The Hidden Valley round of the Australian Superbike Championship has moved from early April to mid-September, but that won’t change the conditions, which are set to be, as always, scorching hot and humid.

The event marks the penultimate round of the championship, so it’s super important for the riders who intend to challenge Wayne Maxwell for the title.

Team Suzuki’s Maxwell took a perfect point score from the Sydney double-header, elevating himself into the lead and 24 points clear of early form runner, Next Gen Motorsport’s Glenn Allerton, who bagged mixed results.

By virtue of a strong round, Robbie Bugden has also bought into this battle, and sits equal with fierce rival Allerton heading into the series’ sixth round.

Maxwell has never won in the Northern Territory, and in fact, it has been a track where he hasn’t had too much luck at all. Can he turn that around and build on his lead, or will Allerton and Bugden eat into his advantage?

There will be a concerted challenge from Team Honda Racing, with Jamie Stauffer and Josh Hook both contenders for race wins. It’s been a tough season for Stauffer, and a solid one for Hook, and both riders know how important both this and the final round are for the team.

Outside of the top five come a tight bunch of privateer pilots, currently led by rookie Glenn Scott. It’s his first time on a 1000cc machine in Darwin, so the task will be different – can any of the more experienced Superbikers step up and wrestle back the class lead?

The support classes, including Supersport, will offer plenty of excitement. There is little separating the top 10 in the Supersport field, and a race win could go the way of any number of determined riders. That will be an exciting battle to watch.

This weekend the ASBK shares the billing with the first two rounds of the Australian Supercross Championship, a novel new concept that will surely result in more fans trackside. It’s shaping up to be a thriller in the Top End, and, as always, a hot one!

Hidden Valley is gearing up for a huge weekend of competition for the ASBK’s penultimate round. Image: Andrew Gosling/TBG Sport.

Circuit Location:

Tiger Brennan Drive, Hidden Valley.

Circuit Facts:

Length: 2.87 kilometres
Turns: 14
Lap record: 1m07.385, Josh Waters  (Suzuki)

Rider List:

6. Robert BUGDEN (Team Volvo Group Suzuki GSX-R1000)
14. Glenn ALLERTON (Next Gen Motorsports BMW HP4)
18. Ben HENRY (Cube Racing Team Suzuki GSX-R1000)
19. Phil LOVETT (Kawasaki ZX-10R)
27. Jamie STAUFFER (Team Honda Racing CBR1000RR)
34. Josh HOOK (Team Honda Racing CBR1000RR)
38. Linden MAGEE (Next Gen Motorsports BMW HP4)
47. Wayne MAXWELL (Team Suzuki GSX-R1000)
68. Glenn SCOTT (InsureMyRide Racing CBR1000RR)
86. Beau BEATON (Racers Edge Performance Suzuki GSX-R1000)
96. Chris McMILLAN (Yamaha YZF-R1)

Event Schedule:

Current Standings:

Superbike Standings (after five of seven rounds):

1. Wayne MAXWELL 180
2. Glenn ALLERTON 156
3. Robert BUGDEN 156
4. Jamie STAUFFER 135
5. Josh HOOK 133
6. Glenn SCOTT 119
7. Linden MAGEE 99
8. Beau BEATON 99
9. Phil LOVETT 79
10. Sloan FROST 71

Supersport Standings (after three of six rounds):

1. Daniel FALZON 158
2. Aaron MORRIS 149
3. Michael BLAIR 135
4. Chris QUINN 130
5. Aiden WAGNER 112
6. Callum SPRIGGS 112
7. Ryan TAYLOR 109
8. Aaron GOBERT 91
9. Kyle BUCKLEY 86
10. Michael LOCKART 80

Event Entry:

Friday: Free entry

Saturday Thriller Pass (Adult 14 and over): $20
Saturday Superkid Pass (8-13 years): $10
Children 7 years and under: Free*

Sunday Thriller Pass (Adult 14 and over): $20
Sunday Superkid Pass (8-13 years): $10
Children 7 years and under: Free*

*Children 7 years and under admitted free to Hidden Valley when accompanied by a full paying adult.
* No concessions applicable for this event.

Note: Ticket prices are all inclusive of both Superbike and Supercross events.

Social Networking Updates:

Follow CycleOnline on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for live updates from the event.

2013 Series Calendar:

Rd1 – 22-24 February – Phillip Island, VIC (non-championship for SBK)
Rd2 – 5-7 April – Symmons Plains, TAS
Rd3 – 14-16 June – QLD Raceway, QLD
Rd4 & 5 – 1-4 August – Sydney Motorsport Park, NSW
Rd6 – 12-15 September – Hidden Valley Raceway, NT
Rd7 – 5-6 October, Phillip Island, VIC