The YMF Loan Australian Superbike Championship is a series watched with much interest from motorcycle racing identities worldwide, and has long been considered the proving ground for future two-wheel stars.

For multiple New Zealand Superbike champion, Andrew Stroud, the decision to cross the Tasman to contest the series was a significant move, and as his results have shown, a valuable one.

He is a seasoned campaigner in the world of motorcycle racing, and has held his share of the spotlight in the World Superbike Championship and various national series.

Stroud campaigns the distinct Brother/SsangYong Suzuki GSXR-1000 in the nation's premier class, and is 4th in the points standings as the series approaches its penultimate round at Winton, October 20-22.

Unlike his competition in the series, Stroud has had very limited experience on Australian soil, and had not raced on any of the tracks prior to the round meetings.

His success within the Superbike ranks in 2006 has been phenomenal, and he closed within 12 points of a top 3 berth in the series at the previous round, Tasmania's Symmons Plains.

Stroud will certainly be one to watch next weekend as he and his Superbike New Zealand team launch a full-scale assault on the rural Victorian Winton circuit.

"I'm very pleased with my and the team's progress throughout 2006, with every race meeting we have been a step closer to the front," explained Stroud.

"The tracks can take some learning and I've always found I dramatically improve my position after each session and every opportunity I get to do more laps."

"It's great to be in 4th position at this stage, I'm getting closer to realising a goal which I set for myself at the start of the year, which was to finish in the top 3 and take a race win along the way."

Stroud compared racing in Australia to the competition faced in New Zealand, citing a number of differences.

"Racing in Australia is very competitive, probably more so than New Zealand, and there are a greater number of fast riders."

"The budgets are bigger, especially for the factory guys who usually get to test at the tracks before each round, it's extremely professional at every level and from a series point of view."

"On the other hand, guys like Shawn Giles, Scott Charlton and Chris Seaton would all be able to tell you, New Zealand's standard of racing is still very high and there are a lot of talented guys within the national series."

He will take a similar approach to Winton as he has done to the previous 5 rounds of the YMF Loan Australian Superbike Championship, taking time to learn the intricacies of the 3.0km circuit and then chipping away at his lap times.

"I always go out there to do the best I can, it's an attitude that will yield any sporting competitor results."

"If we allow ourselves to learn something new each lap and make changes to suit each session, then the GSXR-1000 is usually ready to fire when we come to racing."

While his immediate focus remains on achieving a top 3 finish in 2006, Stroud admitted that he's often toyed with the idea of establishing a team to contest the World Superbike Championship.

"It's an ambitious idea, racing in Australia is much more feasible at this stage and it gives me a chance to test my skills against the fast factory guys here, it's a championship with talent comparable to any national competition, I'm enjoying myself immensely with Superbike New Zealand this year."

"I'd also like to thank those that have made it possible for me to experience racing in Australia this season, and without the valuable support of Suzuki, Brother, SsangYong, Pirelli, Arai, Joe Rocket and mechanic John Richards we couldn't have done it."

Racegoers can keep an eye out for Stroud on the #71 Suzuki, who will be mixing it with the best from the rival manufacturers Yamaha, Honda and Kawasaki.

The event kicks off on Friday October 20 with practice sessions, and the main racing begins at 9am on Sunday October 22.

Tickets for round six of the 2006 YMF Loan Australian Superbike Championship are available online www.aus-superbikes.com.au and at the gate and cost:

Saturday Adult: $20
Two Day Pass/Sunday Adult: $35
Pensioner: $20
Family (2 adults and up to 5 children): $50
Children (6-15): $10
Program: $5