The stage is set for the greatest show under lights!
Days out from the opening session of round two of the mi-bike Australian Superbike Championship presented by Motul (ASBK) at Sydney Motorsport Park (SMSP) on March 22-23, the momentum is building ahead of what promises to be a scintillating display of Superbike racing under lights at a world-class motorsport venue.
One of the marquee events on the Australian Superbike calendar, the prestige of racing under lights brings an added level of excitement to the weekend with race fans attending the event and tuning in through SBS Sport and livestream services guaranteed to be treated to an action-packed schedule as the nations best riders battle it out for glory in the primetime slot of the weekend.
With race weekend right around the corner, let’s take a moment to reminisce on key junctures of the venue, the story so far and highlight key elements that will keep race fans entertained.
A brief history of Australian Superbikes at SMSP, and a recap of the 2023 action
Opened in 1990, the western Sydney-based circuit is renowned for its fast and flowing lines that rewards driver commitment, especially through turn one.
Over its 35-year history, ASBK has hosted rounds at SMSP but took a three-year break following the 2019 season – returning the calendar in 2023 for the inaugural Night Race of the championship’s history at the circuit.
What a moment it was – to see the field of Alpinestars Superbike riders line up on the grid under lights was a testament to the growth of the championship and its commitment to bringing an exciting show to the fans that flock to the circuit, in the tourist capital of the nation.
Last year, it was McMartin Racing’s Josh Waters (Ducati) who proved to be the dominant figure of the premier class – taking the win in both races, each of which featured a red flag!
With Waters well ahead of a battle pack that included the likes of Cru Halliday (Yamaha), Troy Herfoss (Honda) and Glenn Allerton (BMW), the race was cut short on lap 11 when Mike Jones’ Yamaha stopped on the circuit.
With the race declared, the podium spots behind Waters were filled by Halliday and Herfoss.
Race two got underway with poor weather as rain caused havoc for the riders who tried their best to dodge the wet patches across the track, which saw the red flag come out after just three laps.
As the race re-started a short time later, it was every man for himself as Arthur Sissis (Yamaha), Halliday and Herfoss fought over the same piece of bitumen on the opening lap of the rescheduled eight-lap encounter.
With five laps to run, it was the early-season form-man Waters who stamped his authority on the field with a three-second lead and he was never headed thereafter – crossing the finish line to take the race and round win over Herfoss and Halliday.
The state of play – how it looks heading into SMSP
The opening round of the season held at Phillip Island on February 23-25 proved to be another edition of the Josh Waters show, as the Phillip Island fast-man again demonstrated his prowess at the Victorian-based circuit to clinch all three races, making it three consecutive round wins at the venue.
With the ASBK opener held alongside the Superbike World Championships annual visit down under, big crowds turned out to witness great racing across the weekend – which included a masterclass from the three representing classes of the ASBK championship including Alpinestars Superbike, Michelin Supersport, and Race and Road Supersport 300.
As Waters (Ducati) led from start to finish in all Alpinestars Superbike races, it was essentially a race of the ‘best of the rest’ behind the McMartin racer that included a standout performance on Superbike debut from 17-year old sensation Harrison Voight (Ducati), who held his own and battled hard against the upper echelon of the premier class.
Running wide and losing positions on the second lap of race one which relegated him to sixth, the young gun showed impressive resolve to fight his way to second by the chequered flag with Herfoss (Ducati), Halliday and Jones rounding out the top five.
Race two saw Herfoss move up on Voight to take second at the finish, while the final race of the weekend was short-lived after the Aprilia RSV4 of Matt Walters imploded in a massive plume of smoke at turn one.
The race was immediately red-flagged, with half points awarded.
A bright future is on the horizon in the support classes, as Jonathan Nahlous (Yamaha) took a clean sweep of race wins in Michelin Supersport while Olly Simpson (Yamaha) and Jake Farnsworth (Yamaha) were second and third in the round standings.
Czech rider Petr Svoboda (Kawasaki) had an impressive weekend in his one-off ‘down under’ appearance in Race and Road Supersport 300, taking victory in races one and two, before running off the circuit at the final corner of lap one in race three that dropped him to 21st position.
Despite an impressive fightback through the field, it wasn’t quite enough to get him to the front in an intense fight won by Harrison Watts (Kawasaki), where the top six were covered by less than one second!
Svoboda still finished as the round winner ahead of Josh Newman (Kawasaki) and Watts.
Get set for a great weekend under lights in Sydney!
As the momentum builds ahead of the ASBK Night Race, it’s set to be an awesome show under lights where the stars of the show come to the fore with the promise of spectacular primetime racing in the tourist capital of the nation.
Five classes will take to the track at SMSP:
Alpinestars Superbike;
Michelin Supersport;
Race and Road Supersport 300;
bLU cRU Oceania Junior Cup; and
Superbike Masters.
The news ahead of race weekend has been coming thick and fast as well, including:
Troy Herfoss confirmed to race
Troy Corser added as a championship ambassador
While one lucky ASBK fan has the chance to win a pillion ride behind Corser and fellow ASBK ambassador Steve Martin
The ASBK Night Race is unique to SMSP that allows spectators to come after work on Friday afternoon, or at night, to catch all the qualifying action and the opening races for the bLU cRU Oceania Junior Cup, Superbike Masters, and Race and Road Supersport 300.
On Saturday, the racing moves into top gear, with all the action taking place over the afternoon and into the evening after the sun sets.
All general admission tickets will include access to the:
ASBK paddock;
Grandstand on Brabham Straight; and
Roof-top pit viewing.
Sydney Motorsport Park is set to put on a great show for the Night Race of the season
The ASBK pit-walk experience returns for this iconic event, where fans will have the opportunity to get up close to the motorcycles, meet their favourite riders and grab a photo or autograph. ASBK ambassadors Chris Vermeulen, Garry McCoy, Steve Martin and Troy Corser will all be on location for the fan engagement experience on Saturday between 6:30-7:00pm. Guess what – this experience is also FREE!
The ASBK Fan Zone and Trade Alley will also be in full swing, complete with a giant screen for ASBK TV, manufacturer and industry displays, and a wide variety of tasty food trucks!
Bringing the family along? We’ve got you covered with fun activities planned for the kids including the ASBK Mini Moto Program – a 50cc mini motorcycle experience that is FREE to participate in – on Saturday afternoon.
This round promises to be a blockbuster event with the guarantee of great racing, and an atmosphere providing motorsport fans with a thrilling, memorable experience.
Get yourself trackside at Sydney Motorsport Park for the ASBK Night Race of the season! Book your tickets here.
