The season started on 22 March at Phillip Island and finished on 4 October at Sugo after 12 rounds.
[1] Carl Fogarty, who amassed three race victories during the season, won the riders' championship[2] for the third time after 1994 and 1995; Fogarty prevailed over Aaron Slight at the last round, while Troy Corser, who had entered the final event leading the standings, could not race due to injury.
[4] This season also saw the round at Sentul being dropped from the 1998 calendar due to the 1997 Asian financial crisis.
Bold – Pole positionItalics – Fastest lap ‡ Due to separate accidents, the first race in Laguna Seca was stopped on the 13th of the 28 scheduled laps and the subsequent restart was aborted; half points were awarded.
[6] ‡ Due to separate accidents, the first race in Laguna Seca was stopped on the 13th of the 28 scheduled laps and the subsequent restart was aborted; half points were awarded.