Viking Group Australian Superbike Championship frontrunners have Glenn Allerton in their sights as the points leader guns for his fourth round win in succession at Darwin’s Hidden Valley Raceway this weekend. The Sydney-sider has taken the series by storm on his Procon Maxima BMW, managing the transition to a vastly-different bike with relative ease over the off-season. Allerton recorded the final round victory of 2010, and has notched up two more round wins from two starts at Phillip Island and Symmons Plains. The 2.87km circuit’s front straight will demonstrate the blistering speed of the BMW S 1000 R, an advantage that Allerton hopes will keep him ahead of the field. “The bike is coming along in leaps and bounds,” said Allerton. “We’ve tried a few new settings with forks and brakes which we feel will make it a complete package. “It comes off the corners well and will really come into its own down the long front straight.” Allerton enjoys a 23-point advantage at the lead of the Superbike field after two rounds. The series’ second visit to the ‘Top End’ will be crucial to the championship chances of a number of riders, none more so than Wayne Maxwell who is desperate to convert pace to points. The Team Honda rider has headed both QBE Superpole sessions so far but a race win has eluded him. “We’ve been working hard on bridging the gap to Glenn (Allerton),” said the fifth-placed rider. “It’s time to start winning races if we’re going to reel him in and the team has been working hard on developing some new parts to give us the best chance. One of the championship’s fittest riders, Maxwell has approached the challenge of the Territory’s taxing heat with a strategy. “The key is to train hard in the lead-up and keep something in reserve for the races you don’t want to be spent by the time the weekend comes around.” iStyle The Natural Aprilia Racing’s Ben Attard is another rider who has put in the hard yards prior to Hidden Valley. Attard impressed with a second place during the wet Phillip Island opener and hoped there was more to come from the powerful Italian machine. “I think we’ll be strong whether it’s wet or dry,” said Attard. “We’ve got some new fork kits for the bike this round and the development as a whole has come on strong since Phillip Island. “I’d consider myself a pretty fit racer and I’ve been competing in a few running races between rounds to keep that competitive edge.” The Queensland-based rider sits fourth on the Superbike standings on 65 points. 2010 Australian Supersport Championship victor Troy Herfoss heads to Hidden Valley with few expectations, pointing out the vast differences between the Team Suzuki Supersport machine he won on last year and his current ride, the GSXR-1000. “My goal this year has to been finish every race and so far I’m on track,” said Herfoss. “I haven’t ridden on a 1000cc bike at Hidden Valley and it’s going to be very different to last year. “All I can do is hope to be competitive and improve on my results from Tasmania.” A two-wheel enthusiast, Herfoss has kept himself busy on other forms of cycle to keep his eye in. “I’ve been doing as much as I can, my training is primarily bike-related, so I’ve been on my mountain bike, my dirt bike and road bike at every opportunity.” Herfoss’ strong season start has him placed second on 70 points after two rounds. 2010 Hidden Valley victor, Team Suzuki’s Josh Waters will be another one to watch this weekend. Waters won the opening race in Tasmania with lap record pace, and is showing no signs of slowing. Riders will get two practice sessions on Friday to find a suitable setup ahead of Saturday’s qualifying sessions. QBE Superpole will follow to determine the top 8 places for Sunday’s grid. Sunday’s race will consist of two 17-lap races. The bumper event also features action from the QBE Supersport, Honda Prostock, Suzuki Superstock and Motul Superlites classes plus the new sidecar class, Superside. Tickets Friday: $20 ($10) Saturday: $30 ($15) Sunday: $40 ($25) *Concession prices are available at the Gates only ($) Corporate Tickets are available as a one or two day package: One day: $375 Two days: $675 Visit www.asbk.com.au or www.majorevents.nt.gov.au/superbikes for more information. 2010 Hidden Valley winners and record-holders 2010 winners:” Superbike Josh Waters (Suzuki)” Supersport – Troy Herfoss (Suzuki)” Prostock* Ben Attard (Ducati)” Superstock** Matthew Walters (Kawasaki) Superlites*** – Jordan Zamora (Honda) Lap record:” Superbike Josh Waters, 1:07.772 (Suzuki)” Supersport Troy Herfoss, 1:10.730 (Suzuki)” Prostock* Ben Attard, 1:09.446 (Ducati)” Superstock** Aaron Morris, 1:12.597 (Yamaha)” Superlites*** – Jordan Zamora, 1:17.439 (Honda) * Previously known as Superstock 1000″ ** Previously known as Superstock 600 *** Previously known as 125GP/250Mono Viking Group Australian Superbike Championship Overall Points 1. Glenn ALLERTON (NSW), 93″ 2. Troy HERFOSS (VIC), 70″ 3. Jamie STAUFFER (NSW), 66″ 4. Ben ATTARD (QLD), 65 5. Wayne MAXWELL (VIC), 60″ 6. Craig COXHELL (VIC), 58″ 7. Robert BUGDEN (QLD), 57″ 8. Cole ODENDAAL (NSW), 45″ 9. Ben HENRY (QLD), 45″ 10. Joshua WATERS (VIC), 42