The Bend Motorsport Park to be put through its Paces with the Official ASBK Test

Next week’s Official ASBK Test at The Bend Motorsport Park could be the most anticipated shakedown of all time. The brand-new track will have its first proper scrub in when the Yamaha Motor Finance Australian Superbike Championship presented by Motul Pirelli (ASBK) rolls into Tailem Bend. It will be critical for the riders to adapt to the track as quickly as possible over the two-day test (April 3-4).

There have been few tracks in Australia to have as much hype about its debut than The Bend Motorsport Park. There’s no doubt that this is a world class facility that will deliver an exhilarating experience for rider’s and spectators. The Bend has a number of different configurations, but it is the 4.95km International Circuit that ASBK will test and race on. This will mark ASBK’s first visit to South Australia since 2009.

Testing is as important as it’s ever been, with the riders and teams needing to find a working base setup to take into Round 3. As a new track, there are plenty of unknowns for the riders. They will need to experiment to find the best racing line, appropriate gearing and identify the best spots to pull off overtakes come race weekend. A full on-track schedule for the test can be found here.

There will be three classes taking part in the Official ASBK Test, including YMI Superbike, Kawasaki Supersport and Australian Supersport 300. We can expect to see the vast majority of big names and teams taking part. For an entry list of the Official Test, click here.

The title chase is in an interesting spot at the moment as Troy Herfoss (Penrite Honda, CBR1000SP) now leads the championship, ahead of Josh Waters (Team Suzuki ECSTAR, GSX-R1000) and Wayne Maxwell (Yamaha Racing Team, YZF-R1). Returning legend Troy Bayliss (Desmosport Ducati, 1299 Panigale FE) lies in fourth and will be looking to grab a win.

This will all offer a preview to the massive ASBK and FIM Asia Road Racing Championship (ARRC) round to take place (April 19 -22). For the very first time the two championships will join forces for an epic four days of action from Thursday to Sunday. Fans are certainly going to get their money’s worth, as they get to witness several of the best riders that Australia and Asia have to offer.

Fans that wish to catch all the action at The Bend Motorsport Park for the ASBK and ARRC double header can purchase tickets here.

2018 ASBK Calendar
Official ASBK Test, The Bend Motorsport Park, Tailem Bend, SA       April 3-4
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 – 9
Round 7- Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit, VIC                                  October 12 – 14

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Photo credit: Andrew Gosling tbg photography