About ASBK

The Australian Superbike Championship (ASBK) is Australia’s premier motorcycling championship, with a season filled with 7 rounds in 4 states and territories, bringing together Australia’s best riders and leading world class manufactures. Manufactures for 2010 include Suzuki, Ducati, Aprilia, Triumph, KTM and Honda.

The motorcycles used for ASBK are production based motorcycles with modifications purpose-built for racing at speeds parallel to world’s standards. These bikes aren’t built for the road, but are obtainable for riders wanting to test their skills on the race track.

The Australian Superbike Championship was first held in 1989 and won by Malcolm “Wally” Campbell. The bikes were 750cc 4-strokes and produced 115 -120 horsepower

In 2009, Josh Waters from Mildura, Victoria was crowned Australian Superbike champion in his rookie year.

As the sport evolves, bikes get lighter, faster and the tires more tractable. The end result is speeds and lap times unprecedented in previous years. Technology has limitless boundaries and with traction control, new suspension componentry, data acquisition and new tire technology the future looks bright for advancements in motorcycle racing.

The Riders

The current crop of rider’s are equally more advanced like their bikes than the predecessors. Advance sports science has enabled riders to fully understand their bodies and minds. These advancements have helped riders exceed in areas that were previously ignored.

Off the bike training, mental training and practical on the bike training are equally demanding and necessary to become a champion.

In a sport that has been acknowledged by sports coaches, doctors and physiologists as both physically and mentally demanding at the highest level of athleticism its critical for riders to be the complete package.

What is a Superbike?

Aussie-spec Superbikes are based on road-going motorcycles up to 1000cc for four-cylinder engines, and 1200cc for two-cylinder bikes. They must be homologated for road registration, with at least 20 units being imported by the Australian distributor.

In the case of the Japanese marques (Honda, Kawasaki, Suzuki and Yamaha), that means a motorcycle that in stock form sells in Australia for around $19,000 – or $40,000 in modified Australian Superbike spec.

In addition to the Japanese brands, European marques Aprilia, BMW, Ducati and KTM also contest the Australian Superbike Championship. Although more expensive on the showroom floor, the European marques generally carry a higher level of standard specification and therefore don’t require the same degree of modification allowed by the category rules.

What is a Supersport?

Aussie-spec Supersport bikes are based on road-going motorcycles up to 600cc for four-cylinder engines, 675cc for three-cylinder bikes and 750cc for twin-cylinder machines. Models must be homologated for road registration, with at least 20 units being imported by the Australian distributor.

In the case of the Japanese marques (Honda, Kawasaki, Suzuki and Yamaha) and British manufacturer Triumph, that means a motorcycle that in stock form sells in Australia for around $15,000 – or $24,000 in modified Supersport spec. Differential weights apply to the various capacity classes, with 158kg, 162kg and 166kg respectively for 600cc, 675cc and 750cc.

To help contain costs Australian Supersport regulations are more restrictive than the rules used in the Supersport World Championship. Australian spec bikes are much closer to stock, and not that far removed from a Superstock 600 machine.

Whereas the World Supersport rules allow for close-ratio gearboxes, engine management systems, larger radiators and cylinder-head modifications the Australian rules don’t. Engine bottom-ends (gearbox, crankshaft, conrods, etc) must remain standard, as must the brake discs, brake calipers and wheel rims. Teams can however undercut the gearbox drive dogs.

About International Entertainment Group (IEG)

IEG are the official promoters and organisers of the Australian Superbike series. IEG was awarded the contract from Motorcycling Australia in 2008 for five year tenure. IEG have a long history in motorcycle racing both in both road and dirt bike racing.