Jamie Stauffer will be a World Superbike wildcard contender at Phillip Island. Image: Keith Muir.

Team Honda Racing has confirmed that it will field 2013 riders Jamie Stauffer and Josh Hook in the opening round of the Superbike World Championship.

Stauffer will compete in the World Superbike races and Hook will be entered in the World Supersport races, starting off the 2013 racing season in style for Team Honda Racing.

The event will mark Stauffer’s World Superbike debut and the dual ASBK champion is looking forward to putting his years of experience to the test.

“My career has seen me race both in Australia and overseas and I have had a lot of success, but to have the chance to race against the world’s best Superbike riders starts my 2013 season off with a terrific challenge,” he said.

“I’m really excited about the prospect and I have every confidence that Team Honda Racing will provide me a strong set up in the CBR1000RR so that I can give it 110 percent and be competitive.”

Although Hook will compete on board a CBR1000RR in the Australian championship next year, the decision was made to enter the young racer in the World Supersport category. Hook’s experience in the domestic Supersport championship in 2012 where he finished second overall will see him a very strong contender in that category on the international scene.

“To start my year off at the World Superbikes competing as a wildcard alongside the world’s best Supersport riders is fantastic,” Hook commented.

“I know the guys at Team Honda Racing will be working hard to give me a competitive motorcycle to compete head to head in that world championship field and I’m really excited to have the opportunity to race as a wildcard.”

Team owner Paul Free is excited at the challenge that lays ahead, competing against the world’s best.

“We are currently doing quite a bit of research and looking into what is required to compete at the World Superbike event,” he explained. “The regulations are obviously different and the team will be doing quite a bit of testing on the Pirelli control tyres as it will take a bit of getting used to for both riders in their respective categories.

“The challenge is one we relish and I believe Jamie and Josh will both be very competitive. I hope spectators will be excited to have some local talent in both the World Superbike and World Supersport categories and will head to Phillip Island to support the team.”

Team Honda Racing fans can watch Jamie and Josh compete on the world stage in style at the 2013 World Superbike event in the Honda VIP Marquee. Meet the Honda riders and enjoy sweeping views of the circuit, elevated seating and full catering for all three days of the event.

Honda will ensure not a second of the fast paced action is missed by offering guests exclusive Friday Paddock access for autograph opportunities and Saturday Pit Walk passes. Guests will receive a special Honda souvenir gift and motorcycle parking is complimentary.

Located on Gardner Straight, the Honda VIP Marquee offers inside and outside seating, flat screen televisions inside the marquee and a direct view of the super screens outside.

Combining red carpet treatment with great value, exclusive Honda VIP Marquee packages are priced at $640 per person for three days.

Offering premium comfort and convenience, the exclusive Honda VIP Marquee will be fully catered with hot lunches, morning and afternoon tea, free non-alcoholic drinks are provide and there is a cash bar for alcoholic drinks.

Purchase tickets online, visit www.hondamotorcycles.com.au and click on the Events/Buy Tickets link.