Circuit switch
After Brit GP disaster, BSB moves to National circuit
The fallout from the 2018 British Grand Prix continued last week with Bennetts British Superbike Championship organisers taking drastic action to avoid a repeat of the situation at the ninth round this weekend. Instead of using Silverstone’s full, 3.66-mile Grand Prix layout, BSB bosses have announced this weekend’s event will be contested over the 1.64-mile National Circuit, which removes the areas most-affected by standing water during the GP weekend; Hangar straight, Stowe and Vale.
The shorter circuit starts at the national pits and follows the course to the Maggotts/ Becketts chicane, where it loops round to the right and back onto the Wellington straight, down towards Brooklands, Luffield and then ends with Woodcote. Series organisers MSV issued a statement that said: “Following the MotoGP cancellation last weekend, there is understandable concern about the implications for the Bennetts British Superbike championship event.” “While Silverstone rejects the speculation about the state of sections of the asphalt on the Grand Prix Circuit, they are conducting an investigation and have already engaged an independent track consultant for that purpose.
“While this process is ongoing, uncertainty over Bennetts BSB’s use of the Grand Prix Circuit is unhelpful for teams, riders and fans. It is has been agreed between the BSB promoter and organiser, MSVR, its governing body, the MCRCB, and Silverstone Circuit to use this as an opportunity to take a decisive and positive step and run the event on the National Circuit for the first time.”
With TV cabling and track setup starting last week, a decision had to be made well in advance, much to the annoyance of many BSB riders, but MCN understands series bosses had little choice with their insurers expressing concerns after the Grand Prix debacle.
All BSB free practice sessions will be extended so teams and riders can familiarise themselves with the new layout, which has never been used for BSB before, and race distance has been extended to 30 laps.