News 3 Feb 2014

ASBK champion Maxwell's 2014 ASC switch imminent

Maxwell setting up own program following Team Suzuki collapse.

Image: Russell Colvin.

Image: Russell Colvin.

Current Australian Superbike Champion Wayne Maxwell is the latest frontline rider to defect to the 2014 Australasian Superbike Championship, currently finalising manufacturer support to field his own team this season.

After Team Suzuki advised him last month that the team’s future is in doubt, 31-year-old Maxwell has moved to secure his domestic future and is currently in negotiations to launch his own operation in the ASC.

Click here for details on Maxwell’s Monster Energy Yamaha Austria Racing Team (YART) Endurance World Championship ride announced on Saturday.

“I’m not committed to anyone at this stage,” Maxwell told CycleOnline.com.au. “It seems all the major players are now out of ASBK and I’ve always said I want to race against the best riders in the country.

“If they’re all going to be at ASC then I’m going to be forced to go down that road and I’m looking forward to whatever challenge that may bring.

“It’s hugely difficult at this stage to get support, I haven’t locked in any manufacturer yet. I’ve spoken to all the manufacturers and I’m now down to a few, so I need to lock something in the next few days and move forward with the rest of the proposal.”

Maxwell’s impending switch to the ASC is another bow in the Australian Auto-Sport Alliance (AASA)-sanctioned series, which was credited Australian championship status in 2010 despite no affiliation with Motorcycling Australia – governing body of the Australian Superbike Championship (ASBK).

2011 ASBK title winners Next Gen Motorsports yesterday announced that it will transfer from ASBK to ASC this season, as will Cube Racing’s Ben Henry, and current ASBK number three Robbie Bugden after signing with the four-rider factory Yamaha team.

It’s anticipated additional ASBK regulars from a variety of categories will also soon announce plans of a switch to the ASC series.

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