Image: Russell Colvin.

It’s stacking up to be a super-scorcher, with massive entry lists confirmed today for the national classes supporting the world categories in 24-26 February’s opening Yamaha Finance round of the 2017 Superbike World Championship at Phillip Island.

With 147 riders lining up for the four national classes – Australian Superbike, Supersport, Supersport 300 and Historics – grids in Superbikes and Supersport 300 are actually oversubscribed and riders will have to be at the best from the word go to make the race cut.

Adding to the pressure, riders in Superbike, Supersport and Supersport 300 will be facing the first round of their seven round national championship, so a shocker in qualifying to miss the start grid would spell disaster for a season launch.

It’s all adding up to a spectacular three days of on-track bike action. Sixteen races will be run, comprising the three world championship events in WorldSBK and WorldSSP, three races apiece for domestic Superbike, Supersport and Supersport 300, plus four outings for the historic bikes of yesteryear.

The Australian Superbike Championship has enjoyed a renaissance in the last couple of years, and the popularity of the class is reflected in 43 riders enlisted. And what a line-up across the three 12-lap Yamaha Finance races, with experienced hands like reigning champion Troy Herfoss, Wayne Maxwell, Glenn Allerton, Bryan Staring, Josh Waters, Matt Walters, Cru Halliday, Robbie Bugden, Alex Phillis, Daniel Falzon and Beau Beaton.

They’ll all lock horns and face an onslaught from the young stars like Michael Blair, Callum Spriggs and Troy Guenther. Blair was the fastest in a recent ASBK test at Phillip Island ahead of Allerton, Falzon and Maxwell.

Aussie Supersport has attracted 35 entries, with Luke Mitchell the most highly credentialed following his third place in the 2016 championship. Mark Chiodo appears the man to beat though after setting a cracking pace at the recent Phillip Island test session.

Qualifying alone will throw up a challenge for the Supersport 300 competitors, with 48 riders entered! The burgeoning class is proving to be a magnet for experienced riders and emerging talent alike, with a number of the rookies coming straight from dirt track competition. WorldSBK icon Troy Bayliss’ son Oli will be one of the riders in the three eight-lap races.

Finally, the majority of the 21 riders in Historics will be backing up from the recent Island Classic meeting, including Chas Hern, Dean Oughtred and Craig Ditchburn – the trio most likely to be circulating at the pointy end in the four six-lappers.

Meanwhile, the two 22-lap WorldSBK races will be held at 3:00pm on Saturday and Sunday, with WorldSSP starting at 1:30pm on Sunday.

Tickets for the Yamaha Finance round of the WorldSBK are available through Ticketek, with a three-day general admission pass costing $120 – a saving of $35 over the gate price. BarSBK passes, for undercover viewing locations at some of the most spectacular parts of the circuit, are $260, while adult single-day passes cost $30 for Friday, $65 for Saturday and $80 for Sunday.

Camping is available for up to four nights for $105. Best of all, children aged 15 and under are in for free, making the event affordable for families of all sizes. For tickets visit www.ticketek.com.au. For more information ring the Superbike Hotline on 1300 728 007 or visit www.worldsbk.com.au.

Click here to download the Superbike entry list

Click here to download the Supersport entry list

Click here to download the Supersport 300 entry list

Click here to download the Historics entry list