Image: Russell Colvin.

Australia is pulling out all stops to wrest the International Challenge trophy back from the United Kingdom, recruiting Phillip Island master and two-time WorldSBK champion Troy Corser to lead the team when the 25th International Island Classic is held at the Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit from 26-28 January.

Brimming with talent and experience, the Australian nine-rider squad also includes former national champions Steve Martin and Shawn Giles, Isle of Man winner Cameron Donald, Beau Beaton, Alex Phillis and David Johnson.

Johnson returns to the Australian team for the first time since 2010, as Irish expatriate Paul Byrne and Ken Watson join the Australian team for the first time, while the Aussie offensive will be rounded out by long-time historic racing campaigner Scott Webster.

Corser, whose last appearance at Phillip Island was in the 2011 WorldSBK round, will ride a 1982 Honda Harris F1 machine prepared by Australian captain Rex Wolfenden in the International Challenge, which has been won by the UK the last three years.

“It’s time to get back and race at home in front of a Phillip Island home crowd. It’s been a long time,” said Corser from his UK base, where he lives with wife Sam and two teenage kids, Kalani and Kelisa.

“I have been doing the Goodwood events with a great team at BMW Classic, riding some old museum bikes. It’s been a lot of fun. Everyone tells me the Island Classic is a great event, so with it being the 25th anniversary, it feels like a good time to come back and give it a go.”

While Corser is making his International Challenge debut – now to be known as the MV Agusta International Challenge – for Aussie veteran Martin, who is a CycleOnline.com.au test rider, it will be his ninth-consecutive appearance.

“It’s always a special time of year, being part of Team Australia celebrating Australia Day and racing motorcycles,” said 48-year-old Martin, the 1999 Australian Superbike champion and 2009 World Endurance champion. He topped the individual standings on debut back in 2010.

“We have a new line-up this year with Corser coming on-board, making it one of the most competitive teams we have ever had. We need it too, because the Poms have a team full of current British Superbike wannabes and then there’s Jeremy. He’s a bit fast for my liking, but I especially hate the fact he’s such a good bloke!”

Martin and Giles will ride their trusty Suzuki Katanas in the 2018 International Challenge, while Corser will be the only Aussie riding a Honda. Phillis will campaign a Suzuki XR69, Beaton and Donald will be Irving Vincent-mounted, Byrne will pilot a Macintosh Suzuki, Johnson will have a Ducati 750 Imola at his disposal, Webster will be on a Suzuki Harris machine and Watson has the Yamaha TZ750 two-stroke in his corner.

All nine riders can take part in qualifying, but the Aussie team will be trimmed to eight for the four International Challenge races against the same sized teams from the United Kingdom, the Colin Edwards-led American outfit and New Zealand.

The MV Agusta International Challenge is held over four races on the Island Classic weekend, reserved for machines manufactured between 1973 and 1984. Last year, the ruthless UK outfit retained the International Challenge trophy ahead of Australia, Ireland, America and New Zealand.

UK guru McWilliams won the Ken Wootton Perpetual Trophy ahead of Aussies Jed Metcher and Giles – as well as setting a new historic lap record – but his push for a clean-sweep of victories was scuppered by a flying Phillis in the final race.

The International Challenge forms just a small part of the overall Island Classic event, with over 50 races for bikes from pre-WW1 bikes (Veteran) through to Vintage (1920-1945), Classic (1946-1962), Post Classic (1963-1972), Forgotten Era (1973-1982) and New Era (1983-1999).

Tickets are on now sale at www.islandclassic.com.au, with an advance three-day adult pass for $80 and children 15 and under free. Add on-circuit camping for four nights for $75 per person, purchased in advance.

VIP options are available in the Club Classic Hospitality suite above pit lane, while tickets are also available for the 25th Anniversary Gala Dinner presented by MV Agusta, featuring the greatest road racer of all time, Giacomo Agostini, as well as Corser and Edwards. Alan Cathcart will be the MC.