BSB switches to Silverstone National circuit for Showdown decider

The Bennetts British Superbike championship will use Silverstone’s National circuit for its three-race Showdown decider following track issues which forced the cancellation of the British MotoGP round last weekend.

The 1.64-mile National circuit layout will be used rather than the Grand Prix circuit usually raced by BSB due to track concerns.

The British MotoGP saw all races canned on Sunday in heavy rain when the resurfaced circuit had insufficient drainage which caused safety worries which saw riders opted not to race following a safety commission meeting.

The cancellation of the MotoGP round – the first in 38 years – has triggered a six-week investigation at Silverstone with an independent track consultant which has caused uncertainty for BSB’s use of the Grand Prix track.

As a result, a decision by BSB promoter and organiser MSVR, its governing body MCRCB and Silverstone has opted to switch the round to use the National circuit layout for the first time.

Three 30-lap races will now be held on the National circuit which is regularly used by British and National championship motorcycle events plus British Touring Car Championship. Practice sessions have also been extended.

“I understand following the MotoGP cancellation this weekend there is an element of concern about the implications for BSB at Silverstone next week,” Silverstone’s managing director Stuart Pringle said in a statement. “We are conducting an investigation and have already engaged an independent track consultant for that purpose.

“To ensure a great weekend of racing, we have agreed with BSB and its governing body, the MCRCB, to use this as an opportunity to take a positive step and run BSB on the National Circuit for the first time.  It will tighten the racing right up, be an incredibly exciting spectacle for the fans and be something very different for the championship.”

Following the circuit issues at Silverstone, Aggregate Industries released a statement to Crash.net.

“We are working in close partnership with Silverstone and will be conducting a full review of the track resurfacing over the next few days to better understand the issues caused by the extremely wet conditions on Sunday. We will continue to make resources available to assist our client during this difficult period.”

Both Leon Haslam and Jake Dixon have already booked their BSB Showdown spots but four places in the top six will be decided at the Silverstone round.

The Silverstone BSB round will take place on the National circuit layout on September 7-9.