The penultimate round of the 2006 SsangYong Australian Supermoto Championship will be held at the Raleigh International Raceway near Coffs Harbour (NSW) this Sunday, with just 21pts separating the top four riders in the premier S2 class.

In what is shaping up as an absorbing conclusion to the fourth instalment of the national supermoto title, Stuart Bennett (Motorex KTM 450SMR, 167pts) currently holds the upper hand in S2 (250cc 2T vs 450cc 4T) – a position he has held since round one at Eastern Creek.

The current No. 2 even managed to increase his lead from two to 11pts at round four in Cobden (Vic) last month, with Adam Cini (Husqvarna Racing SM450R, 156pts) taking over second sport from Ben Grabham (GHR Honda CRF450R, 154pts).

Troy Herfoss (Husqvarna Racing SM450R, 146pts) completes the leading quartet in fourth place, having won the last three S2 races after an Uncharacteristically slow start to the season.

However, the dynamics of the S2 will undoubtedly change this weekend – before a wheel is even turned. That’s because Grabham has chosen to concentrate on his first ‘love’ this weekend, and will compete in round two of the Yamaha Australian Off Road Series in Wodonga (Vic).

But that doesn’t mean Grabham’s S2 ambitions are in tatters, as the supplementary regulations allow a rider to drop their worst round of the championship in determining their final points.

In all probability, Grabham’s worst ‘result’ will be Coffs Harbour, so the 24-year-old will head into the final round at Darlington Park (Qld) on June 24 with his white flag still hidden away.

For all the other S2 riders, it will be business as usual on April 23. For Bennett, who wears his Supermoto feats over the last three years a badge of honour – he won S1 in 2003, and finished runner-up in S2 in 2004-2005 – it will be ensuring he retains his place at the head of the marauding pack.

“Raleigh is a high-commitment track, and you have to be confident that your bike will run through the fast turns – and the demanding motocross section will sort out the boys as well,” said Bennett. “I have had the KTM boys in the workshop fine-tuning the 450SMR to be ready to handle everything this track will throw art me to ensure I retain my No. 1 position.”

Meanwhile, Supermoto rookie Cini is ready for a ‘recovery’ after failing to finish on the podium in the last three races. Despite being below his best, the 24-year-old Queenslander still managed to move past Grabham at Cobden, which augers well for a strong finish to the year.

Cini, like Bennett, will be keeping a watching brief on Herfoss at Coffs Harbour, after the 19-year-old finally hit full steam at Cobden – pole position and two barnstorming wins.

Since then, he’s also finished runner-up in a major supermoto challenge in Nevada, behind the irrepressible Jeff Ward.

Now he’s back on local terra firma, intent on maintaining the rage before he heads back to American for the start of its national championship.

With a maximum of 100pts available in the final two rounds, Rodney Taplin (Axis Motorsports Honda CRF450R, 126pts) and Mark Avard (Beringer Yamaha YZ450F, 119pts) are the only other two S2 contenders, although victories for either would be more akin to a twist of fate than anything else.

Twenty-three S2 riders will compete at Raleigh in the two S2 races, including reigning S1 champion Josh McFarlane, who will be finally making his debut for the SXV Aprilia Racing Team on the twin-cylinder SXV450.

Jake Magee, who was to have partnered McFarlane in the Aprilia team, has now gone his own ways and will ride at Honda CRF250R in the S3 (125cc 2T vs 250cc 4T) class at Raleigh.

In S3, Grabham (GHR Honda CRF250R) has won every race to date – a flawless 12 from 12 (300pts). As mentioned, he won’t compete in round five, with New South Welshman Blake Jacobs (On Two Wheels Motorsports Yamaha YZ250F, 245pts) the overwhelming favourite to fill the vacuum.

Jacobs has finished behind Grabham in nine races, and is well clear of Simon Galloway (Cessnock Motorcycles (KTM 250SXF, 171pts). Joel Whitaker (Husqvarna TC210) and Ricky Rice (CRF250R) are next, deadlocked on 158pts.

Eleven riders have had a taste of S3 podium action in 2006, compared to six each in S1 and S2.

In S1, the No. 1 plate will finally be unveiled by McFarlane (SXV550), although he has no chance of retaining the title. Instead, Cini (Husqvarna Racing SM510R, 245pts) and Jamie Cunningham (GHR Honda CRF480R, 235pts) appear immovable, with Graham Cheney (Motorex KTM 450SMR, 180pts) coming on strong at Cobden.

However, Cheney missed round one with injury, with Angus Reekie (Elf Racing KTM 525SX, 204pts) and Jason Kain (Honda CRF490R, 182) still ahead of him in the standings.

In the previous Australian championship round at Raleigh, in 2003, Cheney finished second in S1 behind Avard, with Bennett in third.

147 riders will compete on Sunday, with support events for Clubmen, Novices, Veterans, Women and Juniors. The circuit is located 15 minutes south of Coffs Harbour. Practice commences at 9.00am, with racing to begin at 11.00am.

Tickets are available at the gate, and cost $20 for adults, $10 for children 5-15, and $50 for a family.