There will be a single national-level road racing championship in Australia from 2004 following the signing of a landmark agreement between Motorcycling Australia (MA) and Formula Xtreme Promotions.

The joint collaboration between MA, the governing body for motorcycle sport in Australia, and Formula Xtreme, a private promoter, represents a long-term commitment to the prosperity of road racing at a domestic level, which will see both organisations channel their resources and knowledge into the Australian Superbike Championship and Formula Xtreme events.

David White, the Chief Executive Officer of MA, said: “This is undoubtedly a major step forward for road racing in this country. The Australian Superbike Championship and Formula Xtreme Tri-State have been successful in their own right, but a combination of both will undoubtedly lift racing to another level, and that’s a positive step for all stakeholders – competitors, sponsors, officials, media and, of course, spectators.

“This championship has the potential to be the world’s best national title, and will be a great training ground for producing future international stars.”

The principal of Formula Xtreme Promotions, Terry O’Neill, is also excited about the collaboration to promote the Australian Superbike Championship, which will again have naming rights sponsorship from Shell Advance in 2004.

“I am entering into this association with a great deal of enthusiasm for the future,” said O’Neill. “Our challenge is to bring together the combined resources of both organisations so that everyone concerned with our great sport maximizes their potential.

“With time and ongoing major commitment from all parties concerned, I believe that this partnership provides an historic opportunity for road racing to assume its rightful position of importance in the domestic motorsport scene – that is, as a worthy equal to V8 Supercar racing.”

With the commercial agreement between MA and Formula Xtreme now a reality, the calendar and structure of the 2004 Shell Advance Australian Superbike Championship will be announced in the near future.