Dunlop’s top specification N-Tec slicks will be return to the Australian Superbike Championship in 2011, with series promoter International Entertainment Group confirming the news late this afternoon.

The highly expensive UK-built N-Tec tyres will replace the D211GP Racer slick in the Superbike category next season, with a revised allocation of four rears and three fronts allowed per round. Superpole qualifiers will be permitted another set of tyres “at their discretion”.

“These suggested changes where considered and made after a meeting with industry figure heads, several teams, riders and officials got together,” a statement from IEG director Yarrive Konsky said.

“Several riders, teams and industry figure heads suggested that the current tyre being used by the Superbike class specifically be changed in an effort to provide riders with a tyre that matched their abilities and motorcycles performance.”

There will be just one size of control tyre available in two different compounds for next season, with a special Phillip Island-spec tyre becoming the lone tyre homologated for that circuit.

N-Tec tyres will be available for testing by mid-December according to IEG.

The new-look Prostock 1000 category – formerly Superstock 1000 – will remain on the D211GP Racer slick, all grades in that class set to be run separately to the Superbikes. Three rears and two fronts will be allocated for Prostock competitors.

Supersport will also feature an additional front tyre in the allocation for 2011, however no details have been released whether they’ll remain on the GP-A tyre or revert to N-Tecs.

In other ASBK news, the suggested plan of implementing an age limit and permitting B-grade riders in the category has been abandoned for 2011.