Former champion Craig Coxhell is quietly confident for the 2011 ASBK season. Image: TBG Sport/Andrew Gosling.

It was over 10 years ago that Craig Coxhell made his Australian Superbike Championship debut as a talented teenager in the year 2000, but for 2011 the Shepparton-based rider has a fresh new outlook on his career after being gifted a Superbike lifeline.

Coxhell will take over the Demolition Plus GAS Honda Racing CBR1000RR vacated by 2010 runner-up Wayne Maxwell – who is returning to the new-look factory Honda fold – and he’s excited to have the opportunity to contend for race victories again.

Coxhell and his CJC Racing team campaigned a successful season aboard a Prostock-spec BMW S 1000 R in 2010, but plans to race the bike in Superbike trim in 2011 stalled.

A chance phone call from GAS Honda owner Geoff Winzer resurrected Coxhell’s 2011 ambitions and he is hopeful of factoring in the championship fight.

“We had been working on a deal to race the BMW in the Superbike class but the sponsorship dollars dried up,” said Coxhell. “I was fortunate enough to receive a call from Geoff and the offer to race the Demolition Plus GAS Honda.

“I won a Superbike privateer title with the team in 2009 so it is good to be back on board and racing a bike that I know has the potential to win races.”

Coxhell made his debut on the GAS Racing machine at Phillip Island’s official ASBK test last week, easing into his new role on his way to setting the unofficial fifth fastest lap time of the day.

“Last week’s test was my first opportunity to ride the bike, so it was more about finding my feet than anything,” he explained. “The team has changed their suspension setup and after a bit of work I was feeling comfortable.

“The opportunity to run a full season on a Superbike has provided a real motivation boost. I’ve been training hard and feel the most fit and focused that I have in quite a few years.”