Former series champion Craig Coxhell returns to the Superbike class and will be hoping to regain the form that earned him the 2003 title. Image: TBG Sport/Andrew Gosling.

International Entertainment Group has today released the official entry lists for this weekend’s opening round of the Viking Group Australian Superbike Championship.

The Phillip Island opener will feature the premier Superbike and Prostock categories in a combined grid for this event, set to be joined by Supersport and Superstock 600 as official national championships over the weekend.

Superbike has 13 entries featuring a number of contenders who could taste victory come Sunday, including Team Honda Racing’s Wayne Maxwell and Jamie Stauffer, Team Suzuki’s Troy Herfoss, Procon Racing BMW’s Glenn Allerton and Demolition Plus GAS Honda Racing’s Craig Coxhell, to name a few.

The new-look Prostock category features 22 entries, headed by Yamaha-supported 2010 Superstock 1000 C and D Champion Cru Halliday, as well as reigning Superstock 600 Champion Matthew Walters on the new Kawasaki ZX-10R.

Supersport has a solid grid of 23 riders, featuring the factory Yamaha duo of Kevin Curtain and Rick Olson, as well as Team Suzuki’s new recruit Brodie Waters. Other top contenders will include Christan Casella on the Triumph Daytona 675, as well as Gobert Motorsports Yamaha’s Aaron Gobert.

Superstock 600 has a massive 43 riders entered, with Reece Bancell Scholarship winner Mike Jones entering the title chase as favourite aboard his Yamaha YZF-R6. Jones will be joined in the category by a number of former 125cc Grand Prix contenders, including national title holder James Mutton on a Brisbane Motorcycles Suzuki.

Click here to download the entry list