There are a lot of interesting topics we see on CycleOnline from day to day, not least the ongoing saga of whether Australian Superbike racing should be more standardised. It’s a question that’s been raised for at least five years, but for the most part we’ve seen the regulations remain stagnant.

Team Suzuki principle Phil Tainton is also the chairman of the Motorcycling Australian Road Race Commission, so it’s essentially he and the board who decide the final rule set. As far as he’s concerned, the current regulations are a good fit in regards to parity.

It’s a controversial subject and one with no real straightforward answers. Grid sizes aren’t huge in the current format as a reasonable amount of modifications have to be made if you’re to be competitive, which leads to an expensive exercise if you’re to run up front in the premier class.

But in Tainton’s defence, he is adamant that certain brands would dominate if the rules were standardised. Would the BMW run away with it if we were to see Superstock-type regulations adopted? Could Suzuki and Honda’s factory teams challenge the Next Gen team in that situation? To be honest, we don’t know and won’t know unless it’s tested.

If you look at the FX-Superbike series, Yamaha has won the title every year since 2010 and remain the dominant force despite a number of capable challengers on bikes that are regarded as superior in production trim. Plus, whenever Glenn Allerton and the Next Gen team have shown up, Yamaha has put up a decent fight.

We could go around in circles writing about this subject for as long as we like, but the fact is that whatever MA opts to set in stone, we have to support it and do our best to help the sport evolve. If you’re to read into Tainton’s comments, nothing will change in 2014 or anytime soon.

How would standardised rules change the make-up of the Australian Superbike Championship? Image: Andrew Gosling/TBG Sport.

The interesting thing is that International Entertainment Group managing director Yarrive Konsky previously said in an interview here that he will quit the series if the regulations aren’t revised.

“I have disagreed with them for three years,” Konsky commented back in April. “Moving forward we will be involved in the direction the rules and sport takes. We are, after all, responsible for the sport so we need to take a stance and make changes to improve its accessibility.

“Irrespective of what they do, we will. If we don’t you will see a new promoter. We don’t have the population to sustain the current situation. Three manufacturers don’t race in the championship, another has cut back its support with only one or maybe two riders competing for their factory team. I don’t understand what more is required to appreciate and accept we require change.”

Another thing that MA and IEG need to keep in mind here is what changes will take place in World Superbike for 2014 and beyond. Now run by Dorna, it’s almost certain that the series will scale back its rules next year in an attempt to reduce costs. There could be a price cap enforced, however nothing is yet confirmed. Chances are we’ll see more standardised rules than ever before.

That’s it from me for now, here’s Toby…

Results on a piece of paper can often be misconstrued. This is all too often the case in motorcycle racing. Every racer has a story. An objective. An overriding goal. And while every racer wants to win, it’s not always possible nor is it realistic.

Bryan Staring digs into the data with his crew chief.

I’ve just had the privilege of a good chat with Australia’s sole MotoGP entrant for 2013, Bryan Staring. I’ve known Bryan for a number of years, going back to his days as Jardine Honda’s Supersport rider. While his status in this sport has elevated, he remains the same down-to-earth person he has always been.

And his story is one that rings true. Success on his side isn’t necessarily about the final result. He finished the race at Mugello but said it was probably his worst weekend so far – below the two DNFs. He measures success on his progress through practice and the consistency of his lap times. The end result, he concedes, is something he has little control over.

Once the race is underway, he pointed out, the pace is close to identical amongst his fellow CRT runners. If he can meet his target lap times then it’s a job well done. For a man who is charged with the task of developing the team’s sole CRT bike, he’s doing an amazing job.

He heads to most circuits sight unseen, and is plunged into Friday practice – often at the mercy of the weather – where he must come up to speed quickly. It’s a huge responsibility, and he accepts that. You’re doing a top job, mate. We’re all behind you.

His progression to MotoGP also serves to illustrate the strength of the Australian racing scene. Let’s not forget this is Bryan’s first year in the MotoGP world championship paddock. Many of the riders he’s up against have been there for 10 or 15 years. For him to land such a seat, and be given such a role within the team, is a real coup.

There are typical paths to the top but none are set in stone. For the most part it is hard work and perseverance that pays off, and Australia is well and truly holding its own in that regard.