Maxwell ready for title fight in final ASBK round at Phillip Island Victorian-based Superbike star Wayne Maxwell will have the fight of his life on his hands when he enters the final round of the 2009 Australian Superbike Championship at the Phillip Island Circuit this weekend, 27-29 November. Maxwell goes into the round sitting in third position in the season point standings, just nine points in arrears of series leader and Oleon Motologic Racing teammate Glenn Allerton, with Suzuki rider Josh Waters currently placed second. The 26-year-old enters the weekend as the in-form rider of the seven round series after recently taking victory in the Mallala round in South Australia, the Australian Superbike Open at Phillip Island, and also the penultimate round of the ASBK series that was held alongside the MotoGP World Championship round last month. It will be a tight weekend of ASBK action when the trio go head-to-head for one last time in 2009, this time with a winner takes all scenario being the ultimate reward if Maxwell manages to win Sunday’s pair of 12-lap premier Superbike races. The weekend marks the seventh round of what has been a nail-biting finish to this year’s championship, with the world class 4.445-kilometre Phillip Island proving the perfect close to a magnificent season so far for Maxwell. Maxwelll will take to the track on his Honda Fireblade CBR1000RR for the first time on Friday morning, with qualifying action set to decide the first point of the weekend during Saturday’s proceedings, and then the championship-deciding races on Sunday. Wayne Maxwell Superbike #47 I believe that it’s possible to win both races this weekend and I’ve had good momentum in the second half of the season so far. The bike is at its best and I couldn’t be happier with the job that the team has been doing, so I guess if things go our way then it will determine the exact outcome of the championship on Sunday afternoon. We had a test at a public ride day last week and we definitely made improvements I was happy with my lap times considering the conditions. I’m going into this weekend confident, so we’ll just have to wait and see. There’s a chance of rain over the weekend, but we’ve had two wet races so far this year and I’ve won one of them. I’ve never really struggled in the rain, so either way I think that it will be the same three guys battling for the win and I’m looking forward to trying to get the job done. More, from another press release issued by TwoThree Public Relations: ASBK champion Allerton determined to retain title in Island finale A determined Glenn Allerton will front for the grid at this weekend’s seventh round of the 2009 Australian Superbike Championship, hopeful of retaining the title he won last year in what will be a close fight in the season finale. The defending champion enters the round with a two point advantage in the title chase over rookie Josh Waters, while Allerton’s Oleon Motologic Racing teammate Wayne Maxwell is also within striking distance nine points behind in third. Allerton took over the series lead at round two of the season and has managed to hold on ever since, winning five of the 12 championship events contested so far this year, but it will be Sunday’s pair of 12-lap races that will decide the championship. A recent two day test at the picturesque 4.445-kilometre circuit has boosted Allerton’s hopes of holding onto the number one plate for another year after improving the set-up of his Honda Fireblade CBR1000RR, now looking to prove he has what it takes on race day. The penultimate round of the series as a support category at Phillip Island’s MotoGP World Championship round saw Allerton place third overall behind his two main opponents, suffering the effects of a high-speed crash during practice in the early stages of the weekend. With six weeks to recuperate in between rounds, the 28-year-old goes into this weekend rejuvenated and ready to fight every inch of the way in a bid to fend for his series point lead. The Superbike contenders will hit the track on Friday morning, before the first point of the weekend is awarded during Saturday’s Superpole session and then the all-important championship races will kick-off during Sunday’s proceedings. Glenn Allerton Superbike #1: I’m looking forward to the weekend and I’m happy with the test that we did last week as a shakedown before the final round. We found a good setting with the front-end of the bike, which is a big boost of confidence for me. I feel that I’m fit enough to outrace everyone on the track and I’m mentally strong enough to get the job done. It’s going to be a tough race, but hopefully I can be fast when I need to be, but stay consistent throughout the weekend. My goal is to get pole position and win both races, so if I can do that then the championship will be ours again. I don’t think I’ve wanted the number one plate as bad as I do right now it was hard to win the first time, but this year seems tougher again. I enjoy the challenge though, and I’m really excited about the races on the weekend. Hopefully we get some dry weather. I’d also really like to thank the Motologic team for all of their support throughout the last two years and for their ongoing support into next year.