Image: Russell Colvin.

Mi-Bike Australian Superbike Championship (ASBK) race officials will monitor track conditions under lights in the case of rain on Friday and Saturday evening at Sydney Motorsport Park (SMSP), with rider safety of the highest priority.

The Eastern Creek-based venue returns to the ASBK calendar for the first time in over three years this weekend, with bikes on-track well into the evening in what is a historic first for the national championship series.

Naturally, that raises the question of operating procedures if it were to rain and the impact that it could have on the racing schedule, with the current forecast across the event suggesting it is a possibility.

“As with all ASBK rounds, the ASBK race direction will review the track safety conditions for the suitability to ride and rider safety on a case-by-case basis,” ASBK sporting director Simon Maas told CycleOnline. “We monitor the weather and radar as part of our standard operating systems.

“We have two ASBK safety officers working within the ASBK race direction and we take on advice from two nominated senior Superbike riders who provide respected feedback. In short, rain is not an automatic reason not to race, but ASBK race direction takes rider safety as its number one priority.”

Across the unique two-day format to be used for round two in Sydney, Superbike competitors will complete three free practice sessions during the day on Friday, with qualifying one and two to take place under the lights that night. Additionally, race one for the Superbike class will take place on Saturday afternoon, scheduled for 4:20pm local time, with the second race set for 9:15pm.

A full rundown of the round two schedule that also features Superport, Supersport 300, R3 Cup, Oceania Junior Cup (OJC) and Superbike Masters can be found at www.asbk.com.au. Tickets for the SMSP return are available to be purchased in advance online.