A weekend of intense battles, fierce rivalry and explosive action is expected when the final round of the 2013 QBE Australian Superbike Championship converges on Phillip Island International Raceway on October 5-6.
Team Suzuki rider Wayne Maxwell holds a commanding 31 point lead in the Superbike class, ahead of Team Volvo Suzuki’s Robbie Bugden and NextGen Motorsports Glenn Allerton, who is a further four points adrift.
Maxwell, who is aiming for his maiden Superbike crown after nine years in the premier class, said he felt everything had fallen into place in his move to Suzuki.
“I have been racing the Superbike class for nine years and finished runner-up quite a few times, so it is definitely time for me to take the title,” Maxwell explained.
“I guess I needed everything to align and fall into place and Suzuki has given me that chance. It is far from a done deal, with two races still to go this weekend. We will do what we did in Darwin and take it lap-by-lap and session-by-session.
“Phillip Island has been both cruel and kind to me over the years, and now I live in Melbourne it has become my home track so I am looking forward to racing in front of friends and family this weekend,” he added.
In the Motul Supersport class South Australia’s Daniel Falzon holds a 20-point advantage over fellow Yamaha rider Aaron Morris but it could still go either way.
Morris was the dominant force at Round 4 and 5 of the championship, winning all four races across the weekend. Falzon returned serve at Round 6 in Darwin and took a clean sweep of the Supersport proceedings.
“I am feeling reasonably confident going in with a 20 point advantage but I know it wont be easy, an off in either race could see me lose the championship” Falzon explained.
“Phillip Island is a special tack for me, I won my first ever national race there. It is also where I won the opening round of the Supersport championship this year.
“Aaron (Morris) is the one I have to keep my eye, he won both rounds in Sydney but Phillip Island is pretty much an even playing field for all of us. There should be some really close racing over the weekend,” Falzon continued.
While Matt Walters wrapped up the Honda Australian Prostock championship in Darwin claiming his sixth consecutive round victory the battle for second and third rages with just eight points separating NextGen Motorsports Ben Nicolson and Kawasaki rider Dustin Goldsmith.
This weekend’s event will also showcase a range of off-track entertainment initiatives.
Created specifically for kids and parents considering taking up the sport, aspiring youngsters can test out their first motorcycle under expert guidance. Over the course of the weekend superbike competitors such as Team Honda’s Jamie Stauffer and Team Suzuki’s Wayne Maxwell will visit the arena to offer coaching advice.
Tickets are available at the gate.
*Images courtesy of Keith Muir
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