The Superbikes will be back on the grid in 2010 after the series structure was announced today by IEG.

The provisional series structure including the calendar and classes for the 2010 Australian Superbike Championship have been exclusively revealed to MotoOnline.com.au, released by International Entertainment Group late this afternoon.

Next year’s series will see a nine round championship that will kick off at the Phillip Island round of the Superbike World Championship on 26-28 February before eventually wrapping up at Symmons Plains in Tasmania with the V8 Supercars Championship Series on 6-7 November.

Victoria’s Broadford circuit will join the series in an event that will feature the support classes only, while a round in New South Wales is still under discussion according to IEG director Yarrive Konsky.

As previously indicated, the series will feature four events alongside the V8 Supercars Championship Series, with a slight revision of the class structure also announced.

Superstock 1000 will now be permitted for A-grade riders, albeit within the Superbike ranks as a separately scored series, while the Superstock 1000 class for B-, C- and D-grade riders is set to remain as is contrary to recent speculation.

An official statement from IEG included in the announcement says that “International Entertainment Group has enjoyed its first season as the official Australian championship promoters.  During trying times we have kept entry fees and practice day charges down, re-introduced prize money and Television.

“Going into season 2010 there will be various changes, however we can confirm television (54 hours of television plus repeats, divided between three stations) and prize money as well as increased coverage through the inception of several V8 Supercar rounds.”

Provisional 2010 Australian Superbike Championship Calendar and Classes:

Round 1: 26-28 February – Phillip Island, Victoria (World Superbikes)
Classes: Superbike/Superstock 1000 A, B, C and D; Supersport; Superstock 600
Note: Superbike and Superstock 1000 will race together with points being awarded separately to the three classes racing collectively – Superbike, Superstock A, Superstock B, C and D.  Preference will be given to series entrants first. Contractual arrangements with the Philip Island Group (World Superbikes) are being finalised.

Round 2: 12-14 March – Symmons Plains, Tasmania
Classes: Superbike/Superstock A; Supersport; Superstock 1000 B, C, D; Superstock 600; 125/250GP Mono; Sidecars
Note: Sidecar class subject to entry numbers.

Round 3: 16-18 April – Queensland Raceway, Queensland
Classes: Superbike/Superstock A; Supersport; Superstock 1000 B, C and D; Superstock 600; 125/250GP Mono; Juniors.
Note: –

Round 4: 1-2 May – Queensland Raceway, Queensland (V8 Supercars)
Classes: Superbike/Superstock A; Supersport
Note: –

Round 5: 18-20 June – Hidden Valley, Northern Territory (V8 Supercars)
Classes: Superbike/Superstock A
Note: Travel allowance will be provided to all competitors.

Round 6: 16-18 July – Broadford, Victoria
Classes: Superstock 1000 B, C and D; Superstock 600; 125/250GP Mono; Juniors; Sidecars
Note: No Superbike or Supersport classes at this event.

Round 7: 20-22 August – Queensland Raceway, Queensland
Classes: Superbike/Superstock A; Supersport; Superstock B, C and D; Superstock 600; 125/250GP Mono; Juniors
Note: Possible venue change.

Round 8: 10-12 September – Phillip Island, Victoria (V8 Supercars)
Classes: Superbikes/Superstock A, B, C, D
Note: Superbike and Superstock will race together with points being awarded separately to the three classes racing collectively – Superbike, Superstock A, Superstock B, C and D.

Round 9: 6-7 November, Symmons Plains, Tasmania    (V8 Supercars)
Classes: Superbike/Superstock A; Supersport
Note: Superstock 1000 A will be point scored separately

Number of rounds per class:
Superbike/Superstock A – 8
Supersport – 6
Superstock 1000 B, C and D – 6
Superstock 600 C and D – 5
125/250GP – 4
Juniors – 3
Sidecars – 2

An additional round each for the Superstock 600, 125/250GP and Junior categories may be introduced pending the final calendar, according to IEG.

Also according to IEG, rounds one, six and seven are “subject to change pending final negotiations. We are currently finalising all contracts and will have the final calendar approved within 14 days. The only differences may be; (1) a track change with Broadford and/or Queensland’s second standalone round; (2) an additional round with the V8 Supercars instead of World Superbikes. It’s a strong consensus that we will run with World Superbikes.”

With the ASBK series set to return to the Northern Territory for the first time this century, IEG has promised that “there will be adequate travel assistance for the Northern Territory round.  We will be supplying a b-double for the transportation of your motorcycle(s) and selected product as well as some travel money. Teams will be supplied a subsidized fuel allowance for taking their transporters.”

The statement has also confirmed that there will be a control tyre implemented into the Superbike ranks for 2010, although that tyre is yet to be announced at this time of publication.