INTERNATIONAL ENTERTAINMENT GROUP:

Australia’s top Superbike riders are preparing for Round 4 of the Woodstock Bourbon Australian Superbike Championship this weekend (August 7-9) at Sydney’s Eastern Creek Raceway.

The rider in everyone’s sights is defending Champion and hometown hero, Motologic Racing’s Glenn Allerton, who heads into his home round with a slim 10 point championship lead over Suzuki’s Josh Waters.

Allerton admits it won’t be easy to fend off the charges from his closest championship rivals.

“I expect the top riders will be on top of their game this weekend, but I feel that I’ve also given myself the best chance in terms of preparation. I’m feeling fit and strong, and physically I feel in the best shape of my life,” said Allerton.

“I have never won a superbike race at Eastern Creek. It’s the only track on the series that I haven’t won at, so I really want to tick that box.

“Being my home track, it’s really important that I get a win this weekend and push forward in the championship.”

Sitting 3rd in the championship is Allerton’s Motologic Racing teammate Wayne Maxwell, who along with Waters and Allerton is the only other rider to have claimed a race win this season.

Waters won the first round at Phillip Island on his debut with Team Joe Rocket Suzuki but Allerton responded by claiming victory at the last two rounds.

Waters is determined to fight back and is confident that his new 2009 model GSX-R1000 will give him a competitive edge at the challenging Eastern Creek circuit.

Team Joe Rocket Suzuki recently tested the new bike at Winton and Eastern Creek, and Team Manager Phil Tainton says that at all three test outings the bike has looked very competitive.

“Every test has gone extremely well and overall we couldn’t be happier with the package we have from Suzuki.” said Tainton.

“At the Eastern Creek test Shawn Giles reportedly recorded the fastest lap time, and Josh Waters was second fastest. Both Josh and Shawn have commented how easy it is to do fast lap times on the 2009 GSX-R1000. They both feel it is just awesome.”

Kawasaki Racing’s Kevin Curtain finished on the podium at the previous round in Queensland and along with Yamaha’s Jamie and Daniel Stauffer, is expected to figure at the front of the field this weekend.

As always, there will be a full field of privateers looking to knock off the factory-backed riders.

The Superbikes will hit the track on Friday August 7 for three practice sessions, ahead of Saturday’s qualifying and Superpole. The two 13-lap Superbike races will be held on Sunday August 9.

For the first time, the Aussie Racing Car series will also appear on the Australian Superbike program. The Aussie Racing Cars will complement a packed two-wheel support schedule of Supersport, Superstock 1000, Superstock 600 and 125 GP/250 GP Mono.

Eastern Creek is round four of seven in the 2009 Woodstock Bourbon Australian Superbike Championship.

Tickets are available at the gate. For more information head to www.asbk.com.au.