Source: Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit.

Local hard charger Steve Martin is confident that Australia will more than meet the threat of a strengthened United Kingdom outfit when the International Challenge teams’ trophy is held at the 2014 International Island Classic at Phillip Island from 24-26 January.

Squads were recently announced for the marquee event of the Classic, the Tahbilk International Challenge, featuring teams from Australia, the UK, the USA and New Zealand.

Martin is one of 12 riders in the Australian team at the now-iconic historic motorcycle meeting, alongside such luminaries as Shawn Giles, Rob Phillis, Cam Donald, Malcolm Campbell and Beau Beaton, who all competed at the 2013 event.

But it wasn’t only the top-tier practitioners who helped Australia continue its unbeaten run in the 2013 Challenge – its extraordinary depth also played a vital role, as it has since the trophy was inaugurated back in 2005.

That ‘loophole’ has now been closed in 2014, with the winning country to be determined according to points accumulated by the top five riders in each country across the four six-lap races. Previously, points – or a lack thereof – were awarded to all 10 riders in the team.

The rule changes will give the visiting teams, the United Kingdom, the Dave Crussell-led US team and New Zealand under the helm of Kevin Grey, a real chance of winning in 2014.

This is especially true for the UK outfit which has been fortified with the inclusion of Isle of Man legend John McGuinness to compete alongside Jeremy McWilliams, the individual winner in two of the last three years.

Plus the UK will feature fellow blue-chip talent Gary Johnson, Mike Edwards and Steve Brogan. McGuinness is a 20-time winner at the Isle of Man, second only to the incomparable Joey Dunlop.

Martin senses a UK storm is brewing, but he still believes the Aussies have too much class.

“The Poms keep on changing the rules until they win, so they’ll have to win eventually,” he said, tongue firmly in cheek. “I’m all for it. Bring them over, they can have the strongest team they want. We’ve still got a great depth of riders.

“It’s great news to hear that John McGuinness is coming out next year. They may have the big names, but they have still got to put down the lap times. One thing’s for sure – I am not gonna let McGuinness beat me!”

Last year, Australia’s Shawn Giles won the individual component of the 2013 International Challenge ahead of McWilliams, Donald and another Aussie, Michael Dibb. The icing on the cake for Giles was a new historic lap record of 1m36.920 – tearing strips off Martin’s former mark of 1m38.666 set in 2012.

The 12-rider Australian squad for the 2014 Tahbilk International Challenge will eventually be trimmed to 10 for the races by Aussie captain Rex Wolfenden. The same number of pilots will also compete for the UK, New Zealand and American teams.

The Tahbilk International Challenge competitors are on track all three days of competition with two races scheduled for Saturday and two races for Sunday.

Tickets are family priced, with children 15 and under, accompanied by an adult free. Adult three-day GA is $70, Adult Sunday only GA is $45. On circuit camping, purchased in advance is from $55 per adult, with kids 15 and under, accompanied by a paying adult free.

Tickets are available by downloading a ticket form at www.islandclassic.com.au, by calling the circuit on 03 5952 2710, or at the gate.