Riders Ready to go into Overdrive for Official ASBK Test at Phillip Island

The wait is almost over for the Yamaha Motor Finance Australian Superbike Championship presented by Motul Pirelli (ASBK) paddock to ignite once again for the Official ASBK Test at Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit, January 30-31. With plenty of the riders having changed teams and manufacturers for 2018, the next two days will determine who is on the pre-season pace ahead of Round 1 alongside WorldSBK, February 22-25.

For 2018, the Pre-Season ASBK Official Test has been expanded to two days and provides a pivotal opportunity for the riders and teams to prepare themselves for Round 1 alongside the WorldSBK Championship Australian Round. After last year’s thrilling championship title fight in the YMI Superbike Class, anticipation is at an all-time high for the racing to kick-off in earnest. Each test day will include eight hours of on-track action.

There are plenty of stories to hold the interest of ASBK fans throughout all classes. Three-time WorldSBK Champion, Troy Bayliss will throw a leg over his Ducati Panigale and look to feature towards the top of the timesheets, after coming out of retirement.

The Official ASBK Test will be the first opportunity to see riders in new colours. From young gun, Daniel Falzon making his debut with the Yamaha Racing Team, to three-time ASBK champion, Glenn Allerton swapping to NextGen Motorsports, Bryan Staring saddling up with Kawasaki BCperformance and Mark Chiodo making jump to YMI Superbike Class with Team Suzuki ECSTAR, there are so many stories to follow!

A vast pool of riders from multiple classes will take to the track, attempting to post quick lap times, make crucial setup changes, test brand new parts and run race simulations before the ASBK roars to life in Round 1.

ASBK’s elite riders from the YMI Superbike, Supersport, Supersport 300 and YMF R3 Cup will be in attendance at the test. The major factory teams and top riders will take to the track to gain as much knowledge as possible on the track.

With the start of the 2018 ASBK Championship approaching quickly, its time to make a statement before Round 1. Stay tuned to all the breaking news from the Official ASBK Test on all media channels.

Fans will be able to catch all the lap by lap activity on the Official ASBK Test Live Timing which can be accessed on ASBK website, via the live timing tab throughout the two days, providing the breakdown as to who is on the pace!

Stay up to date with all the latest news and updates from the ASBK by liking ASBK on Facebook, following the @asbk on Instagram and checking out the ASBK website here.

-ENDS-

Photo 1 – Ted Collins at Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit – Russell Colvin
Photo 2 – Wayne Maxwell at Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit 2017 – Andrew Gosling tbg photography
Photo 3 – Josh Waters’s Suzuki GSX-R1000R in the pits – Andrew Gosling tbg photography
Photo 4 – YMI Superbike Podium – Andrew Gosling tbg photography

2018 ASBK Calendar
Pre-Season Official ASBK Test – Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit, VIC January 30 – 31
Round 1- WSBK, Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit VIC                            February 22 – 25
Round 2- Wakefield Park Raceway, Goulburn NSW                             March 16 – 18
Round 3- The Bend Motorsport Park, Tailem Bend, SA                        April 19 – 22
Round 4- Hidden Valley Raceway, Darwin NT                                      June 28 – 1 July
Round 5- Morgan Park Raceway, Warwick QLD                                   August 17 – 19
Round 6- Winton Motor Raceway, Benalla, VIC                                   September 7 – 8
Round 7- Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit, VIC                                  October 12 – 14