Kevin Curtain takes a 9-point lead of the FX-Superbike class to Queensland Raceway. Image: Keith Muir.

101 competitors will take to the track to contest round four of the Australian FX-Superbike Championship at Ipswich’s Queensland Raceway this weekend.

The series re-ignites after a lengthy break since the Wakefield Park round in early May, with the event marking the start of the second-half of the six round season.

Just 13 points separate a trio of factory Yamaha R1 racers at the head of the FX-Superbike field.

Veteran Kevin Curtain will look to protect a nine-point buffer over Broc Parkes, who has only just touched down in Australia after leading the Yamaha Austria Racing Team to a hard-fought third place at the 8 Hours of Oschersleben in Germany.

Rick Olson is just two points adrift of Parkes, and also eager to make progress.

The winner of all six Prostock races at the recent Australian Superbike Championship (ASBK) double-header, Matt Walters is riding confidently aboard his Kawasaki and will aim to trouble the top three as best he can.

The entry list also sees the notable inclusion of former ASBK runner-up Dan Stauffer, aboard an Aluma-Lite Racing BMW S 1000 R, along with Chris Seaton campaigning a Aprilia Factory Racing team RSV4.

Equally as engaging will be the FX-600 battle, which is currently led by Rick Olson.

Yamaha teammate Cru Halliday is 15 points in arrears after crash-affected run in round two, and he’ll be aiming to make back the ground lost after opening his season in strong form.

Just 10 points separate positions three through six, with Justin Di Giandomenico maintaining a single-point edge over Aiden Wagner.

Michael Blair and Callum Spriggs, who were top performers at the previous ASBK round alongside Wagner, are all in close check.

A notable late inclusion to the FX-600 category is none other than Mike Jones, the 2011 Australian Superstock Champion and current campaigner in the World Superstock 600 Championship.

A local to the Ipswich region, Jones is a wildcard addition to the mix and is certain to be challenging category regulars on a track he knows like the back of his hand.

There will also be strong focus on the fiercely-contested Formula Oz ranks in which Kevin Curtain maintains a considerable points advantage over Broc Parkes.

Last time out it was the Next Gen Motorsports machine of Glenn Allerton who ruffled feathers in the field, sweeping the Wakefield round.

Allerton won’t be present this weekend, so it’s up to the regular contenders to set their sights on stopping Curtain.

CycleOnline.com.au will publish a complete Fan Guide to the Queensland Raceway event tomorrow.