Kevin Curtain is Yamaha’s multiple-time FX-Superbike series champion. Image: Keith Muir.

Yamaha Motor Australia director Steven Cotterell has weighed in on the future of Australian motorcycle road racing via a public post on CycleOnline.com.au.

Australian Road and Track Rider Promotions (ARTRP) recently confirmed it would continue hosting FX-Superbike (AFX-SBK) events separate to the Australian Superbike Championship (ASBK) after a highly publicised potential merger was declined by Motorcycling Australia (MA).

Click here for details on the future of the AFX-SBK series.

MA this week confirmed that International Entertainment Group (IEG) will continue to promote the ASBK series for a sixth consecutive season in 2014.

Click here for details on MA’s announcement on the future of the ASBK (includes Cotterell comment).

Cotterell has called for an aligned rule set across the two competing series in 2014, based upon the current Superstock-type structure that is currently adopted in the ASBK Prostock category and AFX-SBK FX-Superbikes.

“The way forward should be obvious,” wrote Cotterell. “The riders have already spoken with their entries over the last two years. Prostock and FX-Superbikes (very similar rules) represent class rules that seem to work and are most popular with riders. A few tweaks and they will be exactly the same.

“If the two classes from the two series were aligned then riders would have more potential events to ride in their own state, the public would have a better understanding of the racing and both series would attract more entries.

“To make the two series different is just an expression of unnecessary rivalry brought about by egos and pride. It is not done in consideration of betterment of the sport. To suggest that Australia should consider taking on the new overseas is ludicrous.”

Cotterell believes that the fact World Superbike and British Superbike have scaled back their regulations in recent times (WSBK for 2014 and beyond) is a concrete indicator that Australia too should reduce its current specification used in the ASBK’s premier class.

“The fact that new rules are necessary overseas sends a clear message that the industry can not afford to go racing at the level it once could,” he continued. “Now consider that this is coming from the UK where they have enormous crowds and still enjoy a level of sponsorship that we can only dream of.

“To think that we can afford to go racing at this level is not sustainable, especially for the majority of the field. Take a reality pill and work to create a level of racing that will once again be exciting.

“Under FX/Prostock rules, privateers can once again challenge the distributor teams. Forget parity – it is a recipe for infighting, accusation and rule rigging.”

Yamaha is yet to confirm whether it will contest the AFX-SBK or ASBK series in 2014. It currently fields two teams in the AFX-SBK series.

MA has announced a set of technical rules will be completed prior to 31 October 2013.