical factor in determining the speed that can be achieved by different bikes,” Redding said.

“To get a performance improvement of 10 per cent over the standard output is about as much as you can expect,” Redding said. “You can increase the compression ratio, fine-tune the degrees on the valve seats and adjust the cam timing for different tracks, but that’s about it. “One of the advantages of keeping the engines relatively standard is they are cheap to maintain and last a while between rebuilds.” “There are significant advantages to be gained in having the best electronic set-up.” The brakes on racing bikes are also upgraded, with items such as the master cylinder, brake lines, pads and discs all being replaced with race-specific items. “In a race situation, maximum stopping power is a priority, but brake wear is much less of a consideration than it would be on a road bike, because components can be changed after every session,” Redding said.

With the engine and gearbox both being close to standard, teams have turned to other aspects of the Superbikes to improve their performance. “Suspension has been a major area of development on the race-spec bikes,” Redding said.

Overall, Redding said the bikes in the mi-bike Motorcycle Insurance Australian Superbike Championship, presented by Motul, are much closer to road bikes than other Superbike championships around the world. “The permitted modifications are much more limited here in Australia, which has the advantage of containing costs,” Redding said.

“The suspension on a street bike is compromised for ride comfort, but on a racetrack, comfort isn’t a factor – it’s all about optimising the handling and the corner speeds that can be achieved.

2021 MI-BIKE MOTORCYCLE INSURANCE ROUND 1: WSBK - Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit Date: 18 - 21 February 2021 Permit: MA 2241 Circuit Details: Approx. 4.445 km, anti-clockwise Classes: Kawasaki Superbike, Motorsports TV Supersport, Dunlop Supersport 300, bLU cRU Oceania Junior Cup

ROUND 2: Winton Motor Raceway Date: 12 – 14 March 2021

Permit: MA 2242

Circuit Details: Approx. 3.0 km, clockwise Classes: Alpinestars Superbike, Motorsports TV Supersport, Dunlop Supersport 300, Yamaha Finance R3 Cup, bLU cRU Oceania Junior Cup, Horsell F1/F2 Sidecar

ROUND 3: Wakefield Park Raceway Date: 16 – 18 April 2021

Permit: MA 2243

Circuit Details: Approx. 2.2 km, clockwise Classes: Alpinestars Superbike, Motorsports TV Supersport, Dunlop Supersport 300, Yamaha Finance R3 Cup, bLU cRU Oceania Junior Cup, Horsell F1/F2 Sidecar

ROUND 4: Hidden Valley Raceway Date: 18 – 20 June 2021

Permit: MA 2244

Circuit Details: Approx. 2.86 km, anti-clockwise Classes: Alpinestars Superbike

AUSTRALIAN SUPERBIKE CHAMPIONSHIP CALENDAR ROUND 5: Morgan Park Raceway Date: 20 – 22 August 2021 Permit: MA 2245 Circuit Details: Approx. 2.415km, clockwise Classes: Alpinestars Superbike, Motorsports TV Supersport, Dunlop Supersport 300, Yamaha Finance R3 Cup, bLU cRU Oceania Junior Cup ROUND 6: International MotoFest – The Bend Motorsport Park Date: 23 – 26 September 2021

Permit: MA 2246

Circuit Details: Approx. 4.95 km, clockwise Classes: Alpinestars Superbike, Motorsports TV Supersport, Dunlop Supersport 300 ROUND 7: Wakefield Park Raceway Date: 15 – 17 October 2021 Permit: MA 2247 Circuit Details: Approx. 2.2 km, clockwise Classes: Alpinestars Superbike, Motorsports TV Supersport, Dunlop Supersport 300, Yamaha Finance R3 Cup, bLU cRU Oceania Junior Cup

ROUND 8: Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit Date: 5 - 7 November 2021 Permit: MA 2248 Circuit Details: Approx. 4.445 km, anti-clockwise Classes: Alpinestars Superbike, Motorsports TV Supersport, Dunlop Supersport 300, bLU cRU Oceania Junior Cup

ASBK READY TO RUMBLE IN THE VALLEY This weekend’s round of the mi-bike Motorcycle Insurance Australian Superbike Championship, presented by Motul (ASBK), is the first time since 2018 that the premier national class has visited the challenging Hidden Valley Raceway, and all riders are ready to rumble in Darwin on the magnificent layout. This is also the first time that the Alpinestars Superbike class in almost a decade have shared the stage with Supercars as part of this weekend’s Merlin Darwin Triple Crown. Hidden Valley Raceway may be short in distance at 2.8km, but it is extremely demanding requiring precision, commitment, aggression, and courage from riders for a good lap of the circuit that many consider one of the very best in Australia. The 1km long main straight starts the challenge, topping nearly 300kmph before the bravery of late braking takes over for the critical turn one. From there it is a charge over the undulating variations of the track to the daunting right-hand, turn five, before another hard braking spot at turn 6, then the charge over the last half of the track through one of the most confronting corners in Australia at turn 10. It is an intense corner to get correct, for the final part of the lap, but extremely easy to misjudge, and run out of bitumen. From there the next three corners are basically straight-lined into the final turn 14 where the drag race begins again. The ASBK Championship first visited the track in the late ‘90s and has visited sporadically over the years. ASBK returned in 2010 for four successive years before a middecade hiatus with a return of all the championship classes in 2017 and 2018. The 12 races over those six visits have produced six different winners, with four of them all in with a chance this weekend. The most successful rider at Hidden Valley is three-times Australian Superbike Champion, Josh Waters. Josh Waters

Troy Herfoss

Josh was scintillating in his performances when he won five of the six races from 2010-12, riding a Suzuki, although he didn’t race here in 2013 as he was competing in the British Superbike Championship. On his return to Australia, he added two more to his tally when the championship returned in 2017, and he smashed his own lap record by over a second (1:05.986), on his way to his third title that year. This year, he is racing for Kawasaki BC Performance on a brand new ZX-10R that is in the early stages of development. Waters will no doubt take inspiration from his team-mate’s results here in 2018, as Bryan Staring aboard the BC Performance machine finished second and third and has been on the podium a total of four times at Hidden Valley. 2018 was a watershed year for ASBK at Hidden Valley with moments of history created over that particular weekend. The major standout of that year was the appearance of threetimes World Superbike Champion, Troy Bayliss

Cru Halliday

ASBK READY TO RUMBLE IN THE VALLEY on his DesmoSport Ducati Panigale, and he proved that there was plenty of hunger left in the man that turned 50-years-old that year.

the DesmoSport Ducati but the usual suspects will be there also.

In qualifying for the event, Bayliss staked an early claim as he set the fastest ever lap for a motorcycle around the track (1:05.601), then in the opening race, led every lap in an exceptional battle with two-times Australian Champion, Troy Herfoss (Penrite Racing Honda CBR1000RR) and 2010 champion, Bryan Staring, to break through for his maiden win and an historic victory in the Championship. Bayliss went oh-so-close to claiming the double win. He and Herfoss had another Herculean battle that went down to the final laps. Slicing and dicing for the lead, with less than four laps remaining, Bayliss hit a false-neutral in his bike as he barreled into the turn 6 hairpin and ran off track briefly. In his charge back, he overcooked it going into the extremely daunting turn 10 and dropped back to seventh. Herfoss won the race and broke the race lap record in the process (1:05.904), from Staring with Wayne Maxwell - riding for Yamaha - in third. Those minor mistakes by Bayliss put a dent in his Championship hopes and graphically demonstrated the extremely thin line that overshadows every race at Hidden Valley and how precise, and inch-perfect, one must be. Bayliss finished third overall in the Championship behind 2018 Champion, Herfoss with Maxwell in second place, just three points ahead of the mercurial Bayliss. Bayliss will be otherwise engaged this weekend looking after his son, Oli, in his rookie year in the ASBK Championship on

Glenn Allerton

Mike Jones

It is not beyond the realms of possibility that Oli could end up on the podium as he has finished fourth in his second race on the Ducati V4R. Most of the leading contenders in this year’s title chase have tasted the victory champagne in the tropics and it is anyone’s guess who will rise to the occasion in the three races at Hidden Valley this weekend. In the four races held this year in the mi-bike Motorcycle Insurance Australian Superbike Championship, presented by Motul, the wins have been equally shared between defending

ASBK READY TO RUMBLE IN THE VALLEY ASBK champion Wayne Maxwell on the Boost Mobile with K-tech Ducati Panigale V4R, and his fiercest rival and very good mate, Troy Herfoss on the Penrite Honda. It has been the Herfoss and Maxwell show this year with the pair sharing the wins at two-apiece with some close proximity but fair racing that will be remembered for years, but this track rewards horsepower and handling in equal measure so it opens up the challenge to the rivals that is led by Oli’s teammate, 2019 Champion Mike Jones, who sits third in the title chase.

Besides a championship battle between riders and manufacturers there is also the bragging rights in the tyre war. The majority of the field run Pirelli rubber while Herfoss is the leading rider using the French Michelin tyres and the Kawasaki BC Performance team run on Dunlops. The action promises to be as hot as the tropical sun that will shine on the drama that is sure to unfold. If you have never seen Superbike racing before you are about to witness something very special.

Maxwell and Herfoss have both won at the venue with Maxwell a further four podium places, and Herfoss has three podium finishes. The other current rider that has won at Hidden Valley is Glenn Allerton on the Maxima Racing Oils BMW. Allerton is another rider with three ASBK titles and after a wretched couple of seasons afflicted by injury, is back to his race pace and is sure to have the BMW on song with his rivals. There are a few others worth keeping a close watch on; Unitech Racing’s Arthur Sissis is a leading privateer due to his experience and success in Speedway. He is a gun starter and is often the leader at the first turn. Also, since his switch to Yamaha this year, his race consistency has improved dramatically. Allerton’s teammate, Lachlan Epis, has improved at every outing and qualified fourth for the rounds at Winton and Wakefield Park. Once he finds the missing piece in the jigsaw of sustained race pace he will be knocking on the door of a podium, and that could well be this weekend.

Wayne Maxwell

Keep up to date with the latest news on the mi-bike Motorcycle Insurance Australian Superbike Championship, presented by Motul via www.asbk.com.au and following ASBK on Facebook and Instagram. You can also join our ASBK mailing list at www.asbk.com.au

Leading the way this year for Yamaha will be 2018 Australian Supersport Champion, Yamaha Racing Team’s Cru Halliday. Halliday won both races here in 2018 in dominant fashion and now that he is back on a 1000cc, factory-supported machine will no doubt be keeping his rivals honest.

ALPINESTARS SUPERBIKE CHAMPIONSHIP There is plenty of exciting changes for the 2021 mi-bike Motorcycle Insurance Australian Superbike Championship, presented by Motul, with an expanded field, new teams, and riders who are hungry for Championship glory. The high-performance Alpinestars Superbike machines are based on production motorcycles, with an engine/weight limit of 1,000cc and 168kg for four-cylinder bikes and 1,300cc and 172kg for two and three-cylinder machines. Only limited modifications to the bikes are permitted ensuring a wide range of manufacturers can compete on a level playing field, with Yamaha, Ducati, Honda, Suzuki, BMW and Kawasaki all achieving success in recent seasons. While the technical regulations are tightly controlled, there is still enough freedom to enable the specific strengths of different bikes, riders, teams and tyres to shine through, depending on the venue. The wide variety of circuits on the ASBK calendar – ranging from the high-speed curves and long straights of Phillip Island to the tight and technical confines of Winton and the undulations of Morgan Park – has produced a diverse array of race winners over the last couple of seasons. While the COVID-19 pandemic severely disrupted the competition in 2020, the ASBK Championship was still able to stage three spectacular rounds of racing. The traditional season-opener at Phillip Island in February, followed by a double-header round Grand Finale at Wakefield Park in December. At the end of the disrupted season, the rider who emerged as an emotional champion was Wayne Maxwell, who finally notched up his second ASBK title after a series of near misses. Last year Maxwell joined forces with Craig McMartin Racing on a Ducati V4R. He bolted out of the gates with a clean sweep at Phillip Island, and sealed the deal with a win and a trio of secondplace finishes from the four Wakefield Park races.

Finishing second in last year’s title race was Cru Halliday, with a string of consistent performances aboard his Yamaha, while Troy Herfoss was just one point behind Halliday in the final analysis. Herfoss was in dynamite form aboard his new Honda on home turf at Wakefield Park, setting a scorching pace throughout qualifying and the races. Had it not been for an untimely mechanical problem in the penultimate race of the season, Herfoss could well have run Maxwell much closer in the title contest. Maxwell and Herfoss remain with their respective teams for 2021 and Halliday and Aiden Wagner remain at Yamaha. 2017 champion Josh Waters has slotted alongside the consistent Bryan Staring at Kawasaki BCperformance Racing, and Glenn Allerton is back on board his NextGen Motorsports BMW after a much improved season in 2020. At Desmosport Ducati, 2019 Champion Mike Jones has been joined by young gun Oli Bayliss, who proudly carries the number 32 made famous by his father, and former World Superbike Champion Troy Bayliss. Oli has been impressive at the first two race meets this year and will be one to watch as the year progresses. There are also be a number of independent teams that have joined the paddock including Yanni Shaw who stepped up to the class aboard a Suzuki along with Nathan Spiteri. Matt Walters, Evan Byles and Davo Johnson are aboard Kawasaki’s, while Jed Metcher, Phil Czaj, Luke Jhonston, Michael Edwards, Daniel Falzon, Arthur Sissis, Aaron Morris, Anthony West, Mark Chiodo, Mitchell Paynter, Alexsander Savin, are all be flying Yamaha colours. Lachlan Epis and Jack Davis are waving the BMW flag. With a combination of experienced stars and exciting young talent, the 2021 Australian Superbike Championship is shaping up to be a cracker.

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ROUND 4 SUPERBIKE RIDER LIST NO

NAME

SURNAME

STATE ENTRANT

SPONSORS

MAKE

MODEL

Boost Mobile with K-tech

Ducati

V4-R

Wayne

MAXWELL

VIC

Boost Mobile Racing with K-Tech

Markus

CHIODO

VIC

Chiodo Motorsport

Apline Stars, Suomy Helmets, Michelin

Yamaha

YZF-R1

Jed

METCHER

VIC

Metcher Motorsport

Siemec, Fusport, Yamaha, YRD, YamaLube

Yamaha

YZF-R1

Matt

WALTERS

NSW

Kawasaki Connection

Kawasaki Australia, Kawasaki Connection, Rover Coaches, Du Speed, Pirelli, AGV Helmets, RST, Motul, SBS Brakes, RK Chains

Kawasaki

ZX10R

Anthony

WEST

QLD

MotoGo Yamaha

Yamaha

YZF-R1

Glenn

ALLERTON

NSW

Maxima Racing Oils BMW

BMW

S1000RR

Yamaha

YZF-R1

Luke

JHONSTON

VIC

MotoGo Yamaha

Motogo Yamaha, Taichi Leathers, Agv Helmets, The Bike Vault Castlemaine, Pirelli Tyres, Rbt Service, Suspension Pro, Yrd, Benweld, Track Sliders, Davis Bike Worx

Troy

HERFOSS

QLD

Penrite Honda

Honda

CBR1000SP

Josh

WATERS

VIC

Kawasaki BC Performance

Kawasaki

ZX10R

Matthew

TOOLEY

VIC

Phillip Island Ride Days, West Sliders

Yamaha

YZF - R1

Daniel

FALZON

JD Racing

William Adams CAT, Mainline Dyno, Yamaha Australia

Yamaha

YZF - R1

Aiden

WAGNER

QLD

Yamaha Racing Team

Yamaha Australia

Yamaha

YZF - R1

Oli

BAYLISS

QLD

Desmosport Ducati

Ducati

V4-R

Michael

EDWARDS

QLD

Northstar Yamah Race Team

Northstar Yamaha, Addicted To Track

Yamaha

YZF-R1

Mike

JONES

QLD

Desmosport Ducati

DesmoSport Ducati

Ducati

V4-R

Corey

TURNER

QLD

52 MotoSports

Yamaha

YZF - R1

Arthur

SISSIS

Cru

HALLIDAY

NSW

Bryan

STARING

Lachlan

EPIS

Jack

DAVIS

333

Yanni

SHAW

NSW

Unitech Racing

Remo Contractors / SA Profiling / SA Crush & Recycle Yamaha / Unitech Building Services

YZF-R1

Yamaha Racing Team

Yamaha Australia

Yamaha

YZF-R1

Kawasaki BC Performance

Kawasaki

ZX10R

NSW

Maxima Racing Oils BMW

Maxima Racing Oils, BMW

BMW

S1000RR

Thomson Airborne, SA Motorcycles

BMW

S1000RR

Team Specalist Suzuki

Suzuki

GSXR1000R

Team Specalist Suzuki

GETTING A GRIP ON THE ASBK TYRE WAR The battle between opposing tyre manufacturers has been an intriguing sub-plot of the 2021 mi-bike Motorcycle Insurance ASBK, presented by Motul, and the upcoming round at Hidden Valley is set to present the teams with new challenges for how they manage their rubber allocation for the weekend. In the most recent round at Wakefield Park, the race victories were shared between Pirelli (Wayne Maxwell) and Troy Herfoss (Michelin), but the Hidden Valley event will throw up a variety of curve-balls. The increased ambient and track temperatures are an obvious factor, along with Superbike riders and teams choosing not to conduct preevent testing at Darwin in the lead-up to the race meeting. We caught up with representatives from the four ASBK tyre homologation suppliers in the tyre war: Pirelli, Dunlop, Michelin and Bridgestone. Garry Crilly – Pirelli (Link International) Pirelli tyres are renowned for their performance and durability on the international stage, with the Italian brand servicing the FIM Superbike World Championship as the official tyre supplier. Teams and riders running Pirelli tyres include DesmoSport Ducati (Mike Jones and Oli Bayliss), Craig McMartin Racing (Wayne Maxwell), Next Gen Motorsports (Glenn Allerton and Lachlan Epis), Matt Walters, Ant West and Arthur Sissis.

Garry Crilly said the performance of Pirelli tyres in the scorching European summer heat can give the Pirelli-shod teams a wealth of confidence heading to Darwin. “Our tyres are the same ones used in the FIM Superbike World Championship,” Crilly said. “The heat doesn’t worry us – our tyres have been tried and proven in the sweltering heat, so the hotter, the better! “The more significant challenge for the teams will be the lack of testing, as they chose not to visit Darwin in the lead-up to the event. The Friday practice sessions will be particularly important.”

GETTING A GRIP ON THE ASBK TYRE WAR The ASBK tyre homologation list permits each tyre manufacturer to use two different front and three different rear compounds over the course of the season. Crilly said teams will be trialling different compound options in practice. “The teams will be experimenting with tyre compounds and bike setup to work out how they can best balance the objective of peak speed over one lap (for qualifying) with making sure the bike looks after its tyres over a race distance,” he said. “I think our biggest advantage in the tyre war will be the international knowledge base we can tap into.” Robbie Bugden – Dunlop (Ficeda Accessories)

Troy Herfoss is the most prominent rider on Michelin rubber, with others including Mark Chiodo, Jed Metcher and Aaron Morris also using the Michelin product. Sharp believes the biggest advantage of the Michelin rubber is their performance over longer runs. “Michelin definitely make tyres that last, and here in Australia our races are not particularly long compared to overseas,” Sharp said. “I haven’t actually been to Darwin before; it’s one of the few tracks I haven’t visited. But there are a lot of similarities to some of the overseas venues, especially with the high ambient and track temperatures we’ll be facing.”

The Yamaha factory team has chosen to use Dunlop tyres for its riders, Cru Halliday and Aiden Wagner, this season, while Kawasaki BCPerformance riders Bryan Staring and Josh Waters also continue to use Dunlops. According to Robbie Bugden, the 2021 season has been a promising one for Dunlop so far. “To get third at Winton, in our debut weekend with the Yamaha factory team, shows we’ve made steps forward with our versatility – it hasn’t traditionally been one of our strongest tracks,” Bugden said. “Heading to Hidden Valley will be a big test with the heat, but the circuit layout should suit our tyres. “One of the interesting factors will be sharing the event programme with the Supercars. The way they lay down their rubber is different to the bikes, because they take different lines; this can create some challenges with a variation in grip levels, which the riders will have to adapt to.” An accomplished rider himself, Bugden said his own racing experience is useful in dealing with the riders and teams. “When they’re providing feedback on how a tyre is behaving, I can understand what they’re feeling because I’ve experienced it myself,” he said.

Sharp is expecting the Michelin rubber to shine at some of the other events on the 2021 ASBK calendar. “Based on the testing we’ve done at other circuits, I think we’ll be strong at some of the other upcoming events,” he said. “Troy Herfoss recorded some very fast times in testing at Morgan Park, so that’s one we’re really looking forward to.” Craig White – Bridgestone (White’s Racing Products)

“Overall, the tyre war has become very competitive and created a lot of discussion in the paddock, which is a good thing for all the manufacturers as well as the ASBK.”

Two ASBK teams were signed up to use Bridgestone tyres in 2021, but the arrangements fell through due to a COVID-related lack of supply from the Bridgestone factory in Japan.

Doug Sharp – Michelin (Gas Imports)

“We couldn’t guarantee supply for 2021 and we didn’t want to inconvenience the riders, but we’re using this time to prepare for 2022,” Craig White said.

The Australian importer for Michelin Superbike tyres is Doug Sharp, a man who has spent decades in international grand prix racing paddocks, including a stint with the Repsol Honda team as a technician, working with riders such as Wayne Gardner, Daryl Beattie, Alex Criville and Nicky Hayden. With his vast experience at the very top level of motorcycle racing, Sharp is someone who has the potential to give Michelin a strong focus with their Australian exploits. He hasn’t been shy in bringing some other prominent names along for the ride, with fellow MotoGP mechanics Jeremy Burgess and Alex Briggs (who both worked as mechanics for superstar Valentino Rossi) called upon as Michelin tyre technicians at ASBK events.

“In a few months, Bridgestone are releasing a new range of slicks for the Supersport class and we’re also working on supplying some Superbike teams next season.” So, that leaves the question: which tyre manufacturer will prevail at Hidden Valley? Over the last few years, Pirelli has conquered the Superbike Championship, emerging victorious in the title contest on multiple occasions. Nevertheless, the Michelin and Dunlop tyres have proven to be very durable and consistent over a race distance. With each tyre brand represented by talented riders and capable teams, the war is as unpredictable as ever.

THE RETURN OF THE PRIVATEER While much of the focus of the mi-bike Insurance Australian Superbike Championship, presented by Motul (ASBK), is on the factory teams, the category is also home to a group of dedicated privateers who take the fight up to the larger outfits. This weekend at the Hidden Valley ASBK round will mark the return of two such riders to the Championship after recovering from crashes early in the year: Daniel Falzon and Corey Turner. Falzon’s talents are well-documented; the South Australian achieved a round victory as a privateer at Phillip Island in 2017; after riding for the factory Yamaha Racing Team for the 2018 and ’19 seasons, Falzon returned to his family-run team for the 2020 season before the pandemic hit. Although Falzon is kept busy away from the track with his full-time occupation as a paramedic, the 27-year-old was still intending to compete in most rounds of the 2021 Championship, but his plans were dealt a severe blow when he crashed in testing prior to the Wakefield Park round. “I had a fall, which caused significant damage to the bike and meant I wasn’t able to race at Wakefield Park, which was a shame,” Falzon said. “However, we’ve been able to repair the bike and since then, I’ve been able to do some testing at Tailem Bend and Mallala. “In some ways, it takes a lot of the pressure off for Hidden Valley, because there’s no championship pressure to worry about. I can just focus on enjoying the weekend and doing my best.” Falzon said he is feeling a lot more comfortable on the bike after surgery at the completion of the 2019 season. “Throughout 2019, I was suffering quite badly with some arm pump, but I had surgery to rectify those issues and it’s feeling much better,” he said.

While the 2021 season signifies Turner’s reappearance on a superbike, the Gold Coaster has certainly not been a stranger to the ASBK paddock in recent seasons, competing in the Australian Sidecar Championship, which he won in 2019 with his brother, Danyon Turner, as passenger. “2019 was our first year racing sidecars, it was a tight battle all year but we ended up winning the championship,” Turner said. “The plan for this year was to compete in the whole Superbike Championship. We bought a brand-new Yamaha R1 in July last year, and we spent the Christmas period building it into a race bike. “Unfortunately, I crashed it at Corey Turner Morgan Park in testing and it was almost totally written off – there were only a few components we were able to salvage. “As a small privateer team, when you have a crash like that, it’s a huge setback. But we were determined not to give up, and my sister-in-law started a GoFundMe page to raise some funds to fix the bike. “The generosity and support from the local motorcycling community, as well as my sponsors especially Brewed on Cuthbert has just been unbelievable and we’ve been able to get the bike rebuilt in time for Hidden Valley.

Falzon also said his paramedic job has given him a new level of appreciation for the volunteer medical teams at motorsport events.

“Because I haven’t raced Superbikes lately, it’s hard to get a gauge on where everyone else is at, so I just want to put my best foot forward and be competitive.”

“I’ve always had an enormous amount of respect for the doctors and nurses at Racesafe, I hold them in very high regard, but now even more so,” he said.

They might not have the resources of the larger teams at their disposal, but when it comes to sheer passion and determination, both Falzon and Turner will be a match for anyone at Hidden Valley.

Daniel Falzon

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ASBK FLASHBACK In the year 2021, as we progress through the third decade of the 21st century, lets time-travel over the past 21 seasons of the ASBK Championship - with a bit of added history from last century. During the 1970s, Australia pioneered production motorcycle racing, most notably the iconic Castrol 6-Hour at the now defunct Amaroo Park and Oran Park circuits, on the outskirts of Sydney.

1987. Since then, many riders have etched their name on the trophy; Robbie Phillis, Malcolm Campbell, Troy Corser, the late Kirk McCarthy, Anthony Gobert, Marty Craggill, current MA President, Peter Goddard, and ASBK commentator Steve Martin are just some that were crowned Australian Superbike Champions.

In 1970, visionary promoter, Vince Tesoriero and his fellow Willoughby MMC club members, dreamed up the first Castrol 6-Hour, and the annual event soon developed into THE production race in the world. Then instead of endurance races, what about sprint races for modified machines with the top riders of the day like Warren Willing, Len Atlee and Garry Thomas involved. The catch cry on one of the poster was “Super heroes on Super bikes”. It’s often attributed that “Superbike” racing commenced in the USA, but believe it or not, “Superbike” racing commenced, here, in Australia on February 18, February 1973, at Amaroo Park and the rules were pretty open for what was allowed to be improved on the machines.

Shaun Giles

THE 21ST CENTURY In the past 21 seasons, we have witnessed 11 riders raise the silverware to the skies at season’s end, and in the 15 championships contested since 2006 there have been seven race winners. Astoundingly, the six riders that have shared the championship title since 2008 are all still competing this year and any one

The four-round series was called the “Chesterfield 5000” - the “5000” signifying the prize money that was up for grabs in the first year. That’s over $50,000 in today’s rates. The concept only lasted three years. After a hiatus, Victorian clubs commenced their own competitions for modified big-bore, four-stroke machines and the southern state soon became the home, and powerhouse of Australian Superbike racing. The racing was hard, fast and spectacular and riders like Robbie Phillis, Malcolm “Wally” Campbell and the late Andrew “AJ” Johnson became household names. From those embryonic events, the Australian Superbike Championship evolved. The first Australian Superbike Championship was in Craig Coxhell

There are also some notable ASBK Championship riders that were able to launch into overseas careers including Darryl Beattie, Rob Phillis, Josh Brookes and current ASBK riders Bryan Staring, Josh Waters, Tom Bramich, Tom Edwards, and this year 2020 Supersport 300 Champion Harry Khouri in the WorldSBK Supersport 300 class.

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ASBK FLASHBACK of them could squeeze another ASBK trophy into an already crowded cabinet. In the past 21 seasons, only three riders; Wayne Maxwell, Glenn Allerton and Mike Jones have won championships on different brands. but since 2007, no rider has managed to win back-to-back titles. Let’s take a step back.

CONTINUED

In 2008 Stauffer was thwarted a three-peat when Glenn Allerton - who won the Privateer championship the previous year - won his first of three titles. Allerton’s feat brought Honda back to the top of the pile as he beat the Yamaha’s of Jamie Stauffer who was 10 points adrift with his brother, Dan, third overall. The first time two brothers had been in the top three of the ASBK. In 2009, Allerton was on track to bag two in a row as he led the title by two points over Josh Waters, heading into the final round at Phillip Island, but Waters was not to be denied with two wins against a second and a third for Allerton. Waters won the first of his three titles, by 10 points from Allerton and returned Suzuki to the top manufacturer. 2010: After winning the Supersport title in 2009, Western Australian Bryan Staring took out the Superbike title from Maxwell who went one better to be second in the title from Allerton. This was a springboard for Staring to head overseas to compete in various world championships, the pinnacle, a season in MotoGP.

Bryan Staring

The new millennium dawned and it was the era of Suzuki domination with Shawn Giles winning an unprecedented three titles in a row from 2000-2002. It wasn’t all plain sailing as he was up against fierce competition led by Kevin Curtain, but “Gilesy” carved his own unique slice of history as no rider before or since, has managed to put three titles together on the trot.

Staring is the only rider to win titles in the Australian 125cc GP, Supersport and Superbike Championships. 2011: Allerton regained the number one plate but this time he gave BMW its first national championship. In fact he gave BMW its first Superbike race win in the world at the support races for the WSBK round at Phillip Island at the beginning of the year.

In 2003 it was Giles’ team-mate in Team Suzuki, Shepparton’s Craig Coxhell who lifted the title after out running his team mate to the line. Suzuki’s four-year stranglehold was broken in 2004 when Adam Fergusson, riding for Honda, was the first to take out the Superbike/Supersport double, dominating both championships. Fergusson’s team-mate, Josh Brookes repeated the feat the following year, but the 2005 ASBK title was decided on a count back as at Phillip Island, Brookes and Giles finished the season on equal points. Brookes was crowned the champion because of race victories. Since then, Brookes has finished third in the World Supersport Championship and claimed two British Superbike titles, the most recent in 2020. Jamie Stauffer was the man of the moment in 2006/07. In his first championship-winning year he emulated Fergusson and Brookes by taking the ASBK/Supersport double riding for the Yamaha Factory Team with his brother Dan in the garage. Josh Waters

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ASBK FLASHBACK

CONTINUED

In 2016, Australia’s best came out guns blazing in what was an enthralling year. The title was a battle between team-mates, Allerton and Maxwell on Yamaha, and Troy Herfoss (Honda). But, there was a Wild Card at Wakefield when Anthony West, sharing a pit box with Herfoss came out to play and finished second in both races. In the washup Herfoss eventually claimed his maiden title with a round to spare but he was assisted as major rival and great mate, Maxwell crashed out of the opening race at Winton allowing Allerton to leap-frog into second place overall.

He won the title by a massive 68 points from Jamie Stauffer and Troy Herfoss with Maxwell 4th. 2012: If it was good enough for Allerton to win a second title, Waters thought the same as he wrapped up his in the same time frame as Allerton after a three-year gap. The title again went to the wire with Maxwell taking another second overall to score three top three finishes in four seasons. Jamie Stauffer was third, the last time he was to finish in the top three in his stellar career.

2017: What a year with four different title leaders over the seven rounds. Daniel Falzon (Yamaha) led for three rounds before Herfoss (Honda) overhauled him in Darwin, although, after a mediocre start to his return season in Australia, Josh Waters (Suzuki) gained momentum with two victories as Maxwell DNF’d race 2. In the next round at Morgan Park, Herfoss uncharacteristically crashed out as Maxwell (Yamaha) took over at the top, as the title lead continued to see-saw. With two rounds remaining, there was a 24-point spread from leader, Maxwell to Waters in fifth place.

2013: It was Maxwell who, after going so close on past occasions, finally broke through for his maiden Superbike title, riding a Suzuki. Allerton was second from Maxwell’s team-mate Robbie Bugden who finished third, for the second time. In 2014, Allerton was making a habit of winning a title every three years taking out his third title with Linden Magee, nephew of Kevin, claiming a 1-2 for BMW with Ben Nicholson third. 2015 was a fight between two new up and coming Superbike riders who had won championships in the lower grades. Mike Jones (Kawasaki) and Daniel Falzon (Yamaha) set up a fierce on-track rivalry in their ambitions for a maiden ASBK title. It all unraveled in the first race, at the second last round at Symmons Plains when in close proximity dueling, Falzon crashed out and the championship was lost. Jones went to the final round at Phillip Island with the title in the tool box. Kawasaki won the manufacturer’s title for the first time this century.

Mike Jones & Troy Herfoss

That changed at SMSP as Waters took two wins, Herfoss was consistent with 2-3 finishes and Maxwell crashed in the second leg to drop to third and hand Herfoss the title lead with Waters leap-frogging into second, the trio split by 15 points.

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ASBK FLASHBACK At the final round Phillip Island, Herfoss had a strong chance for two titles on the trot but he was gut-wrenchingly denied that honour when his bike expired in the first race as Waters and Maxwell shared the wins for Josh to take, what many considered, an unexpected championship from Maxwell in second and Herfoss third.

CONTINUED

The 2019 season was run on the rev-limiter as the level of intensity, drama and action lifted to yet another level. There was a setback at the first round at Phillip Island, as Bayliss who, after an impressive 2018 was out to go even better, but had his season ruined in the opening race. On the fifth lap, chasing Maxwell and ASBK newcomer Aiden Wagner (Yamaha), tagged Maxwell’s rear tyre at turn one-Doohan Corner and spectacularly departed stage left. He suffered a hand injury and put the helmet on the rack. Maxwell won that opening race, but the drama escalated in leg two. Wagner and Maxwell clashed in a well reported incident in the second leg in their battle for the lead, with Wagner taking the win and Maxwell tasting gravel at high speed. In the third leg, Mike Jones finished second on a privateer Kawasaki to Wagner, but more impressively, he claimed a new lap record. This result saw him rejoin the Bayliss team for the year.

Mike Jones

While the front runners have remained virtually unchanged for the past 12 years, from 2016 the ASBK Championship has stepped up a notch each year, and in 2018 it hit top gear. The championship visited the new, world class Bend Motorsport Park in South Australia, returning to the state for the first time in nearly a decade. To add to the usual suspects, three times WSBK champion, Troy Bayliss, committed to the series for 2018. And it wasn’t just for novelty value. Bayliss was on it from the start and proved that age is no barrier as in the opening race of the year he finished second to Herfoss by just 0.2 sec, the top four separated by just half a second.

Gloss was removed from the championship at the next round at Wakefield Park, when Wagner crashed during practice that forced his withdrawal from the title chase. The title went down to the final round between Jones, Herfoss, Maxwell and the mercurial journeyman, Cru Halliday (Yamaha) who all had a chance of championship glory. In a dramatic final race at SMSP at Eastern Creek, it came down to a battle between Jones and Herfoss. Whoever won the last race won the title. The championship was decided with just three corners left, as the pair swapped paint heading into the infamous hairpin that has decided so many races, including GPs.

He backed that up with a couple of wins including the final race of the year at the Island - and a number of podium finishes to push his younger rivals to produce their best against one of the world’s best. That’s to take nothing away from his rivals who rose to the occasion. Herfoss grabbed the championship by the throat in the fifth round, at Morgan Park, with a perfect score and took out his second championship at the next meeting with a round to spare through consistency, and race wins. Maxwell finished second with Bayliss just a few points away in third. Troy Bayliss

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ASBK FLASHBACK

CONTINUED

Herfoss ran a little wide and Jones won the title on a Ducati, in a team run by Troy Bayliss, with Maxwell third overall. Every week brought a change in direction. Much was expected of 2020, but, as we are fully aware, the year was ruled by the COVID pandemic. Every week brought a change in direction and only a three-round championship was possible. One round in February alongside the WSBK at the Island with the next two rounds in December, at the contrasting Wakefield Park Raceway. Maxwell saddled up with his fourth stable in his ASBK career when he jumped on the Italian stallion, Ducati. He dominated the first round with a perfect score as heartbreak hit defending champion Jones, when he was pushed from the grid in the opening race with a minor mechanical problem. Herfoss had been the man to beat at his home track at Wakefield in recent years. He won the second round with a perfect 51 points to close the gap to Maxwell to just 17 points with 2019 Supersport Champion, Cru Halliday in line for a top three title finish.

Wayne Maxwell

Herfoss’ chances evaporated the next morning in the first race of round three when a mechanical problem forced his retirement. Maxwell won the race and the title as Herfoss rued another title that was snatched away. Herfoss won the last race from Maxwell, but Halliday had done enough through consistency to claim second overall, a solitary point in front of Herfoss.

Bring on 2021!

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MOTORSPORTS TV SUPERSPORT CHAMPIONSHIP The quality of competition in the Motorsports TV Supersport Championship is often just as good as the top level Superbike category. Often affectionately described in the paddock as “600s”, Supersport bikes can in fact have an engine capacity of up to 750cc for two-cylinder motors. In the interests of maintaining costs at a manageable level, the bikes are mostly productionspec and modifications are limited. They also run on treaded production tyres.

Toparis, who was expected to step up to the Superbike class in 2021 has recently undergone significant arm surgery which will see him miss the season while Stauffer and Pearson will return to Supersport and will be among the title favourites, along with Tom Edwards and Nic Liminton, who are also race winners in the category.

Supersport has become well established as a feeder category for Superbikes, with many riders using the category as a stepping stone to the pinnacle of Australian motorcycle racing.

Another one to watch will be Ted Collins; after winning the 2017 Supersport title and progressing to Superbikes, Collins is set for a return to the Supersport category in 2021.

Additionally, it has been a launching pad for riders to create overseas opportunities in both the WorldSBK and BSB. After his dominant championship victory in 2019, Tom Toparis was set to compete in the 2020 European and World Supersport Championships before his international campaign was curtailed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Toparis returned to Australia in time to claim back-to-back Supersport titles, but faced tough opposition from his close friend and on-track rival Oli Bayliss, as well as Max Stauffer and Broc Pearson, who each snared race victories.

The likes of Jack Passfield and Tom Bramich should also be among the Supersport front-runners, while a couple of young guns with impressive pedigree in the Supersport 300 and YMF R3 Cup, John Lytras and Luke Power, will step up to Supersport this season. The Motorsports TV Supersport class will be back on track at Round 5 of ASBK, Morgan Park Raceway, Queensland, August 20-22.

DUNLOP SUPERSPORT 300 CHAMPIONSHIP The Dunlop Supersport 300 category has become renowned for producing some of the closest and most exciting racing on the ASBK program. Supersport 300 is open to production-based motorcycles, with an engine capacity between 250cc to 400cc, depending upon the number of cylinders. The restricted engine capacity means riders as young as 13 can compete in the class, and the tightly controlled technical regulations provide a level playing field for different manufacturers.

The 2020 Supersport 300 title was taken out by 16-year-old Harry Khouri, who clean-swept the opening round at Phillip Island and sealed the title with a consistent performance in the two Wakefield Park rounds. Khouri’s success has earned him a World Supersport 300 Championship ride for 2021. While Khouri was a comprehensive victor, the contest for second was far tighter with just eight points separating John Lytras, Ben Baker, Archie McDonald and Luke Power in the final standings.

As a result, Supersport 300 races typically feature large masses of bikes racing in close proximity to one another and swapping positions multiple times each lap. Very often, races are decided by an epic slipstreaming contest coming out of the final corner.

While Lytras, Power and Baker are progressing to Supersport, McDonald returns to the grid in 2021, while the Champion welcomes the next wave of graduates from the Oceania Junior Cup, such as Cameron Dunker, Tom Drane, Clay Clegg, and Angus Grenfell. This emphasis on race craft, combined with the accessibility to junior competitors, has made Supersport 300 a very attractive category for young, up and coming riders. In the ASBK hierarchy, it is considered an intermediate step between the Oceania Junior Cup and the more powerful Supersport class.

The Dunlop Supersport 300 class will be back on track at Round 5 of ASBK, Morgan Park Raceway, Queensland, August 20-22.

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YAMAHA FINANCE R3 CUP Introduced to the ASBK in 2016, the Yamaha Finance R3 Cup is a one-make series featuring the Yamaha R3 motorcycle. Since its introduction, the R3 Cup has served multiple purposes; as well as being a breeding ground for stars of the future, it is also a fun and affordable class for those wishing to race in the ASBK Championship. Modifications are limited and because all the bikes are similar, race results are determined by a rider’s ability. The evenness of the machinery places a premium on race-craft, corner speed and slipstreaming.

The Yamaha R3 motorcycles are also eligible for the Supersport 300 Championship and often riders will gain extra track time by entering in both categories. The final standings in the 2020 R3 Cup served to demonstrate the closeness of the competition, Carter Thompson defeating John Lytras by just a single point in a title contest that came right down to the last lap of the last race. Archie McDonald and Ben Baker were also among the contenders, finishing within 10 points of Thompson come season’s end.

The R3 Cup races are typified by masses of bikes racing fiercely and swapping positions several times each lap and more often than not sees a cavalcade of riders crossing the finish line within millimetres of each other.

The 2021 Yamaha Finance R3 Cup is largely populated by young, up-and-coming riders such as former Oceania Junior Cup riders Marianos Nikolis, Tom Drane, Clay Clegg and Lucas Quinn, but there are also some experienced riders in the field, such as Brandon Demmery. The Yamaha Finance R3 Cup will be back on track at Round 5 of ASBK, Morgan Park Raceway, Queensland, August 20-22.

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BLU CRU OCEANIA JUNIOR CUP The last 2 seasons of the bLU cRU Oceania Junior Cup have provided enthralling action, with young riders eager to prove themselves while also learning about the fundamentals of road racing, including bike control and slipstreaming.

Drane scored a win in the last race of the season to seal runner-up honours, while Cameron Dunker was third ahead of Cameron Swain. Lucas Quinn was not able to replicate his form from Phillip Island and slipped to fifth in the final standings

The 2019 season began with Carter Thompson dominating proceedings in the opening round at Wakefield Park, but in the middle stages of the season, Thompson faced severe opposition from Angus Grenfell, who won the Morgan Park round and was on for a clean sweep at Winton before crashing out of the final race. However, Thompson struck back with a round win at Phillip Island after Grenfell struggled with qualifying pace. The Phillip Island round was notable for the closeness of the competition. In one of the races, the top 12 riders were separated by just 0.4s! In the season finale at Sydney Motorsport Park, Thompson strung together a trio of consistent finishes to clinch the title by 31 points over Grenfell, who lost some more ground with a DNF in the weekend’s opening race. Tom Drane finished the year third in the standings; the former dirt track rider was generally towards the pointy end and continually improved throughout the standings. The winner of that last 2019 round at SMP was Marianos Nikolis, in what turned out to be something of a preview for the 2020 season. While Nikolis settled for second behind Lucas Quinn in the opening round at Phillip Island, he was the class act of the field in Rounds 2 and 3 at Wakefield Park, taking a trio of race wins on the Saturday before chalking up a pair of podiums on the Sunday to clinch the title.

The 2021 OJC has again attracted a capacity field of 20 riders and is guaranteed to provide fans with spectacular racing. The youngest rider on the grid will be 11-year-old Western Sydney competitor Elijah Andrew, while the oldest will be 15-year-old Victorian Tate McClure. The series also welcomes its first Tasmanian rider, Oliver Skinner. Riders returning to the series include Swain, along with Nate O’Neill, Varis Fleming, Hayden Nelson and Levi Russo. The bLU cRU Oceania Junior Cup will be back on track at Round 5 of ASBK, Morgan Park Raceway, Queensland, August 20-22.

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ASBK TV BACK AND BIGGER IN 2021 ASBK fans will receive a deluge of exclusive live television coverage of the 2021 mi-bike Motorcycle Insurance Australian Superbike Championship, presented by Motul.

Junior Cup, plus race fans will get no shortage of behind the scenes features.

The ASBK Management are thrilled to have ASBK TV partner SBS as the Official Free to Air TV broadcaster of ASBK in 2021.

Fans across the nation and around the World can also log-on to www.asbk.com.au and watch up to 8 hours of Live ASBK TV Live Stream on race days.

SBS has long been the home of great motorsport for many decades and in 2021 will be providing ASBK race fans with both Live Free to Air coverage and the opportunity to catch all the action via SBS On Demand.

All the thrills, spills and drama will be brought to you by new ASBK TV Team, with Host Riana Crehan, and World Endurance Champion and former ASBK Champion Steve Martin, specialist commentator Phil Harlum, and Mark Bracks – the voice of ASBK.

SBS Director of Sport, Ken Shipp said: “We are thrilled to be part of the evolution of ASBK”.

Motorcycling Australia CEO, Peter Doyle, said he was thrilled to have SBS back as the Official Free to Air broadcaster, again cementing our strong relationship with SBS and is excited to welcome back Fox Sports Australia, who have both supported MA and ASBK for many years. Added to the international coverage of Fox Sports Asia, Eurosport and Sky Sport NZ ASBK couldn’t be happier with our plans for 2021.

“The ASBK deliver gripping action on every occasion and will provide compelling viewing for all Australians.

ASBK TV Host - Riana Crehan

“SBS has long been a great supporter of motorsports both domestically and internationally, and we can’t wait to assist in the growth of the ASBK by providing an accessible platform.”

ASBK welcomes back ASBK TV partner Fox Sports Australia as Official Pay TV broadcaster on their platforms via Fox Sports Channel 506 and Kayo. Fox Sports Australia is the home of MotoGP, WorldSBK and Supercars Championships, with ASBK joining this elite group. International race fans can catch the action on Fox Sports Asia, Eurosport and Sky Sport NZ who continue to broadcast the Championship around the world. Each stand alone round of the thrilling ASBK action will be broadcast Live over three hours. From the comfort of home, or on mobile devices, SBS will provide free to air coverage, and Fox Sports Australia, Fox Sports Asia, Eurosport and Sky Sport NZ will ensure pay TV viewers won’t miss a minute of the action. Live race coverage will include the Pirelli Superbike, Supersport, Supersport 300, and selected races of the bLU cRU Oceania

ASBK TV Specialist commentary team - Steve Martin, Riana Crehan, Mark Bracks & Phil Harlum

“Our TV partners have been vital in ensuring we can build the ASBK Championship over the past few years and reach new audiences both here in Australian and internationally,” Mr Doyle said. “Our TV partners are important to showcasing the talents of our ASBK riders, to teams and manufacturers here at home and around the world. Over the past few years we have seen a long list of riders head away internationally from the ASBK paddock, and we can all be proud of this success.” ASBK TV production partner AVE returns in 2021 bringing a wealth of experience and expertise to the TV production through Motorsports TV. Check your local guides for times and more information.

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OCEANIA JUNIOR CUP INTERNATIONALLY RECOGNISED Since its inception in 2019, the FIM and Dorna Sportssupported bLU cRU Oceania Junior Cup (OJC) has become firmly established as a stepping-stone to the international racing arena. The OJC concept was created by Motorcycling Australia, as a method of setting up a junior race academy that would produce a nurturing environment for young riders to experience road racing at a national level, learn, improve and showcase their talents. Even before the inaugural OJC commenced in 2019, Dorna Sports officially recognised it as a Road to Moto GP category. As a result, a formal pathway was created for the most outstanding OJC riders to progress to other international categories, such as the Asia Talent Cup and Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup. The OJC formula is simple, but effective. Competitors aged from 11 up to under 16 compete against each other on identical Yamaha YZF-R15 race prepped motorcycles, equipped with Pirelli tyres, Öhlins suspension, RK chains and Motul oil. In the interests of making the entry-level pathway into motorcycle road racing as hassle-free as possible, the OJC package includes transport of the motorcycle to and from each round of the series, along with preparation and maintenance during and between events. This removes barriers to entry for competitors and families who may not have the logistics or technical expertise to prepare their own motorcycles.

OJC riders also receive branded Ricondi leathers, AGV helmets, TCX boots, gloves and a team uniform as part of the deal. One of the benefits of the OJC is the emphasis on young rider education through the year as well as specialised training camps. In 2021, OJC competitors will be treated to a two-day intensive training program at Winton Motor Raceway as part of the junior road racing academy program and conducted by former MotoGP rider Damian Cudlin. Competitors will receive tuition on racing and riding techniques as well as undergoing gruelling fitness training. They will also be educated on off-track aspects of the sport, such as career planning, media and sponsorship. Even though it has only run for two seasons, OJC has already earned a formidable reputation as a breeding ground for stars of the future. The inaugural series champion, Carter Thompson, was selected to participate in the Asia Talent Cup in 2020 and while the season did not progress due to COVID, he stayed race sharp by participating in some local events and series, as well as winning the ASBK YMF R3 Cup title. Thompson will be joined on the 2021 Asia Talent Cup grid by last year’s OJC champion Marianos Nikolis and runner-up Tom Drane, who both impressed during the selection process.

PISTA GP RR - IRIDIUM EVERY DETAIL IS DESIGNED TO ENSURE ULTIMATE PERFORMANCE. The Pista GP RR is an exact replica of the AGV helmet used in races by professional world championship riders. It has therefore received FIM homologation, which certifies the highest possible level of protection.

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The Ninja 400 and Z400 deliver great performance and ease of riding for a wide range of riders. The engine and chassis have superb power and are lightweight. Comfortable, balanced and capable, both motorcycles offer a visceral riding experience that is sure to turn heads.

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Michelin

POWER PERFORMANCE SLICK

Michelin

POWER PERFORMANCE CUP

Michelin POWER RAIN

Delivering race-winning pace lap after lap! easy to control

NON ROAD LEGAL MOTO 1000 & 600 MANDATORY TYRE WARMERS

Michelin

Developed to suit amateur to experienced riders and all types of motorbikes.

Delivering race-winning pace lap after lap!

The tyre provides the grip needed from the first laps. The materials used allow the rubber to warm up quickly. It benefits from the latest technologies developed in MotoGP™.

POWER PERFORMANCE SLICK

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Performance made to last The tyre delivers consistent performance, stint after stint*. Consistence achieved thanks to a footprint that is uniform over the various camber phases.

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Warm-up NON ROAD LEGAL MOTO

600CC MANDATORY TYRE WARMERS

Michelin

POWER PERFORMANCE CUP Delivering race-winning pace lap after lap! competition

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Michelin POWER RAIN

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Performance made to last The tyre delivers consistent performance, lap after lap. Consistence achieved thanks to a footprint that is uniform over the various camber phases.

Treaded version of the MICHELIN Power Performance Slick, developed to suit both amateur and experienced riders and all motorbikes. The tyre is optimized for Supersport 600cc bikes riding in national and international championships.

weather

NON ROAD LEGAL

The tyre provides the grip needed from the first lap. The materials used allow the rubber to warm up quickly. It benefits from the latest technologies developed in MotoGP™.

road

Specially designed so that your track days and races can go ahead even in the rain! The compound has been developed for maximum wet grip and its grooved tread ensures optimum water drainage.

ASBK SERIES OFFICIALS Peter

SMITH

MA Steward

Tom

WILLIAMS

ASBK Race Director

Simon

MAAS

ASBK Safety Officer

Paul

HINDS

ASBK Clerk of Course

Gary

BLEAZBY

ASBK Clerk of Course

Peter

BLACK

ASBK Deputy Clerk of Course

Denise

STRONACH

ASBK Race Secretary

Rob

SCOTT

ASBK Chief Technical Officer

Gino

COYLE

ASBK Deputy Chief Technical Officer

Graeme

EVERHARD

ASBK Chief Marshal

Sam

PHILLIPS

ASBK Chief Pit Lane Marshal

Jan

HIGGINS

ASBK Series Tyre Scrutineer

Ian

REDDIN

ASBK Assistant Technical

Scott

LAING

ASBK Chief Timekeeper

Brendan

FERRARI

ASBK Official Starter

Shelley

THOMPSON

ASBK Radio Comms

MOTORCYCLING AUSTRALIA WOULD ALSO LIKE TO THANK ALL THE ASBK VOLUNTEER OFFICIALS!

SERIES MEDICAL TEAM

Dr Ryan

BRESLIN

Michael

MURRAY

Jude

BARNES

Daryl

PENDREY

Mark

BACKWAY

Karen

PENDREY

Rebecca

CATTIGAN-LABUSCHAGNE

Dr Michael

THUMM

Alexandra

GALL

Paul

VAN DEN AKKER

Andre

LABUSCHAGNE

Bettina

WESTENFELDER

Dr Kara

LANDON

Alex

YOUNG

Peter

MONKS

OFFICIALS COMPUTIME SERIES Scott

LAING

Mark

ARNOLD

2021 ASBK OFFICIAL SPONSORS

The MA RACESAFE Medical Team launches into a new Australian Superbike Championship season, all thanks to the support of our major sponsors Motorcycling Australia, Motul Pirelli and Thor. The highly trained & dedicated team of Medical Professionals includes Doctors, Surgeons, Intensive Care Paramedics, Emergency Nurses and Physiotherapists. The team will continue to fulfil the critical role as the Official Medical Team for the 2021 mi-bike Australian Superbike Championships, presented by Motul. The 2020 RACESAFE season was full of thrills and spills which kept the RACESAFE Medical Team busy at every event. Emergency Medical & Sports Medicine treatments were provided to competitors, with the RACESAFE Medical Team again spearheading exciting new developments in its well established rider care program. The expertise of the MA RACESAFE Medical Team is in hot demand, with this team now providing the Official Medical Service for the 2021 Australian Motocross Championships - MX Nationals, 2021 Australasian Supercross Series and Troy Bayliss Classic, just to name a few. Thanks to a shared vision for rider safety with their sponsors, the MA RACESAFE Medical Team has continued to pioneer new levels of rider care across Australia. Without their dedicated sponsors the MA RACESAFE Medical Team would never make it to track to provide this crucial role.

“Motorcycling Australia is very pleased to come on board as the major sponsor of RACESAFE Australia for 2021 and beyond. The RACESAFE team will be key component of the 2021 mi-bike Australian Superbike Championships, presented by Motul, as well as at the MX Nationals, Australian Supercross Championship and other major MA national events throughout the year. The level of medical service and support provided to these events and our motorcycling community as a whole is unrivalled, and that is why we had no hesitation partnering up together for the good of all of our stakeholders. We are looking forward to working together with RACESAFE to support and enhance the range of services they can offer, which will no doubt benefit our MA membership in many ways.” Quoted Motorcycling Australia CEO Peter Boyle. Exclusive to the Motorcycling Australia’s national motorcycle championships, is the MA RACESAFE Mobile Medical Unit. This world class facility will travel to each round of the ASBK series and will provide an onsite Emergency Medical centre, Physiotherapy facility, plus Mobile Command Unit for the MA RACESAFE Medical Team. Equipped with the most modern advance life support medical and sports medicine equipment, this unit is a first for Australian Motorsport. The project rivals any unit worldwide.

www.racesafe.com.au

MA RACESAFE Mobile Medical Unit includes: • Philips Critical Care Monitors with ECG, SP02, NIBP, etC02 • Philips MRx Heart Defibrillator • BOC Medical - Oxygen Systems • BOC Medical - Suction Unit • I.V systems • Intubation / Airway Management Unit • Sphygmomanometers • Otoscope & Ophthalmoscope • X-Ray Viewer • Trauma Beds • Ultrasound Unit • Portable Interferential Unit • Arm Pump Treatment Unit • Simoco Two-way Radio Systems MA RACESAFE Medical Team will include for the 2020 Australian Superbike Championships : • • •

Motul RACESAFE Medical Chase Cars - Fully equipped with Advanced Life Support Equipment

•

MA RACESAFE Medical Team including, - Emergency Director - Series Chief Medical Officer - Intensive Care Paramedics - Emergency Nurses - Sports Physiotherapists - High Speed Chase Driver - Technical Support Officer - Orthopaedic Surgeons - Emergency Doctors

RACE FLAGS

YELLOW FLAG

CHEQUERED FLAG

BLUE FLAG

BLACK FLAG

RED FLAG

YELLOW & RED STRIPED FLAG

Waved - danger ahead Riders must slow down and be prepared to stop. Overtaking is forbidden.

Waved - flag indicate a rider that they are about to be overtaken.

Waved - race or practice interrupted. Riders must return to the pits.

GREEN FLAG

The track is clear.

Waved - race or practice session is over.

Riders whose number is shown with the flag must stop at the pits on the next lap.

Deterioration of adhesion to the track.

WHITE FLAG

Waved – slow moving intervention vehicle on track

“You buy it, you get on it, you ride it” Josh Green, enduro racer

ALL NEW 2021 WR450F OUT NOW!

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2021 ASBK Round 4 mi-Bike Motorcycle Insurance Australian Superbike Championship presented by Motul

Articles inside

Alpinestars Superbike Championship

Getting a grip on the ASBK Tyre War

ASBK Ready to Rumble in the Valley

Return of the Privateer

Track Information

ASBK 2021 Calendar

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