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Procon Racing BMW rider Glenn Allerton dominated a drama-charged day at Phillip Island this weekend, winning both races of the opening round of the Viking Group Australian Superbike Championships in spectacular style.

BMW's Glenn Allerton

The field was forced to gamble with a damp circuit sending some riders scrambling for spare bikes with wet tires fitted. The BMW S 1000 RR-mounted Allerton elected to remain on slicks, and, despite being swamped in the opening laps, soon found pace as a dry line around the 4.45km circuit emerged.

The 30-year-old picked off place after place, and by the fifth lap found himself in the lead after blazing past pole sitter Wayne Maxwell who was struggling on deteriorating wet rubber. Allerton greeted the checkered flag with a lead of more than 20 seconds, with second-place going to another European machine, the Aprilia RSV-4 ridden by Ben Attard.

Proving the victory was no fluke, the NSW-based rider backed up the performance by winning race two in dry conditions, again by a solid margin. Two wins from two starts, on debut with a new team and race bike, has Allerton excited about his championship chances in 2011.

“This is the best start to a season I’ve ever had,” said an ecstatic Allerton. “The weekend really could not have gone better for us given we are a new team and racing a new bike. We made a good choice this morning on the slicks but in the second race showed that the pace was genuine. Given the limited time we’ve had to work on the bike, the team at Hepburn Motorsport have done an awesome job and I cannot fault them at all. Thanks also has to go to all at BMW.”

Allerton leaves Phillip Island with a 13-point advantage over second-placed rider Troy Herfoss, who was impressive in his first ever Superbike outing with Team Suzuki. Herfoss’ result was built on both speed and consistency. The GSX-R1000 rider settled for a strong fourth place in the opening race when unable to attack, but was on song in the second 12-lapper and raced to a comfortable podium position.

“It was a tough weekend and I’m very glad to come away sitting second,” said Herfoss. “Our testing pace was great so I was a little confused as to why I was taking a while to get comfortable on the bike. Getting a good result on wet tires in the first race gave me the confidence I needed, and I was able to mix it with the leaders in the second. I’m taking steady steps in my approach to this season and this weekend has provided me with a solid start.”
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Phillip Island qualifying and race lap record holder Wayne Maxwell has put his Team Honda Racing CBR1000RR on the top of the timesheets at the conclusion of today’s first 30-minute Viking Group Australian Superbike Championship qualifying session. Maxwell’s thirteenth lap, a 1:33.442, was enough to dislodge teammate Jamie Stauffer from the top spot, a position he had maintained until the session’s closing stages. The form of the factory Honda machines is an ominous sign to their opposition, with Maxwell saying he felt there was more time to be made up in tomorrow’s second qualifying session.

Wayne Maxwell

“The team is working really well,” said Maxwell. “I started off slowly in qualifying but finished fast, and we’re making improvements in every session. The development of new parts and components are coming along great.”

A two-time Australian Superbike Champion, Stauffer is itching to go racing on the Honda and feels race wins are achievable this weekend.

“We’re still trying a few things out with the bike but today it felt really good,” said Stauffer. “It was a successful day for the team with Honda 1 and 2 on the track. We’re not at 100% but this will be sorted out in the second qualifying session tomorrow.”

Just three-tenths of a second off Stauffer’s best lap, Thursday pacesetter Glenn Allerton was again a factor aboard his Procon Racing BMW S 1000 RR. Like Stauffer, Allerton was quick early in the piece, needing just three laps to set his best time of 1:33.886.

Superbike rookie Troy Herfoss continues to trade top times with an experienced field. The factory GSX-R1000 pilot laid down a 1:34.425 lap late in the piece, and will look to close the gap to the top three with further track time tomorrow.

Team Mack Trucks Suzuki rider Robbie Bugden rounded out the top five, with the ever-reliable rider the first of five in the 1-minute-35-second bracket with a 1:35.297 lap.

Yamaha rider Cru Halliday backed up his solid Thursday effort with the quickest Prostock time today.

The eight-rider Superpole session will follow a further 20-minute final qualifier tomorrow for the Superbike/Prostock field.

Brodie Waters is another to maintain an unmatched run of results this weekend. The Team Suzuki GSX-R600 rider converted practice pace into provisional pole position after topping both Supersport qualifying sessions today. Waters’ best lap was an impressive 1.484 seconds quicker than Triumph rider Mitchell Carr, the day’s second-fastest qualifier.

“Team Suzuki did a fantastic job today,” said Waters. “I’m really looking forward to tomorrow’s Superpole and the weekend’s races. Today’s result was a team effort and I have to thank everyone involved.”

Two Yamahas round out the top four spots on tomorrow’s race 1 start grid. Yamaha Racing Team rider Kevin Curtain used his experience to set a best lap of 1:38.237, just seven-thousandths of a second shy of Carr’s time while Aaron Gobert had a solid showing and was fourth fastest on his R6.

The top-four Supersport qualifiers advance to tomorrow’s Superpole session to decide the grid for their first race.

In the Superstock ranks, Mike Jones needed just five laps today to smash his standing qualifying record, raising the bar with a 1:38.592 in the morning session. The Yamaha R6 pilot will start from pole for tomorrow’s two 8-lap races.

Zack Thackeray, Josh Hook and Mark Wilkinson all made solid improvements in the day’s second qualifying session and round out the front row of the grid in positions 2-4 respectively.

Superbike – Round 1, Qualifying 1*
1. Wayne MAXWELL (VIC) / Team Honda Racing, Honda CBR-RR, 1:33.442
2. Jamie STAUFFER (NSW) / Team Honda Racing, Honda CBR-RR
3. Glenn ALLERTON (VIC) / Procon Racing, BMW S 1000 RR
4. Troy HERFOSS (VIC) / Team Suzuki, Suzuki GSX-R1000
5. Robert BUGDEN (QLD) / Team Suzuki, GSX-R1000
6. Craig COXHELL (VIC) / Demolition Plus GAS Honda Racing, Honda CBR-RR
7. Ben ATTARD (QLD) / iStyle The Natural Aprilia Racing, Aprilia RSV4
8. Beau BEATON (NSW) / North Coast V-Twins, Ducati 1198 R
9. Kris McLAREN (VIC) / Kirk McCarthy Memorial Award, Honda CBR-RR
10. Ben HENRY (QLD) Suzuki GSX-R1000
*Full results not available at time of release.

Supersport – Round 1, Qualifying (Merged results)
1. Brodie WATERS (VIC) / Team Suzuki, Suzuki GSX-R, 1:36.746
2. Mitchell CARR (NSW) / Carr Bros. Motorsport, Triumph Daytona, 1:38.230
3. Kevin CURTAIN (VIC) / Yamaha Racing Team, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:38.237
4. Aaron GOBERT (NSW) Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:38.257
5. Nicholas WATERS (VIC) / Waters Racing, Suzuki GSX-R, 1:38.315
6. Rick OLSON (VIC) / Yamaha Racing Team, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:38.388
7. Christan CASELLA (VIC) Triumph Daytona, 1:38.437
8. Blake LEIGH-SMITH (QLD) Suzuki GSX-R, 1:39.640
9. Chris QUINN (NSW) Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:39.682
10. Ryan TAYLOR (VIC) Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:39.793

Superstock – Round 1, Qualifying (Merged results)
1. Michael JONES (QLD) / Reece Bancell Scholarship, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:38.592
2. Zach THACKERAY (NSW)    Kawasaki ZX6R, 1:40.313
3. Josh HOOK (NSW)    Honda CBRR, 1:40.328
4. Mark WILKINSON (VIC) Kawasaki ZX6, 1:40.631
5. Sean CONDON (NSW) / Swann Insurance / Bike Biz Racing, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:40.854
6. Daniel FALZON (SA) Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:41.009
7. Adrian DI GIANDOMENICO (VIC)     Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:41.043
8. Timothy McGREGOR (NSW) Kawasaki ZX6R, 1:41.312
9. Andrew KINGS (NSW) Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:41.334
10. James BECK (NSW) / Evermil Pty Ltd, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:42.344

Former Australian Superbike Champion Glenn Allerton has wasted little time in getting up to speed on his new BMW S 1000 RR, setting the day’s fastest practice time at round one of the Viking Group Australian Superbike Championships at Phillip Island.

Glenn Allerton

Though a recent shakedown indicated the European bike would be quick, few would have predicted this immediate impact. Allerton pounced on the last of his eight laps, delivering a time of 1:34.354 to hold off Team Honda Racing’s Wayne Maxwell by a 0.241-second margin. With only a few days of on-track development behind it, the Procom Racing machine, campaigned by Hepburn Motorsport, must surely be considered a championship chance with Allerton on board. The 30 year old was pleased with his lap times and thanked his team for their effort.

“I’m really happy with how the bike felt today, it was fast and worked well on the tires – I had a heap of fun,” said Allerton. “I’m excited about the weekend ahead and feel we can be a real factor in the results. I can’t fault the effort of the team at Hepburn Motorsport. We’ve had only two weeks to prepare for the round and everyone has worked tirelessly to build a bike that is quick and handles well.”

Team Suzuki’s Troy Herfoss was third-fastest, the result making for three different manufacturers at the top of the timesheets.

Young gun Cru Halliday was the quickest of the Prostock competitors today, setting a 1:39.053 lap aboard his Yamaha R1.

With their brother Josh making an impact on the World Superbike stage, Brodie and Nick Waters were quick to respond in the Supersport class. The Victorian siblings were first and second-fastest respectively aboard their Suzuki GSX-R600 racers.

Yamaha’s R6 claimed the three fastest times in a packed Superstock field today.

Reece Bancell Scholarship recipient, Mike Jones, was the standout with a 1:38.901 lap. Sean Condon and Andrew Kings, both New South Welshmen, filled positions two and three.

The Superbike/Prostock field, backed this weekend by ASBK presenting sponsor QBE, will contest a further practice session tomorrow, followed by the first of two qualifying sessions.

The Supersport and Superstock classes will contest two 20-minute qualifying sessions apiece.

Superbike – Round 1, Practice 1
1. Glenn ALLERTON (NSW) / Procom Racing, BMW S 1000 RR, 1:34.354
2. Wayne MAXWELL (VIC) / Team Honda Racing, Honda CBR-RR, 1:34.595
3. Troy HERFOSS (VIC) / Team Suzuki, Suzuki GSX-R, 1:35.001
4. Jamie STAUFFER (NSW) / Team Honda Racing, Honda CBR-RR, 1:36.050
5. Craig COXHELL (VIC) / Demolition Plus Gas Honda, Honda CBR, 1:36.211
6. Robert BUGDEN (QLD) / Team Mack Trucks Suzuki, Suzuki GSX-R, 1:36.253
7. Beau BEATON (NSW) / North Coast V-Twins, Ducati 1198 R     1:36.287
8. Ben ATTARD (QLD) Aprilia RSV4, 1:36.707
9. Ben HENRY (QLD) Suzuki GSX-R, 1:37.597
10. Kris McLAREN (VIC) / Kirk McCarthy Memorial Award, Honda CBR-RR, 1:38.221

Supersport – Round 1, Practice 1
1. Brodie WATERS (VIC) / Team Suzuki, Suzuki GSX-R, 1:38.634
2. Nicholas WATERS (VIC) / Waters Racing, Suzuki GSX-R, 1:39.140
3. Kevin CURTAIN (VIC) / Yamaha Racing Team, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:39.616
4. Aaron GOBERT (NSW) Yamaha YZF-R6     1:39.758
5. Rick OLSON (VIC) / Yamaha Racing Team, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:40.064
6. Blake LEIGH-SMITH (QLD), Suzuki GSX-R, 1:40.207
7. Mitchell CARR (NSW) / Carr Bros. Motorsport, Triumph Daytona, 1:40.584
8. Christan CASELLA (VIC) Triumph Daytona, 1:40.594
9. Chris QUINN (NSW) Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:40.837
10. Dylan MAVIN (QLD) / Champion’s Ride Days Race Team, Honda CBR-RR, 1:41.188

Superstock – Round 1, Practice 1
1. Michael JONES (QLD) / Reece Bancell Scholarship, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:38.901
2. Sean CONDON (NSW) Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:41.089
3. Andrew KINGS (NSW) Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:41.660
4. Josh HOOK (NSW)     Honda CBRR, 1:42.032
5. Mark WILKINSON (VIC) Kawasaki ZX6, 1:42.124
6. Timothy McGREGOR (NSW) Kawasaki ZX6R, 1:42.950
7. Daniel FALZON (SA) Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:43.210
8. Adrian DI GIANDOMENICO (VIC) Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:44.353
9. James BECK (NSW) / Evermil Pty Ltd, Yamaha YZF-R6, 1:44.760

An eventful off-season shuffle will see a host of familiar faces piloting new rides when the 2011 Viking Group Australian Superbike Championships get underway at the Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit this week. Sharing the track with World Superbikes for their traditional opening round, the Aussie stars of the Superbike/Prostock, Supersport and Superstock classes are set to scrap to the last lap for points in a pair of races each.

While the Superbike class is stacked full of seasoned campaigners, all eyes will be on the #17 Team Suzuki GSX-R1000 of Troy Herfoss who enters his rookie season in the 1000cc class. With just two full seasons of road racing behind him, the 24-year-old from Goulburn in NSW is already showing the attributes of a future world champion. Despite his success – Troy was crowned Australian Supersport Champion in 2010 – Herfoss is determined to remain grounded in his approach to this new challenge.

Troy Herfoss is poised to make an impact with his jump from 600s to liter bikes

“Moving from the Superport to the Superbike was a big unknown for me,” explained Herfoss. “Until I started testing the new bike, I’d never actually ridden a 1,000. I’m feeling comfortable on the bike and it probably fits me better than the 600 did which is a good sign. My immediate goals are to finish every race; achieving these I hope to enter the final round with a mathematical chance of fighting for the title. Race wins would be good but consistency is what will build a championship campaign.”

The experience and racecraft of Team Honda Racing’s Jamie Stauffer will make him one of Herfoss’ closest title threats. The Kurri Kurri-based rider strung together two near-perfect seasons from 2006-2007, emerging champion on both occasions. His results in seasons past have been uncharacteristic, and he is sure to be back to full strength on the proven package of the Paul Free-engineered Honda CBR1000RR.

“Our tests have all been positive and I already feel right at home on the bike,” said Stauffer. “The team will be strong in 2011 and if I can put in top, consistent finishes then I feel I can be in the running at the end of the season. Wayne [Maxwell] and I have never raced in a team together, but we get along really well. We are both competing to win the championship of course, but above all we are part of a team and we share information readily. Our bike set-up is actually not that different so the process works well.”

The move of 2010 runner-up Maxwell to the factory Honda effort opened up the competitive Demolition Plus GAS Honda Racing seat which will be occupied by 2003 Australian Superbike Champion Craig Coxhell. Coxhell and his CJC Racing team campaigned a successful season aboard a Prostock-spec BMW S 1000 R in 2010, but plans to race the bike in Superbike trim in 2011 stalled. A chance phone call from GAS Honda owner Geoff Winzer resurrected Coxhell’s 2011 ambitions and he is hopeful of factoring in the championship fight.

“We had been working on a deal to race the BMW in the Superbike class but the sponsorship dollars dried up,” said Coxhell. “I was fortunate enough to receive a call from Geoff (Winzer) and the offer to race the Demolition Plus GAS Honda. I won a Superbike privateer title with the team in 2009 so it is good to be back on board and racing a bike that I know has the potential to win races. Last week’s test was my first opportunity to ride the bike, so it was more about finding my feet than anything. The team has changed their suspension setup and after a bit of work I was feeling comfortable.  The opportunity to run a full season on a Superbike has provided a real motivation boost. I’ve been training hard and feel the most fit and focused that I have in quite a few years.”

Like the Superbikes, there will be no #1 plate holder in the Supersport field, and a hungry pack is waiting to lay claim. The battle between Suzuki’s Brodie Waters and Triumph’s Christian Casella looks set to resume, and a number of new faces to the class look set to buy in.

Yamaha returns to the Australian Supersport Championship in factory capacity, fielding Kevin Curtain and Rick Olson on the successful R6.

Nick Waters, brother of Brodie and 2009 Superbike champion Josh, makes the move up from Superstock and will be competitive on a Suzuki GSX-R600.

A total of 23 riders will contest the Supersport races this weekend. In the Superstock ranks (formerly Superstock 600), an incredible 43 entrants will be vying for position.

Action gets underway on Thursday, February 24 as the full ASBK field rolls out for their first practice sessions of the event. The exciting Superpole qualifying format will separate the Superbike/Prostock field’s top-eight qualifiers for a one-lap dash and shot at pole position. The top-four Supersport qualifiers will contest their own Superpole session to determine the front row for the weekend’s races.

Round 1 of 8, Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit

Qualifying format:
Superbike/Prostock* – 2 x 20 min qualifying, top 8 qualifiers to Superpole
Supersport – 2 x 20 min qualifying, top 4 qualifiers to Superpole
Superstock** – 2 x 20 min qualifying

Race format:
Superbike/Prostock* – 2 x 12-lap races
Supersport – 2 x 12-lap races
Superstock** – 2 x 8-lap races

2010 winners:
Superbike – Wayne Maxwell (Honda)
Prostock* – Ben Attard (Ducati)
Supersport – Troy Herfoss (Suzuki)
Superstock** – Carew Dickinson (Yamaha)

Lap record:
Superbike – Wayne Maxwell, 1:32.316
Prostock* – Ben Attard, 1:36.493
Supersport – Bryan Staring, 1:35.200
Superstock** – Aaron Morris, 1:39.837

Circuit length: 4.445km

The form guide for the 2011 Viking Group Australian Superbike Championships was filled in further today as competitors took to the Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit for a full day of official testing. The searing Victorian sun made for a greasy track, with top Superbike contenders lapping around half a second off the pace across the day’s various sessions.

On paper, Team Honda Racing has the experience and equipment to be a championship challenger, and 2010 ASBK runner-up Wayne Maxwell put this potential into practice with the quickest unofficial lap. Maxwell, 28, came agonizingly close to his first Superbike title last year, ruing a lack of consistency as his downfall. With the point score reset to zero ahead of next week’s opening round, the Victorian is eager to make every race count.

“The team has been working hard on developing new components for the bike and today’s test was a good way to verify what we’ve been doing,” explained Maxwell. “I’m happy with today’s progress and the overall direction we’re going in so far. The bike works really well on the new control tires and everyone seems very happy with the decision to use them for 2011 which will make for an even playing field.”

Maxwell shrugged off the favorite tag and was determined to let his results do the talking.

“The favorite tag has been floating around for a few seasons and I’m yet to convert. The field is quite different to previous years but there are still any number of guys that could win, I’m out there to do my best.”

Teammate Jamie Stauffer clocked the day’s second-quickest unofficial lap, and with experience, and two Superbike titles on his side, could be one of Maxwell’s biggest threats.

2010 Australian Supersport Champion Troy Herfoss joins the Superbike ranks this year, and the gifted racer will certainly be one to watch. Piloting a Team Suzuki GSX-R1000 under the guidance of Phil Tainton, Herfoss has adapted quickly to the task and despite the day’s difficult conditions was able to set the third-quickest unofficial time.

The last man to win an ASBK race has switched manufacturers for 2011. 2008 champion Glenn Allerton will spearhead the Hepburn Motorsport effort on a BMW S 1000 R Superbike, a machine packed full of potential. Allerton was within reach of the top three today, an encouraging sign given his very limited time on the bike.

“It’s early days, but the signs are promising and I’m very excited to start racing this bike,” said Allerton. “The BMW is amazing, especially on a fast flowing track like Phillip Island. We’ll take away what we’ve learnt from testing and build on the best setup possible for the opening round next week.”

More than 50 riders across all championship classes took part in today’s full day practice, which was divided into a number of equal 20-minute sessions.

Competitors taking part in round 2 of the Viking Group Australian Superbike Championships at Tasmania’s Symmons Plains Circuit will benefit from an extra half-day practice session.

To be held from midday on Thursday March 3, a day prior to the commencement of round 2, the session will be open to all participating classes – Superbike, Prostock, Supersport, Superstock and Superlites.

“Accessibility is key and we realise traveling and testing between rounds is not always an option available to all,” said IEG Managing Director Yarrive Konsky. “We hope this additional half day can provide competitors with a chance to get in some valuable sighting laps and work on setups ahead of the official, timed sessions on the Friday of the event. The circuit is a fantastic one for motorcycles and we are certain a big local crowd will turn out to support Australia’s best racers.”

A detailed practice session schedule will be made available shortly at www.asbk.com.au.

Competitors also have the chance to take part in the ASBK’s official pre-season test, to be held at Phillip Island on Tuesday February 15.

Team Suzuki’s Josh Waters has signed to race for the Yoshimura Racing Team at the opening round of the 2011 World Superbike Championship at Phillip Island in Australia.

“We are extremely excited to have Josh on board,” said Yoshimura Japan President Fujio Yoshimura, who handpicked the 2009 Australian Superbike champion to represent the team on February 25-27. “He is a very talented rider, and we look forward to seeing what he can do at his home track.”

Perry Morison, General Manager, Motorcycles, Suzuki Australia was equally excited about the opportunity for the Suzuki Superbike Young Gun, saying, “We’re really happy that the Yoshimura Racing Team has asked Josh to race at the Phillip Island World Superbike round. The 2010 season was a challenging one for Josh, but he showed what he is capable of by returning from injury to take a race win at the MotoGP Superbike support race. His opportunity with Yoshimura now lets him showcase his talent on the world stage and I can’t wait to see him race.”

In addition to his involvement with the Yoshimura Racing Team, Waters will continue as part of Team Suzuki competing in selected Australian Superbike rounds.

Australia’s most successful domestic Superbike racer Shawn Giles has announced his retirement from top-level national championship motorcycle racing. The Team Suzuki rider’s distinguished career spans three decades and brought the popular New South Welshman three Australian Superbike Championships (2000, 2001, 2002), one Australian Supersport Championship (1997) and a ’2-plus-4′ Australian Superbike Series title in 1995. Giles is the only rider in the 22-year history of the Australian Superbike Championship to win three consecutive Championships, and from 2000 to 2005, the Team Suzuki rider finished in the top three in the Championship on all six occasions.

In addition to his five national titles, Giles finished runner-up in the 2003 Australian Superbike Championship to Team Suzuki teammate Craig Coxhell; finished equal-first on points in the 2005 Championship but lost the title on count back to Josh Brookes; finished third in 2004; fourth in 1999 and 2009; and fifth in 2007.

The 40-year-old commenced his national racing career in 1986 in a six-hour dirt-track event at the Nepean circuit in New South Wales and finished his career with the Australian Endurance Championship six-hour event at Victoria’s Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit on Sunday, December 5, 2010.

“The time is right, and it’s a satisfying way to finish,” said Giles, who finished third outright in the Phillip Island 6-hour race with team mate Josh Waters on their Team Suzuki GSX-R1000. “I started my career in a six-hour race with a podium finish, so I guess it’s fitting that I should end it the same way.

“I’ve given it a lot of thought and it’s a hard decision to make as I still love riding and racing motorcycles, but my body just isn’t up to the demands of racing a Superbike at the highest level anymore,” added Giles. “I know how much Phil Tainton and the guys in the team put in week in, week out, and I feel I’d be letting them down if I wasn’t able to perform at the level I feel I need to. It’s been difficult to maintain full race fitness following the big accident at Queensland Raceway in July 2008 and my body just doesn’t want to do the things I demand of it. The time is right.”
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An increase in prize money and decreased entry fees, plus contingencies and travel subsidies headline the 2011 Viking Group Australian Superbike Championship Supplementary Regulations, released today.

Available online HERE, the documents detail the distribution of more than $120,000(AU) in prize money and contingencies, plus more than $100,000 in subsidies to support riders and teams traveling to events.

In 2011, the class previously known as Superstock 1000 will be re-branded as Prostock. The class will compete on its own at four standalone events during rounds 2, 3, 5 and 8. At World Superbike and V8 Supercar rounds, Prostock will race alongside Superbike, with competitors racing for the Prostock Challenge prize money.

2011 ASBK Classes
Superbike
Prostock (formerly Superstock 1000)
Supersport
Superstock (600)
Superlites (125GP and 250 Mono)
Superside (Sidecars)

A revision has been made to the 2011 calendar due to a date change at the Perth V8 Supercar event. The 2011 calendar is as follows:
1. 25-27 February, Phillip Island VIC (World SBK)
2. 4-6 March, Symmons Plains TAS
3. 14-17 April, Hidden Valley NT.
4. 29 April-1 May, Barbagallo Raceway WA (V8 Supercars)
5. 3-5 June, Queensland Raceway QLD.
6. 19-21 August, Queensland Raceway QLD (V8 Supercars)
7. 11-13 November, Symmons Plains TAS (V8 Supercars)
8. 18-20 November, Phillip Island VIC

QBE Insurance will partner the rapidly expanding Viking Group Australian Superbike Championships (ASBK) in 2011, ensuring the nation’s most talented road riders and teams an opportunity to showcase their skills to a growing audience.

An integral part of the national business landscape, QBE has been a core supporter of motorcycle racing and its riders for a number of years and the partnership, as announced by promoter International Entertainment Group (IEG), is a natural fit.

“QBE are excited about the upcoming Viking Group Australian Superbike Championships and look forward to a long and successful partnership,” said QBE’s Jacinta Siracusa. “We hope that others in the motorcycle fraternity will also see the potential exposure and value available to their brands and get behind teams and riders in what is set to be another great season. Our involvement with the championship goes back to the 1980’s when the Western Underwriters’ Superbike Series enjoyed a huge following from motorsport enthusiasts across the country. IEG has developed a structured and professional series in which QBE is pleased and confident in entrusting our brand.”

Yarrive Konsky, Managing Director of IEG, welcomed QBE and looked forward to the many mutual benefits the partnership would provide.

“QBE have been a part of motorcycle racing competition for a number of years and significantly, have had a strong involvement with World Superbikes,” said Konsky. “To have a globally-recognized brand on board with the Viking Group ASBK is a huge step forward for the sport and will play an integral role in shaping its future.”

The 2011 Viking Group Australian Superbike Championships will be contested over eight rounds in five states. The opening event, held in conjunction with the World Superbike Championship, will take place at Phillip Island in Victoria.