Australian champion Wayne Maxwell at the Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix.

A Phillip Island Championship will be introduced in 2014, featuring events at the Australian rounds of World Superbike and MotoGP.

Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit and the Australian Grand Prix Corporation have joined forces to launch the championship, open to Australian Superbike, Prostock and Supersport competitors.

Traditionally, World Superbike and MotoGP have hosted their own set of standalone national-level support races at Phillip Island, but 2014 will mark the first time they have been combined under the one umbrella in a structured championship setting.

The new title chase will give local stars such as reigning Australian Superbike Champion Wayne Maxwell, Glenn Allerton, Josh Hook, Jamie Stauffer and Robbie Bugden an opportunity to take home some extra silverware in 2014, in front of big spectator numbers and the world’s leading motorcycle teams. .

“We’re excited about this initiative and the circuit has committed our resources to create a professional, well organised championship for the local classes,” said circuit managing director, Fergus Cameron.

“The Phillip Island Championship gives young Australian talent the chance to showcase their skills to the management, and let’s face it the selectors, of the world’s top motorcycle teams while ensuring our fans get first class back to back racing action.”

Australian Grand Prix Corporation CEO Andrew Westacott said that fans will be the major winner from this initiative.

“The Superbike/Prostock and Supersport categories have traditionally brought adrenaline pumping action to the Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix, and the opportunity to have them race each other in an organised championship setting will give even more excitement to the fans,” he said.

Australian Superbike and Prostock will combine to compete in two, 12-lap races while Australian Supersport will face two, 10-lap battles with a race scheduled for Saturday and race day Sunday for both classes.

The Phillip Island Championship will not count towards points in the Australian domestic road racing title, so riders who wish to compete as wildcards in the World Superbike and Supersport categories at Australia’s round of WSBK on 21-23 February will not adversely affect their national campaigns.

A decent prize purse is on offer – $9800 for Australian Superbike, $3000 for Australian Supersport and $2000 for Australian Prostock.

Entries are open for February’s WSBK round and close 24 January 2014, with entry forms and supplementary regulations at www.worldsbk.com.au and Motorcycling Australia’s website www.ma.org.au.

The 2014 Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix at Phillip Island, incorporating the Phillip Island Championship, will take place from 24-26 October. For more information, visit www.motogp.com.au.