More ‘2+4’ plus a return to Western Australia feature on 2011 Australian Superbike calendar The Viking Group Australian Superbike Championship (ASBK) will be held over 8 rounds in 2011, with title contenders to wage war in the west once more as Perth’s Barbagallo Raceway makes a welcome return to the series. The season will begin on a world stage in February, with Phillip Island hosting the traditional opening round alongside the might of the World Superbike Championship from February 25-27. The momentum will be maintained as the ASBK heads south to the Apple Isle, and Launceston’s Symmons Plains, for round 2 just a week later. The 2010 ASBK Event of the Year, Hidden Valley Raceway in Darwin will host the third round of the series from April 14-17, building on the success of the inaugural standalone meet this year. May marks the return to Western Australia and Barbagallo Raceway, as well as the first of 2011’s three ‘2+4’ rounds alongside the V8 Supercar championship. Queensland Raceway will host rounds five and six of the championship, from June 3-5 and August 19-21 respectively. The second Sunshine state stoush will be run in conjunction with the V8 Supercars, and is expected to create plenty of interest as the two popular disciplines combine. The ‘2+4’ action continues as the series visits Tasmania’s Symmons Plains for the second time, and its penultimate round, from November 11-13. A standalone meeting a week later at Phillip Island will round out proceedings and crown new champions across all classes. Viking Group ASBK General Manager Daniel Hutchinson said the expansion to 8 rounds was an integral step in the growth of Australia’s premier road racing series. “We are pleased to announce the 2011 calendar and in doing so welcome Perth’s Barbagallo Raceway back to the championship, a move we’re sure will excite riders and fans based in Western Australia,” said Hutchinson. “The expansion of our partnership with V8 Supercars to three rounds is another significant step, and one that will result in increased exposure for riders, teams and their sponsors. “Standalone rounds in four separate states strengthens our commitment to bringing Australia’s best riders to as many trackside fans as possible. “We’re also looking forward to building on the momentum of our television partnership with Fox Sports and its dedicated motorsports channel, Speed TV.” The 2011 Viking Group Australian Superbike Championship calendar is as follows: 1. 25-27 February, Phillip Island VIC (World SBK). SBK/PST, SSP, SST 2. 4-6 March, Symmons Plains TAS. SBK, PST, SSP, SST, LIT 3. 14-17 April, Hidden Valley NT. SBK, PST, SSP, SST, LIT 4. 6-8 May, Barbagallo Raceway WA. (V8 Supercars) SBK/PST 5. 3-5 June, Queensland Raceway QLD. SBK, PST, SSP, SST, LIT 6. 19-21 August, Queensland Raceway QLD. (V8 Supercars) SBK/PST 7. 11-13 November, Symmons Plains TAS. (V8 Supercars) SBK/PST 8. 18-20 November, Phillip Island VIC. SBK, PST, SSP, SST, LIT SBK = Superbike, PST = Prostock (Superstock 1000), SSP = Supersport, SST = Superstock 600, SCR = Superside (Sidercars) LIT = Lites or 125GP/250mono, SMO = Supermoto, HMR = Historic Masters, AUC = Aussie Racing Cars