Ducati returns to Australian Superbike Championship
NF Importers – Ducati are very proud to announce the return of the world’s most successful Superbike manufacturer to the Australian Superbike Championship – in partnership with one of Australia’s most successful Superbike teams.
Ducati through Australian distributor, NF Importers is joining forces with Motologic Racing, winners of the 2008 and runners-up in the 2009 ASBK series, to field the technology-leading Ducati 1198R Superbike in the 2010 ASBK series.
It has been 10 years since a distributor-backed Ducati team last contested Australia’s premier motorcycle racing series.
Warren Lee, CEO of NF Importers: “We are really excited and proud to be back in the Australian Superbike Championship and to be starting a new partnership with Motologic. Ducati is certainly the most successful manufacturer in World Superbike racing with 16 Manufacturer and 13 Rider Championship title victories. With such an impressive WSBK record combined with the championship winning experience and resources of the Motologic team, we’re naturally quite confident our 1198 Superbikes will be at the forefront of the 2010 ASBK competition.”
The four Ducati 1198 R Superbikes will be in the hands of one of Australia’s most successful and innovative teams in Motologic Racing, under its highly experienced team owner, Paul Free.
“I am extremely excited for Motologic going into the 2010 Australian Superbike season. In partnership with NF Importers we are bringing the Ducati brand back to the Australian Championship and this opportunity sees the team at Motologic re-energised and motivated like never before. The Australian Superbike Championship is entering a new era. Competing alongside the V8 Supercars for the first time in 10 years will generate much greater exposure for motorcycle racing. The Ducati V-twin has been re-introduced to the series and there is a shift in manufacturers taking to the grid; overall, it is a thrilling time for Motologic and the sport in general. Preparations are in full swing for the World Superbike event and the Ducati Motologic Race Team is eager to take to the track.”
Ducati Motologic Racing will make its debut in the opening round of the 2010 Australian Superbike Championship at Phillip Island on February 26-28 – appropriately, in conjunction with the World Superbike Championship.
Team management refused to confirm their rider signings for the 2010 season but it is widely speculated that long time Yamaha campaigner and multiple time Australian Champion Jamie Stauffer will spearhead the Motologic Ducati squad alongside relative newcomer Jordan Burgess.
ASBK 2010 Calendar
Round 1: Phillip Island, Victoria – February 26-28 (WSBK event)
Round 2: Darwin, Northern Territory – April 8-11 (ASBK event)
Round 3: Queensland Raceway, Queensland – June 3-6 (ASBK event)
Round 4: Broadford, Victoria – July 1-4 (Non Superbike event ASBK)
Round 5: Queensland Raceway, Queensland – August 19-22 (ASBK Event)
Round 6: Phillip Island, Victoria – September 10-12 (V8 Supercar event)
Phillip Island, Victoria – October 14-18 (MotoGP. Non-ASBK series event)
Round 7: Symmons Plains, Tasmania – November 5-7 (V8 Supercar event)
