We alluded to it last week and now, it’s happened, as all kinds of information was released regarding the Australasian Superbike Championship’s (FX-ASC) future this week. Wakefield Park and Winton are scrapped, with Sydney Motorsport Park and Queensland Raceway hosting an additional round each. It’s still a six-round series primarily based on the east coast.

On the surface it looks as though Australian Superbike Championship (ASBK) governing body Motorcycling Australia’s (MA) newfound partnership with the Australian Auto-Sport Alliance (AASA) has effectively locked out Australian Road & Track Rider Promotions’ (ARTRP) FX-ASC series at those circuits.

After all, the AASA is owned by the Benalla Auto Club (BAC), which also owns and operates the Wakefield and Winton circuits. It’s undergone a host of managerial changes recently, including the appointment of Chris Lewis-Williams as CEO of the group late in 2015 and the exit of Benalla’s well-known Ronke brothers, Adam and Matthew, prior to that (both now part of Queensland Raceways).

But it’s not quite so clear-cut and from what we understand. Sources suggest there has also been direct conflict between BAC and ARTRP, which initially involved Wakefield and Winton as part of its five-way joint venture formed in 2010, so it’s not solely MA’s fresh involvement with BAC that has disrupted ARTRP events at those venues.

Image: Russell Colvin.

Originally, ARTRP consisted of partners Winton, Wakefield Park, the Australian Racing Drivers’ Club (ARDC), AVE TV and the Australasian Superbike Company (AUSCO) of Terry O’Neill according to an announcement back when it was introduced during September 2009. Now, that group’s now down to O’Neill’s company and AVE TV.

With all said and done – for now – the RACERS (founded by Queensland Raceways) sanctioning that the FX-ASC series will operate under wasn’t accepted by BAC for its circuits and ARTRP opted to change its calendar accordingly without those venues included. Interestingly, the first that BAC new of this decision was through CycleOnline.com.au’s breaking news according to Lewis-Williams.

It was suggested that ARTRP run its events at Wakefield and Winton through MA permits, but discussions between the pair never did eventuate despite O’Neill already running his ride days through Motorcycling New South Wales (MNSW) this year until now. And realistically, even if ARTRP was permitted by MA at those circuits, it was always a long-shot to piece that puzzle together.

For starters, since MA already has its Australian Superbike Championship, it doesn’t make sense for them to permit a national series under the name of the Australasian Superbike Championship. And there are existing commercial agreements in place regarding the FX-ASC, so those aren’t so easily modified in case of a major restructure or re-brand.

And then there are the regulation differences, the fact that O’Neill largely has created his categories to suit his series format over the years, as well as the underlying fact that if he were to go ahead and rely on MA for insurance as such, he’d be under their direction in many circumstances. It’s at that point where you think, why wouldn’t common sense prevail and a merger be reached?

Image: Russell Colvin.

On top of all that as a result, the popular club-based Formula Xtreme Race Series at Wakefield Park has fallen by the wayside (it’s still a goer for Queensland), as has the Race Your Mates concept, and now O’Neill’s Xtreme Ride Days scheduled to take place at the venue throughout the year have also been cancelled.

Where to from here? If there’s no merger going to happen, the ASBK should once again become the premier championship to be won, catering for professionals, top level riders and developing talent. Meanwhile, expect the FX-ASC to be moulded as more of an pro-am type series to bridge the gap, albeit at an extremely high level with exceptional television and media coverage.

What will throw a spanner in the works of all that is if Yamaha Racing Team decides to remain in the FX-ASC series for a seventh-straight season, while Crankt Protein Honda Racing is in the ASBK as confirmed this week. Having those two premier teams separate isn’t good for anyone. And then there’s the likes of DesmoSport Ducati, BCperformance and more that could also be split in rival series.

Make sure you check out all of CycleOnline.com.au’s social networking channels and be sure to Like us on Facebook or Follow us on Twitter and Instagram for even more behind the scenes insights. Just search CycleOnline.