Image: Andrew Gosling.

Queensland Raceway will roar into life this weekend with many of the country’s best motorcycle racers taking to the grid for the opening round of the 2014 AirRoad Australian Superbike Championship.

NextGen Motorsports Glenn Allerton, will start as favourite in the coveted Superbike class this weekend after finishing runner-up to Wayne Maxwell in 2013.

Allerton can expect strong competition from the 22-rider Superbike field which includes local racers Mike Jones, Linden Magee and Mitch Paytner, who will all be hoping to capitalise on a home-track advantage.

Springwood local Mike Jones rates the Ipswich circuit amongst his favourite throughout Australia and is looking forward to getting back trackside.

“I’m really excited to be getting back on the Crazy Dogs Kawasaki ZX10 at Queensland Raceway this weekend,” Jones said.

“I can’t wait to be back in the seat again, it’s good fun and great for developing my skills, and will be great to also be racing in front of a home crowd.

In the Supersport class, defending champion Daniel Falzon is aiming for back-to-back titles. The South Australian racer recognises Queensland racers Callum Spriggs and Aiden Wagner will be hard to beat on home soil this weekend.

“There is a very competitive Supersport field for 2014 and I think riders like Callum Spriggs and Aiden Wagner will be hard to beat at their home track,” Falzon said.

“I am really looking forward to this weekend,” Wagner said. “It is my home track and I have done a lot of laps there in the dry and the wet, so I am not concerned about the weather.

“Last year I had some problems with my rear shock so this year, in front of family and friends I really want to put it on the podium.”

Another local racer looking to make a return to the podium this weekend is Cleveland schoolgirl Tayla Relph who will take on the boys in the Moto 3/125 class.

This weekend will be a family affair for the 17-year-old, who was a regular podium finisher in 2013, with her father Steven contesting the Supersport class.

This weekend’s opening round of the AirRoad Australian Superbike Championship will also support Danny Green’s Coward Punch initiative.

Motorcyclists attending the event on Sunday will be invited to participate in a lunchtime ‘Lap of Champions’ which will not only raise awareness for the ‘Cowards Punch’ initiative but also funding.

The AirRoad Australian Superbike Championship will donate $5.00 for each motorcyclist who participates in the ‘Lap of Champions’ at Queensland Raceway on Sunday.

Green and ASBK organisers IEG are encouraging motorcyclists to get behind the initiative and ride to Queensland
Raceway on Sunday, 6 April, in support of the campaign.

Gates open at 8:00am Saturday and Sunday and tickets are available for purchase at the gate.