Image: Supplied.

The Asia Road Racing Championship (ARRC) officially introduced its brand new Superbike category last weekend in Japan, launching the ASB1000 division to take off in 2019.

Historically the ARRC has featured a Supersport category as the premier class, however with the support of multiple manufacturers next year will see a Superstock-based 1000cc series begin.

“We are extremely gratified that the Asia Road Racing Championship has finally reached a point where the ASB1000 class has actually become a necessity,” explained series director Ron Hogg. “When the series was first introduced in 1996, our mission was always to promote and develop the sport of motorcycle racing within the region. Over the decades, we have always held firm to that vision.”

FIM Asia representative Kendy Chan said: “The FIM Asia is fully supportive of this move to the 1000cc class. This will inject fresh interest and growth into the Asian motorsports scene and will certainly be good from a rider development perspective.”

Next year will see the ASB1000 class added to the schedule alongside 600cc and 250cc production-based racing, which visited Australia for the first time this year, each to be contested using Dunlop tyres in a continuation of the brand’s ARRC support.