ASBK racing to return in July
Of the original seven-round championship for 2020, only the opening round at Phillip Island had been completed before COVID-19 restrictions brought an end to all racing activity.
A new calendar has now been released, shortening the championship to six rounds, with racing to resume at Phillip Island on 25-26 July, followed by rounds at Winton, Wakefield Park, a TBC date and location, then The Bend, which will be the new season finale and held in conjunction with the rescheduled ‘International Motofest’ event.
This new calendar replaces the original calendar of Wakefield Park (Rd2), The Bend (Rd3), Barbagallo (Rd4), Morgan Park (Rd5), Winton (Rd6) and Phillip Island (Rd7).
The ASBK field will be joined by Australian Supersport and Australian Supersport 300 classes at all confirmed rounds, with the YMF R3 Cup and bLU cRU Oceania Junior Cup to take part at The Bend.
According to ASBK management, Phillip Island was chosen for the return round for several reasons, not least of which is easier implementation and management of COVID-safe protocols.
The return round will be closed to spectators, but will be broadcast on ASBK TV and live streamed. There will be limits on the number of team personnel, while a shortening of the schedule from the usual three days to a two-day event is aimed at reducing costs for teams.
From Phillip Island, ASBK will head to Winton Motor Raceway for Round 3 on 11–13 September. Whether this will be open to spectators and additional team personnel has yet to be confirmed due to the fluid nature of the pandemic and changing restrictions.
Round 4 will be held at Wakefield Park Raceway on 16–18 October, with confirmation on spectator attendance and increased team personnel to be confirmed closer to the event.
A date and location for Round 5 had not been confirmed at time of writing, with ASBK management to monitor their options as COVID-19 restrictions and social distancing requirements will dictate the choice of venue. As with preceding rounds, further details will be announced closer to the event.
The Round 6 finale will be held at The Bend in South Australia on 20-22 November. Again, decisions on spectators and increased personnel are still pending.
2020 Australian Superbike Championship – provisional calendar*
Rd 1 27 Feb – 1 Mar Phillip Island GP Circuit, VIC
Rd 2 25 - 26 Jul Phillip Island GP Circuit, VIC
Rd 3 11 - 13 Sep Winton Motor Raceway, VIC
Rd 4 16 -18 Oct Wakefield Park Raceway, NSW
Rd 5 TBC TBC
Rd 6 20 - 22 Nov The Bend Motorsport Park, SA
*All rounds and dates are subject to updated State and Federal Government COVID-19 restrictions and may be altered as required.
Following his clean sweep of race wins at the opening round, Boost Mobile Ducati’s Wayne Maxwell leads the 2020 ASBK championship, followed by Yamaha Racing Team’s Cru Halliday and Suzuki’s Josh Waters. Defending ASBK champion, Desmosport Ducati’s Mike Jones, sits in eighth place overall.
For more details and round updates, go to: https://www.asbk.com.au/
Photos: MA media
