Image: Andrew Gosling.

Next Gen Motorsports could contest the 2014 Australian Superbike Championship (ASBK) alongside its Australasian Superbike Championship commitments, announcing it will enter round one of the ASBK series.

International Entertainment Group (IEG) announced a host of revisions to the 2014 ASBK series structure last week, prompting Next Gen to add round one to its roster and potentially the remainder of the three-round series.

“When dates clashed and bike regulations didn’t allow the same equipment to be used in both series, Next Gen Motorsport was forced to choose between the ASC and ASBK,” a statement from the Victorian team said.

“We chose the ASC because it showed stability and consistency. This decision saddened the team as we passionately and proudly competed in the Australian Superbike Championship.

“In light of recent announcements and while they did come way too late, we now need to consider the fact there are no date clashes, you can use the same equipment, tyres are open, entry is free and there is a lot of effort and finance being put towards getting riders to Darwin to compete in front of a good crowd with live TV.

“We as a team discussed it and we feel that to enter round one of the ASBK to see if MA and IEG will live up to promises is not a risk at all, as the track time will benefit our latter ASC round and it provides more potential exposure for our sponsors.

“If goes as promised we feel the Darwin round is valuable to the sport and sponsors and worth the long haul.”

Next Gen is also looking to assist in transportation of competitors to the Darwin event, if it opts to continue in the ASBK series.

“If it doesn’t cost the competitor to get their equipment to Darwin and it’s free to enter I think the return on your investment could be worth it,” the statement continued.

“We can also transport some riders, as we will head straight from the Darwin round to QR for the next ASC round, which there is plenty of time.

“While all this could seem to add up to another last-ditch attempt by MA and IEG, the announcement of Peter Doyle’s appointment within MA is definitely a positive step. Having met him when our team raced in America a few times, we feel he is a good candidate to help steer the ASBK back into calmer waters.

“We found Peter to be welcoming, open and helpful, taking time and going out of his way for others, which in this day and age is rare. Basically there is no argument about which series to do any more because you can choose to do ASC or ASBK or both if you want to – it’s up to the individual.

“A typical season used to be nine rounds, so 2014 ASC and ASBK champions sounds sweet to us.”

Round one of the ASBK season will take place at Queensland Raceway on 5-6 April.