ASBK preview: Phillip Island

The final round of the 2013 Australian Superbike Championship converges on Phillip Island on October 5-6, with Suzuki’s Wayne Maxwell holding a commanding 31pt lead over teammate Robbie Bugden, and BMW’s Glenn Allerton a further 4pts adrift.

Maxwell, now a nine-year veteran of the superbike class, said he felt everything had fallen into place in his move to Suzuki.

“I have... finished runner-up quite a few times, so it is definitely time for me to take the title,” Maxwell said. “I guess I needed everything to align and fall into place and Suzuki has given me that chance. It’s far from a done deal, with two races still to go this weekend. We will do what we did in Darwin and take it lap-by-lap and session-by-session.

“Phillip Island has been both cruel and kind to me over the years, and now I live in Melbourne it has become my home track so I am looking forward to racing in front of friends and family this weekend.”

In the supersport class, South Australia’s Daniel Falzon holds a 20pt advantage over fellow Yamaha rider Aaron Morris but it could still go either way.

Morris was the dominant force at rounds four and five of the championship, winning all four races across the weekend. Falzon returned serve at round six in Darwin and took a clean sweep of proceedings.

While Matt Walters (Kawasaki) wrapped up the Australian Prostock Championship in Darwin -- claiming his sixth consecutive round victory -- the battle for second and third rages with just 8pts separating Ben Nicolson (BMW) and Dustin Goldsmith (Kawasaki).

This weekend’s event will also showcase a range of off-track entertainment. Renowned stunt rider Lukey Luke will attempt to do the seemingly impossible onboard his KTM 690 Duke R, and the popular Throttle Jockeys Arena will be a major attraction for young budding racers.

Tickets will be available at the gate.