Sydney Motorsport Park is a favourite of Team Suzuki’s Wayne Maxwell. Image: Andrew Gosling/TBG Sport.

Team Suzuki’s Wayne Maxwell has welcomed the return of Eastern Creek to the Australian Superbike Championship schedule after setting the pace during official testing on Thursday.

Maxwell smashed the lap record with a best lap of 1m30.2 in cool conditions on the 3.93-kilometre GP Circuit, now operating as Sydney Motorsport Park.

The facility is a favourite of the experienced 30-year-old’s, boasting over a decade of experience at the venue since his Superbike debut in 2001.

“The last time we raced here was 2009 and I’m now on the team that won here that day,” Maxwell told CycleOnline.com.au. “We’ve got good data to compare.

“To come back here, to the track that I cut my teeth when I first turned Senior on my RGV250, is really good. A lot of my fans will be here from Wollongong.”

And with Sydney Motorsport Park extending the track with the addition of the 4.5-kilometre Brabham Circuit since the ASBK’s most recent appearance in 2009, Maxwell’s preference is to compete on the traditional GP Circuit come the race weekend on 1-4 August.

“I haven’t actually ridden the extended circuit, but I think the GP Circuit is the best for Superbikes,” he continued. “We need to make this round a winner for the sport in NSW and I can’t wait to get back here.”

Last time the ASBK visited Sydney Motorsport Park in 2009, Maxwell finished third overall with 4-2 finishes.