Image: Andrew Gosling.

Reigning Australian Superbike (ASBK) Champion Wayne Maxwell remains in an upbeat mood despite Team Suzuki delivering the news last week that their ASBK program is in doubt for 2014.

Click here for detailed information on Suzuki’s potential exit from the ASBK series.

Maxwell, 30, secured his first career ASBK crown last year over a decade after debuting in the series, in what was his debut season with the Phil Tainton Racing-run Suzuki outfit.

However as Suzuki and other team sponsors have decreased their backing for this year despite the team winning the past two titles, Maxwell’s future is currently in limbo as the racing season quickly approaches.

The colourful Victorian-based racer has been part of factory teams for Kawasaki, Honda and Suzuki during his career, but has no firm options in place for this season as PTR scrambles to source vital additional funding.

“It’s hugely disappointing because they put faith in me and I rewarded them with a championship,” Maxwell told CycleOnline.com.au. “I hoped they would have rewarded me back with a renewed contract to continue racing, but it’s not meant to be.

“I’m sure if they could, they would, but obviously they can’t if they’re not in a position to, so we just have to suck it up, try not to get too bitter or angry about it, move on and try to come up with another option.

“Whether we can come up with money to run the existing team or if I have to move to another team, time will tell.”

With neither the Next Gen Motorsports BMW or Team Honda Racing yet to confirm their plans for the new year, the ever-confident Maxwell isn’t ruling out a future with a rival team if the opportunity arises. An international transition also isn’t out of the question.

He came close to testing for the official Yamaha Australasian Superbike Championship (ASC) squad at the end of 2012 for a potential deal last year before signing with Suzuki, however that avenue is closed for 2014 since former teammate Robbie Bugden will make up the four-rider effort alongside Kevin Curtain, Rick Olson and Cru Halliday.

“It’s fairly late and the [ASBK] championship’s not 100 percent locked in for media coverage, so it’s very difficult to source sponsors,” added Maxwell. “There are really only three seats that I know of unsigned that I’d consider riding in. I just have to wait and see.

“I have looked at World Endurance, you can get a reasonable income there and it’s overseas in an FIM championship, so that could be an option.”

The 2014 ASBK season is scheduled to commence on 5-6 April at Queensland Raceway.