Darwin ASBK Preview + Digital Program Released
The Yamaha Motor Finance Australian Superbike Championship presented by Motul Pirelli (ASBK) is ready to ignite Darwin this weekend at Hidden Valley Raceway! The track itself is always one of the rider’s favorites on the calendar and the racing should be exhilarating. Here is what to look out for at the ‘Top End’. ASBK is also pleased to announce the arrival of the Round 4 Program which can be viewed at asbk.com.au.
ASBK live coverage has gone to the next level in 2018 with arguably the best racing in Australia and its set to be broadcast right to fan’s screens on Sunday for those who can’t make it to the race track. Don’t forget to tune-in to channel SBS at 1:00 PM AEST and Fox Sports at 12:30 PM AEST. Hardcore fans can tune in all day with ASBK Livestream on the website.
Hidden Valley Raceway is one of the fastest tracks in the country with a 1.1 kilometer straight that often encourages close racing. With significant slipstreaming opportunities, this often closes up the pack. The track has 14 turns and the race lap record belongs to Josh Waters (Team Suzuki ECSTAR, GSX-R1000R).
Speaking of Waters, he’s absolutely dominant at this track with two wins there last year. The only blemish on his perfect weekend there was missing out on pole position to Daniel Falzon (Yamaha Racing Team, YZF-R1). A return to Darwin might be just what Waters needs to turn his title defense around, 42 points behind leader Troy Herfoss (Penrite Honda, CBR1000SP).
There are plenty of contenders that are still in with a shot of the title, expect riders such as Wayne Maxwell (Yamaha Racing Team, YZF-R1), Falzon, Waters, Troy Bayliss (Desmosport Ducati, 1299 Panigale FE) and Bryan Staring (Kawasaki BCperformance) to contend up front with the Championship leader. Perhaps Glenn Allerton (NextGen Motorsports, BMW S1000RR) can make a play for the podium, after an injury affected first half of the season.
The Kawasaki Supersport class appears to be heading towards another great battle between Tom Toparis (Cube Racing, ZX-6R) and Cru Halliday (Yamaha Racing Team, YZF-R6). Young Tom Bramich (YRT, YZF-R3) continues to impress in the Australian Supersport 300 class with the championship lead.
Another interesting story will be the return of Glenn Scott (GSR Kawasaki, ZX-10R) from overseas competition. The former World Supersport rider had to sit out the first half of this year’s season due to a medical procedure. Scott put in some great performances as a privateer in the past, so it will be interesting to see how he fairs. Lachlan Epis (ResponseRE, Kawasaki ZX-10R) will also make his return to the championship, contesting in two classes.
The Darwin heat is always a hot topic at this track with many of the riders coming from cold conditions during the Australian winter. Riders have been training hard during the mid-season break to be in peak condition for this race in which athletes rise to the fore. It’s not uncommon to see riders in ice baths during this race meet.
From the Dave McKenna Yamaha MT-09 Stunt Show, the ASBK Trade Alley, the massive race trucks, and the bLU cRU Mini Moto Experience which is free for kids to try, it will be a weekend to remember!
ASBK is pleased to announce the arrival of the digitalised Official ASBK Round 4 Program.
The program can be found on the website ASBK.COM.AU.
Public access to the digital ASBK Program will feature many interesting and informative sections including; rider entry lists, race schedules, previous round wrap ups, championship points standings, track information, biographies, getting started in racing information, partnership information, race pictures and so much more.
Grab your tickets for Round 4 here and if you can’t make it to Darwin, don’t forget you can catch all the action live on SBS, Fox Sports and via the ASBK livestream at asbk.com.auand on ASBK’s Facebook.
2018 ASBK Calendar
Round 4- Hidden Valley Raceway, Darwin NT June 29 – 1 July
Round 5- Morgan Park Raceway, Warwick QLD August 17 – 19
Round 6- Winton Motor Raceway, Benalla, VIC September 7 – 9
Round 7- Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit, VIC October 12 – 14
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Photos courtesy of Andrew Gosling tbg sport
