Since 1990 the Phillip Island round of the FIM Superbike World Championship has been celebrated every year bar one (1993), making it the longest-running single event in the championship's history. This year in fact the Phillip Island public will have the chance to watch a full 12-race programme of Superbike, Supersport and Australian domestic championship races.

The opening round will see five home born and bred riders line up for the Superbike race, starting with Troy Corser, who has been a permanent presence at the Victoria State circuit for 17 years with five wins to his name. The last one came in 2005 with a double win on a Suzuki.

Alongside Corser on the grid will be fellow Aussie Chris Vermeulen (Kawasaki Racing Team), who returns to racing after missing the second half of the 2010 season due to an injury to his right knee.

Making his debut amongst the Superbike ranks will be Mark Aitchison, the new signing for the Pedercini Team, and two former national ASBK champions: Josh Waters (Yoshimura Suzuki) and Bryan Staring, again on a Kawasaki Pedercini machine.

There will also be Australian representation in Supersport with title candidate Broc Parkes racing for Kawasaki Provec Motocard.com) and Mitchell Pirotta on a Honda KUJA Racing, who line up in an almost 30-strong grid.