The 2011 Yamaha Australian Off Road Championship will cast an all star line-up this season as some of the biggest names in world off-road assemble to challenge for the title.

With less than a fortnight to go until racing kicks off at the opening rounds in Buladelah, NSW, on 26-27 February, the new season of AORC is on target to become the biggest yet.

Reigning champion Toby Price, multiple world champion Stefan Merriman and multiple national champion Ben Grabham, will return once again, this year set to be challenged by international Aussies Chris Hollis and Glen Kearney – both who have returned from racing in Europe and the USA respectively.

They’ll also be joined by the likes of; Jarrod Bewley, Stefan Granquist, Polish export Bartosz Oblucki, former champion AJ Roberts, Geoff Braico, young guns Luka Bussa, Matt Ryan and Matt Phillips, along with Jess Gardiner heading up with Women’s title fight.

Ballard’s Yamaha Off Road team manager and reigning Masters Champ Geoff Ballard said he excited to see so many top riders competing in 2011.

“I’m pretty excited for a number of reasons,” Ballard said. “We’ve never seen this many top riders in the Australian championship at one time – we’ve got some top guys coming back from Europe and America, and some talent coming out from Europe. The field is the strongest it’s ever been.

“I believe it’s really going to be on this year – if anyone can get in the top 10 they’re going extremely well so we’re keen for it to get started!”

Also enthused about the rider line-up for 2011 is Motorex KTM Off Road Team manager Brad Williscroft.

“The field will be good for competition this year for sure,” Williscroft said. “It’s great to have the best riders racing – it makes it better for spectators, race fans and even the competitors themselves – if they do win, they know they’ve beaten some of the best riders around!”

Husqvarna Racing team manager Paul Feeney was happy to see the championship running in conjunction with the state championship rounds, and knows it’ll be a tough year if his team are going to win.

“I think running with the state rounds will be a good thing – the people who organise the state rounds always do a good job because their hearts are in it,” Feeney said.

“It’ll be good to get the extra numbers which will boost the championship, and it will also be good for the state riders to get a glimpse of where the national riders are at.

“As far as talent goes it’s by far the best year the Off Road has had – we’ve got a strong team this year, but it’s not going to be easy that’s for sure!”