Superbike hopefuls aspiring to be a part of a factory racing operation in the 2007 YMF Loan Australian Superbike Championship have a single round remaining to showcase their skills, and fans can witness this tense duel as the riders take to Eastern Creek Raceway on Sunday November 19.

At present, two of the four major motorcycle manufacturers and valued series sponsors have confirmed their lineups, with two yet to release the details.

The premier outfits in both Superbike and Supersport series have access to the sport's latest technology, which is constantly evolving through development in top-shelf national Superbike series' ¬ in which Australia is a major player - and the MotoGP arena.

In the Honda camp, Russell Holland and Bryan Staring will both take dual Superbike and Supersport roles aboard the Joe Rocket-backed machines.

The departing Glenn Allerton will certainly be out to impress at Eastern Creek as he vies to keep his status as a factory Superbike rider alive, with injury and incidents seriously hampering his 2006 title aspirations.

Joe Rocket Honda Team Manager Paul Free recently confirmed the factory operation would undergo a serious shakedown prior to the 2007 season in order to assert themselves from the first round.

"Our package is just not working the way we would like and it is showing in the results," said Free.

"Honda will be looking at completely reviewing and refocusing all components of our racing efforts for next year."

Pirelli will replace Michelin as the team's tyre supplier, a brand that has experienced considerable recent successes on the local scene, most notably in helping Russell Holland to his second-place championship standing.

Adam 'Krusty' Fergusson maintains his long-standing relationship with Honda also, taking a different direction in 2007 to form his own satellite team, DVS Honda.

Yamaha have had an overwhelmingly successful year in both Superbike and Supersport classes, and it comes as no surprise that they will retain all 4 racers for next season.

The Brothers Stauffer, Jamie and Dan, will once again head the Superbike charge, with Jamie joining young riders Mark Aitchison and Jason O'Halloran in the Supersport class also.

The team has run faultlessly on the comprehensive Dunlop tyre package all year, and are pleased to be able to continue the relationship into the new season.

Yamaha Racing Team Principal John Redding was confident the team would make a seamless transition to the new R1 Superbike and carry on their phenomenal form into next year.

"Consistency is one of the key ingredients to success in motorsport and on that basis all of our current riders have been retained for our 2007 campaign," said Redding.

"We were confident that the team would yield some great results this year but the outcome has been absolutely staggering."

"Jamie, Dan, Mark and Jason are all competitive and spirited racers and very serious about the sport, they mesh perfectly as part of the team and contribute equally to its success."

The two remaining manufacturers, Kawasaki and Suzuki, may be keeping their rider lineups under wraps until the conclusion of the season's final round at Eastern Creek in just a few weekends' time.

Shannon Johnson and Josh Waters currently head the Kawasaki Racing Team charge, with Shawn Giles and Winton runner-up Robbie Bugden occupying the Team Yoshimura Suzuki seats.

The event will prove crucial for a number of riders on the cusp of a factory berth, and there are sure to be numerous challenges from the series' improving privateer riders in order to attract the attention of watchful team personnel.

YMF Loan Australian Superbike Championship Standings (at round 6 of 7)

1 Jamie STAUFFER (NSW) 269 points
2 Russell HOLLAND (NSW) 232
3 Andrew STROUD (NZ) 173
4 Robert BUGDEN (QLD) 166.5
5 Daniel STAUFFER (NSW) 150
6 Scott CHARLTON (VIC) 147.5
7 Shannon JOHNSON (VIC) 126.5
8 Wayne MAXWELL (NSW) 122
9 Shannon ETHERIDGE (NSW) 112.5
10 Ashley ROE (VIC) 97

Tickets for round seven of the 2006 YMF Loan Australian Superbike Championship are available online (www.aus-superbikes.com.au 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