As details of the new structure for the 2015 Australian Superbike Championship continue to emerge, CycleOnline.com.au answers a handful of pertinent questions.

Image: Andrew Gosling.

Q: Who will the championship be run by?

A: Motorcycling Australia will oversee the series as it has always done, but the onus of running individual rounds will now be placed upon the respective state controlling bodies and the clubs associated with the host tracks. Need an example? Round three at Barbagallo Raceway in Western Australia will be run by the Motorcycle Racing Club of WA in conjunction with state body Motorcycling WA.

Q: How successful can a club-run competition be?

A: Sure, it’s a different direction for the series as opposed to previous seasons but there’s definite potential in this format. A few years back MA went through something of a similar transition with the Australian Off-Road Championship, which had been run by a private promoter for several years before being handed back to the controlling body. MA engaged interested and capable clubs from each region and the series has run under this guise since. Of utmost importance is the setting of an agenda – rules, regulations, protocols, etc – from the top level and ensuring they flow consistently from round to round. Each of the tracks and clubs engaged has proven themselves more than capable of running successful events and they do so on a very regular basis.

Q: Can the championship prosper without a private promoter?

A: It can, but it won’t happen overnight. Again, it’s not something we’re used to but there is no reason why careful planning and future-proofing can’t see the series flourish. Expect a slightly leaner model, focused on competitors, clubs and the consistency of events. The standard of external presentation set by previous promoter International Entertainment Group may be hard to match, as this is an area they always excelled at and probably even rivalled the top domestic championships in. The overall sponsorship strategy is another major component – inside-industry sponsorship will need to be leveraged adequately, while outside-industry partnerships, again an area that IEG excelled in, could be harder to come by.

Q: How many rounds will be raced and which tracks are featured?

A: The series will be held over five rounds, beginning at the World Superbikes at Phillip Island in February. It will then travel to Queensland’s Morgan Park on 10-12 April, Western Australia’s Barbagallo Raceway on 29-31 May, Tasmania’s Symmons Plains Raceway on 11-13 September and back to Phillip Island for the finale on 2-4 October.

Q: What are the advantages and disadvantages of racing for points at the Phillip Island World Superbike season opener?

A: The advantages are obvious – proven crowds, international fan and media presence and of course, a world-class track prepped to world-class standards. Racing for points straight out of the box means riders and teams have to step up, and fast. There’s no second chances if you’re not prepared for this, and with a five-round calendar, every race is crucial. That same point, however, underlines the primary disadvantage – cross-entering as a World Superbike wildcard and racing in the Aussie series is not permitted. The current accessibility of WSBK rules makes preparing a competitive bike to race in the premier class a cheaper and much more viable option than its ever been, but that will come at the expense of a points-paying opportunity in the domestic Superbike or Supersport class. We’re already aware of a couple of riders that this will directly affect, and that’s a shame, because they are both legitimate title contenders in their respective divisions.

Q: Why include Morgan Park instead of Queensland Raceway?

A: The decision to choose Morgan Park instead of the series’ traditional Queensland-based circuit in Ipswich raised a few eyebrows but when you break down the facts, it’s not a difficult one. As the major circuit in South-East Queensland, Queensland Raceway is in high demand. The demand isn’t necessarily coming from a racing perspective either – the majority of its bookings are filled with training, ride days, private hirings, testing, club meetings, and the like. Even the V8 Supercar series faces a constant battle to lock in its dates. Even though MA and Motorcycling QLD have run events there in the past, there is no dedicated club-based competition taking place. Availability is a big factor. Morgan Park, on the other hand, comes under the capable banner of the Motorcycle Sportsmen of Queensland club, and has the runs on the board with the Southern Downs series which has been running successfully for many seasons. Flexibility is key, and a successful club-run operation further reenforces this decision. Many would like to think politics played a part in the ultimate decision to choose once circuit over another. There’s no point speculating. Morgan Park meets the criteria and should do a decent job.

Image: Andrew Gosling.

Q: Which teams and riders are confirmed to contest the championship?

A: Team Honda are the main outfit to have signalled its intentions that it will return to the MA-run series for 2015. This has been the team’s position from the outset and the championship should benefit from their returning presence as long as it happens. Any other superbike team or rider interest is still largely uncertain, however if Glenn Allerton is still part of Next Gen, don’t count out them defending the number one plate again. Phillip Island race winner Jed Metcher could be back in the mix in superbike and Daniel Falzon’s team will be there too, as indicated some time ago. There’s quite a few blanks still to fill in at this stage.

Q: What are the technical regulations that will underpin the Superbike class?

A: At this stage we’re yet to hear. One thing we do know is that MA have employed the services of long-time road racing crew chief Peter Doyle, who has extensive experience in overseas series. Doyle has been at the helm for some time now as the body’s technical officer so there is a level of confidence there that he will establish a rule set that is both viable and compatible with other offerings. The key to attracting competitors will be to ensure specifications between the ASBK and rival ASC series are as close as possible.

Q: What kind of broadcast package can we expect?

A: Again, this isn’t certain and may come to light in the next round of info that MA releases. It’s easy to forget how involved and ultimately, expensive, putting together a broadcast package can be. Sourcing a broadcast company, sorting logistics, staff and travel is just the start. Then comes the actual production and post production plus the associated costs of going to air. The benchmark right now is the ASC, and that will be hard for anyone to beat. The ASC presents a consistent, polished product, and importantly, has managed to tie in live streaming with its offering. If the ASBK is able to offer post-produced highlights shows covering the premier classes in its first year under this new structure then that would be a goal kicked.

Q: What should MA and its organising committee hope to achieve in the first season of the new championship?

A: Confidence from competitors, consistency from club to club, a stable ruleset and some momentum for the following year. No need to over-complicate this. Small but measured steps forward are the key. MA has stated that this will be a “rebuilding” year and we do have to remember that. If year one proves promising, the door will be opened to further growth, and the possibility of involvement from further states and clubs will be heightened.

Q: Can the ASBK and ASC co-exist at a healthy level?

A: There’s no reason why not. The first and most obvious consideration is dates – if there are no clashes then it should be theoretically possible for Aussie riders to contest both. The next is motorcycle specification – if the rules are the same or similar, costs will be reduced. The deciding factor really is down to the riders and teams and the votes they cast with their feet.