History of British Superbike
In the early days of motorcycle racing, sponsors would group up with individual circuits to create championships. They enticed top GP riders with large start-money bonuses, to add credence and attract spectators. This resulted in a fragmented racing calendar with no clear leading series.
Much has changed since then. Most riders are contracted to one team and the teams focus on one series. The championships are now hierarchal with the British Superbike Championship being the top UK series.
The first British road racing ‘championship’ took place in 1958, the ‘ACU Road Racing Stars Championship’, and consisted of one race. The championship became a season-long series in 1966. This evolved, becoming a multi-class championship, under different guises, with a variety of title sponsors, by the 1980’s. In 1989 superbike machines ran in the Shell Oils ACU Supercup Series, whilst their cousin GP machines competed in the TT Formula 1 (Morrison, 1991). From these the BSB series evolved. The titles have changed several times; The H.E.A.T. Supercup Series (1994-5), the MCN British Superbike Championship (1996-2002), The British Superbike Championship, powered by Halls (2003). Since 2004 the series has been named ‘The Bennett’s British Superbike Championship’.
The last 10 years has seen a dramatic growth in the BSB industry, partly propelled by increased television coverage, interest in motorcycles as a leisure pursuit and by increasing popularity in extreme sports. Motorcycle sales are increasing, benefiting from escalating personal disposable incomes. Superbike popularity has also been boosted by the success of British World Champions such as Carl Fogarty, Neil Hodgson and JamesToseland. The series has also benefited from the increased use, and professional management, of sponsorship as a marketing tool.
The British Superbike Championship Today
The British Superbike Championship (BSB) is the UK’s leading domestic series. There are similar national championships held all over the world.
The BSB is often cited as the most successful, popular and competitive domestic series in the world, attracting a depth of talent said to challenge the World Superbike series. Honda, Suzuki, Kawasaki Yamaha, Ducati, and Triumph are all represented; making the championship the world’s most comprehensively backed series.
BSB race machines vary from their Grand Prix cousins in that they are essentially all production motorcycles, modified in compliance with the rules set by the organisers, the MCRCB (Motorcycle Racing Control Board), to produce highly-tuned, race-specific machines, which resemble on-road models.
The 2007 series is organised by the MCRCB and consists of thirteen rounds, held across England, Scotland and Ireland. There are six classes; The British Superbike Championship, The British Supersport Championship, The National Superstock Championship, The National Superstock Cup, The British 125ccGP, and The Yamaha R6 Cup. Points are awarded to the top fifteen across the line. These are accumulated and totalled to determine the overall British Champions.
