Superbikes rider heading back to childhood circuit

ONLY a point separates first and second place at the Superbike Championship this weekend.

OUT TO WIN: Brisbane boy Mike Jones racing his Desmosport Ducati. Picture: Andrew Gosling

MOTOSPORT: REVHEADS have a major weekend coming up as round four of the 2019 Motul Pirelli Australian Superbike Championship races into Morgan Park.

The Superbike riders have been racing from Phillip Island in Victoria in February to The Bend in South Australia.

The races will take place in Warwick on from Friday to Sunday from 8.30am-5.30pm.

Superbike rider Mike Jones, who is in third place in the headlining Kawasaki Superbike class, said he used to ride around Morgan Park Raceway when he was a child.

"As a Brisbane boy, Morgan Park Raceway will be my home round,” he said.

"When I was growing up I would come to the track with the motorcycle club and in 2015 I won first place in the Morgan Park round of the championship.”

Jones said his history with the track will give him a strong hometrack advantage for the big race.

"I am very familiar with the circuit, I know it like the back of my hand,” he said.

"The track has changed a bit from when I was a kid with the extended layout and resurfacing but as a whole it is still the same.”

He said the recent test drives he had at the track made him more confident he will relive his 2015 glory.

It will not be an easy race though - the competition this year is the toughest he has faced yet.

"I have been overseas for the last two seasons so I have not competed with these guys for a while.”

He is riding a Desmosport Ducati 12 99 and while the bike is new for him, he said he has ridden Ducatis many times.

Jones said the Superbike Championship was right at home at a track as well-respected as Morgan Park.

"I know in previous years especially in Warwick the community get behind the race and really embrace it,” he said.

"Morgan Park is one of the best tracks on the calendar and anyone who comes down can expect a spectacular race with close action on and off the track and will get to watch me win.”

Australian Superbike Championship media representative Chris Plumridge said it was always a special time when the bikes came to Morgan Park Raceway.

"The fans in the Southern Downs region are always so passionate and turn out in force, they provide such a tremendous atmosphere, we can't wait to be back again this weekend,” he said.

With only a point between the first place rider Bryan Staring and second placed Cru Halliday the stakes are high coming into the weekend's race.

Plumridge said the diversity is huge among the current placing riders.

"The action so far this year has been incredible, with three different winners from each of the first three rounds and five different manufacturers represented in the top five in the riders' standings.”

Mr Plumridge said off the track the Superbike Championship makes for the perfect family day out with plenty to do and see away from the track.

"We have autograph sessions where you can meet your favourite riders for an autograph or selfie, food trucks and our trade alley where there will be heaps of retailers showcasing their products,” he said.

"There is also the famous Come 'n' Try, where kids can strap on all the safety gear and jump on a motorcycle with one of our coaches to have their first go at motorcycling.”

The Southern Downs Regional Council will support the event by providing shuttle buses from Warwick to the raceway.

Tickets for the event are $10 and children under 15 get in for free.

Tickets are available from ASBK.com.au