As expected, MotorSport Vision has confirmed that it has agreed a long-term deal with the Motorcycle Circuit Racing Control Board to become responsible for the organisation and promotion of the British Superbike Championship with immediate effect.
MSV, owned by former
Formula 1 driver Jonathan Palmer, already has a key part to play in the BSB as owners of the Cadwell Park,
Brands Hatch,
Oulton Park and
Snetterton circuits and will now take over from Dorna UK as commercial rights holder to the series in a ten-year deal effective immediately.
Dorna Sports, which also holds the commercial rights to
MotoGP, took over the commercial rights deal from BMP at the start of 2004 in a deal that was due to last until 2009.
"The British Superbike Championship is Britain's most popular motor sport attracting big crowds at the circuits and large audiences on television," Palmer said. "On purchasing the circuits in 2004, as soon as I saw my first BSB race I was completely hooked – the racing is incredibly close and full of drama. The top riders really are heroes
"We are very appreciative of the investment Dorna has put into BSB over the last four years and look forward to continuing to expand the championship in the future."
The BSB will now be run by MSVR, MotorSport Vision's racing division, from its Brands Hatch base, while Stuart Higgs will remain as series director.
"Jonathan Palmer and MotorSport Vision have already contributed greatly since the start of their involvement in 2004 in both the development and the direction of the championship," he said. "This migration into the position of rights holder combines their high standards of operation, presentation and forward thinking together with the strengths and the potential that the entire British Superbike championship platform clearly has.
"I am tremendously excited about the new structure and the opportunities that lie ahead."
Half of the twelve events that make up the 2008 schedule will take place at MSV circuits.
