Australia has hosted rounds of MotoGP and the Superbike World Championship for decades between Phillip Island and Sydney Motorsport Park (formerly Eastern Creek), however from 2018 we have a new international motorcycle racing series making the trip down under, the Asia Road Racing Championship (ARRC). FIM-sanctioned and set to make its inaugural appearance at The Bend Motorsport Park this weekend, the ARRC is high-profile and important for rider development in the region, boasting generous manufacturer support as a result. CycleOnline.com.au has tallied five reasons why it’s worth paying attention to the series alongside the YMF Australian Superbike Championship (ASBK) in South Australia.

Image: Supplied.

5. Australian connection:
There have been a number of Australians compete in the ARRC series over the years – many of those through an alliance with Yamaha Motor Australia – from the premier SuperSports 600cc category, Asia Production 250 and varied additional support categories including the Asia Dream Cup. Most notably though would be renowned Queensland international Anthony West, who has established himself as one of the series’ elite and currently leads the championship after winning the opening round in Thailand. Unfortunately however, West is at Assen for World Supersport this weekend and will miss his home round!

4. Superbikes on their way:
While the Asian championship has long featured SuperSports 600cc as its primary division, next year will see the series adopt a Superbike class in which we understand will be of a very similar specification to the ASBK. What that means, for us as Aussies, is that our top national racers could become highly-attractive to the ARRC teams, whether it’s for a full season or a one-off round. It’ll be an interesting dynamic to follow, however at the same time there’s no denying the strength of the series regulars.

3. International interest:
Being a championship that currently travels between Japan, Malaysia, Thailand, India and Australia, each year the ARRC appears to gain importance in what is a particularly popular region for motorcycling. And the fact that these events are essentially in the ‘backyard’ of the manufacturers, there’s no doubt that it has a lot of support and credibility from the factories. In fact, over the years some of Japan’s finest exports – including Katsuaki Fujiwara (2011 champion), Ryuichi Kiyonari (2012 champion) and even Noriyuki Haga in recent years – have competed in the ARRC and there is a who’s who of stars working in the paddock as team managers, rider coaches, etc.

Image: Supplied.

2. Local wildcards:
This weekend at The Bend Motorsport Park will see no less than five Australian wildcards on the grid, spanning across all three Asian categories that have made the trek to Australia. In SuperSports 600cc we’ll see ASBK Supersport points-leader Tom Toparis (Cube Racing Kawasaki), Broc Pearson (Yamaha) and Scott Nicholson (NextGen Motorsports Suzuki) in the mix, as well as former national R3 Cup champion Zac Levy in Asia Production 250 and talented teenager Locky Taylor in the unique Underbone 150 ranks. Keep an eye on each of them in both the ARRC and their usual ASBK classes throughout race-week. Also keep an eye out for fellow Australians Patrick Li (SuperSports 600cc) and Travis Hall (Underbone 150) in the Asian categories.

1. Action-packed categories:
One thing that is assured in the ARRC is all kinds of bar-to-bar, high-paced action. Whether it’s the SuperSports 600cc field, Asia Production 250s or the Underbone 150s, these guys are known to lay it on the line for position so it will be entertaining to watch at an impressive pace. To give you an idea of the calibre these guys ride at, lining up as wildcards at the recent Thai round of World Supersport, Thitipong Warokorn (not travelling to The Bend) finished fifth, Ratthapong Wilairot was P8, Decha Kraisart took 13th and reigning champion Azlan Shah Kamaruzaman – a last-minute entry to replace the injured Kenan Sofuoglu – claimed 16th. Bike specifications are different to their similar ASBK classes, however it will be interesting nonetheless to see how the lap-times stack-up on the same circuit during the same race weekend.