Image: Andrew Gosling (TBG Sport).

The Phillip Island Championship has been increased from two to three rounds for the 2017 season, now incorporating the standalone round of the Yamaha Motor Finance Australian Superbike Championship presented by Motul Pirelli (ASBK).

Initially introduced in 2014, the Phillip Island Championship has previously combined points from the domestic categories at the Superbike World Championship (WorldSBK) and MotoGP World Championship events at the circuit.

Motorcycling Australia (MA) announced today that round seven of the ASBK to be held at the world-famous Victorian venue on 6-8 October will form round two of this season (Superbike and Supersport classes). The Michelin Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix will round out the series (Superbike class only) on 20-22 October.

“The PI championship was developed as a two-round series across the World Superbike and MotoGP events and we are thrilled to now include round seven of the ASBK into the series,” Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit managing director Fergus Cameron said.

“The PI championship has seen the best riders in Australia battle it out for honours over several years, providing some of the closest and exciting racing that patrons can expect to see. We expect no less for the remaining rounds for 2017 and encourage everyone to get down to see some of the best racing Australia has to offer.”

Caterpillar JD Racing Yamaha’s Daniel Falzon currently leads the Superbike standings after dominating the WorldSBK support races in February, while in Supersport Mason Coote (AARK Racing Yamaha) sits atop the standings.

The inaugural Phillip Island Championship was captured by Josh Hook in 2014, followed by Mike Jones in 2015 and Troy Herfoss in 2016 – the latter two also claiming the ASBK championship wins during those seasons.