ASBK points leader Wayne Maxwell will head to Japan next week.

Demolition Plus GAS Honda Racing’s Wayne Maxwell is set to contest two of Japan’s biggest road race events with the news that he has been selected to ride in this year’s Suzuka 300 and Suzuka 8 hour race in Japan.

The Australian championship series leader looks forward to the Japanese races, excited at the prospects of racing against some of the leading riders in the world including Ten Kate Honda WSBK rider Jonathan Rea.

“This will be my first time racing at these events so I don’t really have any expectations,” Maxwell explained. “I’ll just go there and do my best and hopefully I’ll get a good result.

“I take off this Wednesday for the 300 event and it’s not too hot over there at the moment so that’s a bonus. Otherwise, I’m doing my usual training and will hopefully be able to cope with the more humid weather in July.”

The Suzuka 300km race, which is scheduled for 13 June, is nicknamed the ‘Road to the 8-Hour’ and widely seen as a prologue for the Suzuka 8-Hour round of the Endurance World Championship to take place on 25 July.

This weekend will see Maxwell focus on the third round of the Viking Group Australian Superbike Championship at Queensland Raceway, looking to maintain his series point lead after a successful test a fortnight ago.

“After Darwin we had a bit of work to do,” he said. “But we were really consistent at the test and I’m feeling confident coming into this weekend. We have worked tirelessly to overcome a few issues we had in Darwin so it’s looking good for a win.”

Untimed practice is taking place at the Ipswich-based circuit today, with official practice scheduled to commence tomorrow morning. Stay tuned to MotoOnline.com.au for updates direct from the circuit throughout the weekend.