Josh Waters Hoping To Create ASBK History At 2020 Grand Finale This Weekend
3-times ASBK Champion Josh Waters hopes to make history this Sunday by winning a record 4th ASBK Championship title, at the Grand Finale of the mi-bike Motorcycle Insurance Australian Superbike Championship, presented by Motul, at Wakefield Park Raceway, Goulburn, NSW.
Crowned ASBK Champion in 2009, 2012 and 2017, Waters aboard his Ngurra Civil and Construction, AdTech Electrical, Elevare Consultants, Visit Mildura Suzuki, had a spectacular round 1 at Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit after scoring two 3rds and a 4th to finish 3rd overall for the weekend.
Last year Waters had two top 6 finishes at Wakefield Park Raceway and is no stranger to high pressure Championship deciding weekends and is looking forward to the challenge ahead.
“It’s been the longest I have ever been off the bike, so it’s good to be back on it,” Waters said.
“My aim is to win and to be a 4-time ASBK champion which no one has achieved yet.
“Being in the position we are in, doing it all ourselves and working on my own bike, it would be very special for everyone involved to win a 4th ASBK Championship.
“It will take four good results, and maybe a little bit of bad luck for others, not that I want that for them.
“All I can do is concentrate on what I can do on track.”
Waters said with a COVID-19 interrupted season and the Championship on the line, riders would have to be smart on how they approach the weekend.
“We’ve all been off the bike for a long time, and with the double header I’m going to try and play it smart.
“If you look at other Championships that have had breaks there has been a lot of stuff go on track, so I think ASBK could be the same.”
Waters said with the double header weekend at Wakefield Park Raceway, it will take a physical and mental toll on riders.
“This is physical little circuit, and it will be the same for everyone so there is no point whinging.
“I will just worry about myself and get the best out of the small team and package we have.
“It’s been a tough year with COVID-19 but I’ve got some good people in my team. My brother is running the ship and he has been with me ever since I came back from Europe and a number of small businesses supporting me as well.”
Waters is well aware the competition will be fierce with any number of riders in the Kawasaki Superbike class in the Championship chase.
“The top 9 guys are all extremely strong whether it’s Wayne Maxwell, Troy Herfoss, Cru Halliday and his team-mate Aiden Wagner, Mike Jones who is the Champion, Bryan Staring, you can’t count anyone out and anything can happen.”
Government restrictions mean fans won’t be in attendance at Wakefield Park Raceway for the Grand Finale, and Waters said he will miss the fan interaction.
“We are fortunate that everyone can feel they are still there with the great ASBK TV package we have behind us, but yes, it is going to be weird not having any fans there.”
Waters is also well advanced on plans for 2021 and will have further announcements in the coming days and weeks.
Each of the five Championships – Oceania Junior Cup, YMF R3 Cup, YMI Supersport 300, Motorsports TV Supersport and Kawasaki Superbike class – will be decided at the Grand Finale.
Race fans can catch all the drama and action from the 2020 ASBK Grand Finale at Wakefield Park Raceway, December 3-6, live via ASBK live streaming, and through ASBK TV partners SBSHD, Fox Sports Australia and Fox Sports Asia on both Saturday and Sunday.
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 Facebookand Instagram.
Action and podium pictures by Russell Colvin
Media Contact:
Adam Olive
Media Manager
Motorcycling Australia
M: 0438 297 514
E: mediapr@ma.org.au
