Expect to see a record-breaking line-up on the start grid for the opening round of the MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship at Donington Park on Easter Monday, as upwards of 40 riders could be scrapping for honours.

The organisers have published a detailed listing of 33 riders, with around half a dozen entries in the pipeline, including series regulars from last season who have yet to complete the paperwork.

There is also a good chance that road racers like Michael Dunlop, who has just signed a deal to ride for Milwaukee Yamaha, will take the opportunity to wild-card at some of the races, which raises the bar to an unprecedented 40-strong entry.

The previous highest was 34, but that will be bettered as the series, under the stewardship of series director Stuart Higgs, continues to flourish: “We are certainly heading towards the high-30s and if suggestions about wild-card rides for roads’ specialists in the early rounds come to fruition we may reach 40 on occasion. We are hoping Jenny continues full time. She really deserves an opportunity of good equipment. I would also like to see 2013 champion Alex Lowes make an appearance if circumstances allow,” said Higgs.

The ‘big names’ are all back for more. Shane Byrne heads the entry as he continues with Paul Bird’s Kawasaki team in a bid for a fifth crown, but he will come under fire from three-time title winner Ryuichi Kiyonari and former MotoGP rider Michael Laverty. Tommy Bridewell switches to Tyco BMW to challenge his former team-mate Josh Brookes, who again rides for Milwaukee Yamaha.

There Honda team returns, fresh from a sabbatical last term, which it used to regroup and develop its Fireblades into championship-winning bikes in the hands of Jason O’Halloran, Dan Linfoot and Jenny Tinmouth. Supersport champion Billy McConnell returns to the top-flight as Smiths debut with BMW. The young guns will also have big opportunities. Taylor Mackenzie and Jack Kennedy front the WD-40 Kawasaki challenge while Lee Jackson rides for Buildbase BMW and Superstock title winner Danny Buchan rides the Be Wiser Kawasaki, with housewives’ favourite Chris Walker across the garage.

It is a compelling mix of youth and experience but one that should again produce the goods in terms of hard riding and race action through the pack, something that Higgs is enthusiastic about: “A few keyboard warriors have called BSB an old man’s class, but I think our audience likes the mix of youth versus experience. At the end of the day it is not about age, it’s about being fast enough. With today’s fitness levels, it’s possible to race at the highest level for much longer than in the past.”

The series is reaping the benefits of the forward planning and cost-effectiveness it introduced several years ago. Higgs explains: “The stable regulations have been key. We set out our stall that 2012– 2016 was completely defined and the level to reach to put a competitive bike on the grid was accessible for private teams. The contained geography of where we race combined with international media and TV visibility is also key to success.

“The mix of BSB circuit lengths does mean some variation to the maximum number of starters. Its 40 to race everywhere except Brands Hatch Indy (38), Knockhill and Cadwell (36). At those three circuits we are also considering a pre-qualifying solution.

“We’ve regularly accepted 32 riders in the 20-minute Q1 session and we will likely cap it at that with the overall results of the three free practices determining the fastest 32 to go into Q1. P33 upwards would have their grid positions for the first race established from the free practices classification.”

The competition promises to be intense, as BSB lives up to its tag as the world’s toughest domestic racing series.

The full-season rookies in 2015