Image: Foremost Media.

ASBK veteran Matt Walters has announced his retirement from the sport, the privateer mainstay calling time on his career effective immediately ahead of today’s opening practice sessions at Queensland Raceway.

Now 32 years of age, Walters spent over a decade aboard Kawasaki machinery, on which he won multiple titles in the lower tiers prior to becoming a fixture in the premier class at a national level.

“Well, after 28 years of motorcycle racing [and] over 10 years of Australian Superbike racing, I’ve decided to call it a day – all good things must come to an end,” announced the Cessnock rider. “I have been fortunate enough to grow up in a sport that I loved so much for so long and got to see the good side of motorcycle racing while being supported by the industry.

“I can confidently say I’ve enjoyed my time and have no regrets. Thank you to everyone that supported me during my career, there are a lot of people to list, but you know who you are, and to my competitive mates in the Superbike class over the years, it’s been unreal.

“Last but not least, the biggest thank you to my family – mum and dad for the years of hard work [through] the good times and the bad, and to my wife for putting up with me and always supporting me through all of it. I’ll be around, time to enjoy life a little… thanks for the memories.”

In recent seasons Walters had attempted to develop an Aprilia RSV4 1100 in ASBK trim, between reverting to his more familiar ZX-10R on occasion. His career is also highlighted by a single World Superbike Championship (WorldSBK) appearance as a fill-in rider with Pedercini Kawasaki in 2015 at Phillip Island.