BSB restructures support classes, sets up Junior Supersport 300

The MCE British Superbike championship has reshaped its support classes to encourage a “development structure for upcoming young riders” with 2018 marking the start of the British Talent Cup and the Junior Supersport 300 class.

After the announcement of the British Talent Cup launch for 2018, with the series running alongside three BSB events, the British MotoGP and WSBK rounds plus a finale in Valencia, a restructuring of the production-based championship ladder has also been introduced for next season.

Haydn Cobb_1

16 Nov 2017

BSB restructures support classes, sets up Junior Supersport 300

The inaugural British Junior Supersport championship will effectively replace the KTM RC Cup by adopting the World Supersport 300 regulations to accept Yamaha, Kawasaki and Honda machinery alongside KTM. The series will be open to riders aged 14-22 and run for eight rounds in the BSB calendar.

Alongside the two new championships, the HEL Performance British Motostar championship retains its place in the support class schedule, split between two classes of GP and Honda standard machines, taking place at nine BSB rounds. The existing Ducati TriOptions Cup, Superstock 600, Supersport 600 and Superstock 1000 classes will also continue as support championships to BSB in 2018.

BSB series director Stuart Higgs says the changes have been specifically aimed at encouraging the youth ranks and progress in conjunction with working with Dorna to produce a path towards the world championship level to follow in the footsteps of the likes of Jonathan Rea, Cal Crutchlow and Sam Lowes.

“Britain has often been criticised for not having a coherent development class structure for the upcoming young riders, however this has now been corrected and completely revitalised with three diverse championships,” Higgs said.

“The association with Dorna for the British Talent Cup represents the best ever opportunity for young British talent to be scouted, developed and integrated into the World Championship career path. Having seen first-hand the presentation of the Asia Talent Cup, this will be something that will take British racing to new standards of recognition.

“The British Motostar Championship, whilst reduced in the number of championship events, does allow for some budget relief, is still our reference series with prime race event billing, live television coverage and exceptional grids. I’m very proud that both 2017 champions are moving to the next phase of International Talent Series promoted by Dorna.

“We are very excited about the new British Junior Supersport Championship; which will be another budget-friendly class and with new models coming from several manufacturers, will add diversity to this exciting form of racing that is developing across the world.

“Preceding all of this we will maintain our association with the Cool FAB Racing series which nurtures riders at an even earlier age. This series will also receive greater recognition in the future with a new very significant development which will further enhance its position and reputation.”

2018 British Talent Cup calendar:

31 March-2 April* Donington Park (BSB)

25-27 May Donington Park GP (WSBK)

16-18 June Snetterton 300 (BSB)

24-26 August Silverstone GP (MotoGP)

28–30 September Assen (BSB)

16-18 November Valencia (MotoGP)

*denotes Easter Monday raceday

Two championship races at each event

2018 HEL British Motostar Championship (Moto3 GP and Honda Moto3 Standard) calendar:

13-15 April Brands Hatch Indy

5-7 May Oulton Park