The Australian Superbike Championship’s (ASBK) popular 2+4 events alongside the V8 Supercars provide the sport with a significant and measurable boost each time they are held. Bringing together two separate yet similar interests and merging their fan base means a broader level of exposure – especially for the two-wheel fraternity.

Today CycleOnline takes a look at the Top 10 reasons why the 2+4 events work, a great many of which are mentioned when speaking with both riders and their teams.

2+4 events allow the riders to meet a wider fan base. Image: Andrew Gosling/TBG Sport.

Bigger crowds: A more widespread and established following naturally means more people trackside. V8 Supercar events that have hosted 2+4 meetings attract crowds in their tens of thousands, whereas typical ASBK rounds are much smaller. V8 Supercars’ marquee events attract up to 200,000, and while that number is not directly relevant to the rounds where both cars and bikes are on track, it is easy to see the magnitude of the sport’s following.

Live television: Both Superbike races at Symmons Plains were telecast live (or as close to live as possible) as part of the Channel 7 V8 Supercar package. This equates to a much larger and much more varied viewing audience. Saturday’s race opened the telecast, whereas Sunday’s race was placed in a prime viewer position between the two V8 Supercar races. Previous ASBK seasons have been telecast on subscription-based channels, meaning some viewers simply haven’t had access to this level of free-to-air coverage before. The awesome slow-motion footage of the Superbikes through the first complex of corners only added to the quality of the broadcast.

More exposure for bike brands and sponsors: Motorsport is about men and their machines. In V8 Supercars, the traditional Holden versus Ford battle has been the focus for the modern era. Introducing bikes onto the stage also brings with it the question of preference. Are you a Suzuki man? Do you prefer Honda? Or what about those new BMWs? 2+4 meets stimulate that level of interest and involve discussion which can only be favourable for the distributors. Sponsors receive the flow-on benefits, too. With plenty of enthusiasts roaming the pits or pointing semi-professional cameras and lenses onto the track, the visibility is naturally increased.

Sharing the track with the world’s leading touring car championship cannot be a bad thing. Image: Andrew Gosling/TBG Sport.

Rider profiling: 2+4 events heighten the profile of riders through on-track and broadcast activity. Promotional events allow the fans to find out who is actually underneath the helmet, and many would be surprised to to find just how down-to-earth and approachable the ASBK riders (and their teams) are. For many motorsport fans, motorcycling’s household names are Stoner and Bayliss. These events give a greater insight into the sport and let people find out more about the men who compete in one of the world’s strongest domestic series.

Mainstream media pickup: As well as the aforementioned benefits of live television, there is a much larger contingent of on-ground media covering V8 Supercar events. Industry and mainstream publications and programs are capably represented at the 2+4 rounds, and amongst a plethora of four-wheel updates, some news on the two-wheel activity is often refreshing. The more familiar media become with the ASBK paddocks’ faces, the greater the opportunity for coverage.

Exposure to V8 Supercar sponsors: Sponsorship deals with the top V8 Supercar teams are worth top dollar. Along with naming-rights sponsors, teams are backed by a multitude of brands at varying levels, all with an obvious interest in motorsport – if they didn’t like racing, they wouldn’t be here, right? Being part of an event with the V8 Supercars can spark the interest of potential sponsors, and show them just how exciting Superbike racing is. While I’m not privy to any dollar figures, the outlay for sponsoring a V8 Supercar team would be far greater than a Superbike. There are plenty of commercial opportunities within the paddock, and this IS the time and the place to explore them.

Typical V8 Supercar events attract fans in their tens of thousands, making sponsor and bike brand investment all the more worthwhile. Image: Andrew Gosling/TBG Sport.

Fan crossover: V8 Supercar fans are tribal. That’s a tag-line I recall from a sponsorship prop I worked on once, and it really is no exaggeration. From standing in queues for hours for an autograph, to outlaying a week’s wages on a wardrobe full of merchandise, there is simply no questioning their staunch support. So what if the fans who line up to see Craig Lowndes, also wanted to come and see Wayne Maxwell? They’re both guys with big, bold personalities. Why should this be any different? While the ASBK isn’t at that level of following yet, there certainly is the potential to steadily build a fan base. These events are a rare chance to capitalise and create opportunity – the ASBK as a whole should use them wisely.

Rider and driver interaction: Many of the ASBK riders and V8 Supercar drivers are mates. They live in close proximity, train together and follow one another’s results closely. This generates a natural level of interest from the spectator. Lowndes is rarely absent from the pit wall when the Superbikes are racing by, while Maxwell’s instagram exploits tell us he is on every second day finishing up a morning cycle having a coffee with Will Davison. This mutual respect between two and four-wheel athletes is a great way to create further hype.

Momentum from round-to-round: So when are the Superbikes on next? Will they be back next year? Where can I watch more Superbike racing on television? These were common enquiries from motorsport fans, particularly through the ASBK social channels, during my involvement. These are opportunities that must be harnessed. A level of continuity in the number of 2+4 events must be established.

Highlighting the professionalism of teams: ASBK teams are a proud bunch, and that is reflected in the immaculate presentation of their bikes and pit setup. In V8 Supercars, image is a huge factor that must be considered. The livery and look of a car can greatly influence a level of following. The 2+4 events allow the ASBK teams to show off their bikes, along with their overall ‘look and feel’. The standard of presentation and pride shown in Australia really does rival the world’s best on a relative scale. Playing on this visual feast will only increase the series’ overall appeal.