There’s been much going on in the sport this past week, headlined by Australian Superbike (ASBK) testing at Phillip Island across Monday and Tuesday. And, for once, there was official timing that took place!

It’s long been a frustration of ours that when teams test locally, previously it was ultimately very difficult trying to get unofficial times. And when we did, it usually sparked some controversy between riders whether or not they were actually accurately supplied.

Not everybody at the test fitted transponders, however those that did certainly made for a far more engaging couple of days on track at Phillip Island. It’s a positive step and I hope they do more of it in the future, even if the times don’t mean a whole bunch at this point.

It was interesting not only to see the domestic regulars on track, but also a few very fast internationals including the likes of Josh Hook and Bryan Staring, amongst others. Seat time is critical at this point of the year, so it’s a major help for them and they were quickly up to speed on unfamiliar machinery.

Image: Russell Colvin.

Absent from the test was Yamaha Racing Team, which will continue with Wayne Maxwell, Glenn Allerton and Cru Halliday in 2016. Days following the team announced it is lining up at the Phillip Island ASBK opener, which really adds to the event from a local standpoint on WorldSBK weekend.

YRT had previously said it was competing in the rival Australasian Superbike Championship (ASC) this year, but speculation this week indicated that decision’s not so certain afterall. Could they finish out the ASBK season following round one? That said, it’s a shame they missed the valuable test.

Crankt Protein Honda Racing hasn’t said either way where it’s racing with Troy Herfoss and Jamie Stauffer officially, but the common talk is that they’re returning to ASBK fulltime this year rather than racing ASC again or defending the number one plate.

On top of that the likes of DesmoSport Ducati with Mike Jones, JD Racing Yamaha’s Daniel Falzon and current national Supersport champion Brayden Elliott have all committed to the ASBK. Another to keep an eye on is Michael Blair, although we’re not sure if he will be in the ASBK fulltime or not.

So what’s going on with Terry O’Neill’s ASC? After losing its sanctioning with the Australian Auto-Sport Alliance (AASA), which has instead now aligned with Motorcycling Australia (MA) through the Benalla Auto Club (BAC), there’s been work in progress to cement the series’ immediate future.

On the series supplementary regulations it confirms Recreation and Competitive Events Resources and Services (aka RACERS, founded by Queensland Raceways) insurance for round one in Sydney next month, while all other rounds are TBA. Whether or not the likes of Winton/Wakefield Park (owned by BAC) will accept RACERS remains in the air. And if they don’t, then what?

Image: Russell Colvin.

In the meantime MA seems to have its stars aligning – at least from the outside – and notable riders/teams are lining up for the series. Expect the ASC series to take on more of a base approach that’s designed for privateers and amateur racers, while the ASBK should become the premier ‘professional’ racing series.

Things aren’t always as straightforward as they seem on paper, especially when it comes to Australian road racing, but lets hope all becomes clear and transparent sooner, rather than later, so plans can be set in stone on all accounts. We’ve asked the questions to numerous people in the know, but nobody’s speaking on the record.

Is there room for two national series in this country? Not ideally, but then again the further apart they are in terms of structure and who they’re trying to attract, the better off we’ll all be if there does remain two series. Otherwise, working together has to be the best option moving forward if all parties continue to run race events.

Of note is the fact that O’Neill’s Xtreme Ride Days at Wakefield Park are now licenced and permitted by Motorcycling NSW (a State Controlling Body of MA), common ground is at least one step closer. Time will tell (again), but as I’ve said in recent weeks, there is a lot going on in the background that seemingly very few are aware of.

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