The Superbike field will grid up in September as opposed to the usual April event scheduling. Image: Andrew Gosling/TBG Sport.

The Australian Superbike Championship (ASBK) title protagonists are set to test their mettle against the Top End’s searing heat and a challenging track layout at the series’ penultimate round at Hidden Valley this weekend.

The event will crown just its second-ever Superbike round winner, having been dominated by Josh Waters in the three years since its inception in 2010.

With Waters heading abroad in 2013, a handful of riders are raising their hand as potential round winners.

The season’s early form-runner, Next Gen Motorsports’ Glenn Allerton, is prepared for the humid conditions and predicted 33-degree temperatures that await riders in Darwin.

“I have been doing a lot of extra work with my trainer to prepare for the Darwin heat as it will be hotter than what we are used to racing in April,” said Allerton.

“This is my favourite Australian event, I love the layout and the challenge of the track. I won a race here in 2011 but I haven’t had a round win yet.”

Current points leader, Team Suzuki’s Wayne Maxwell is also in the frame as a favourite. Maxwell has had mixed levels of success at the track, and never registered a race win, a statistic he is keen to change come Sunday.

“The conditions are hugely tough,” said Maxwell. “It’s humid, it’s hot, and it’s a very challenging race track.

“Add to that I’ve never won at Darwin, so there’s some extra motivation. I’m really looking forward to getting up there and racing.”

Though the event has moved from April to September, there is unlikely to be any reprieve from the sweltering conditions.

Current forecasts suggest riders will enjoy two clear days of weather conditions, before a series of rain showers could cross the region on Sunday afternoon.