WSB heads to Indonesia in 2013

The World Superbike calendar is set to expand to 15 rounds in 2013 following confirmation that there will be a race at the Sentul circuit in Indonesia next year.

Series owners Infront Motor Sports have signed a five year deal with the circuit they last raced at 15 years ago. The news that the series will swell to 15 rounds follows the expansion to 14 rounds in 2012 due to the new Russian round set to be staged at the Moscow Raceway on 24th to 26th August 2012.

Infront Motorsport president Maurizio Flammini said: “We are proud of the growth of the Superbike calendar, which thanks to the inclusion of the latest rounds is obtaining a presence in countries of major importance for the development of our championship on a sporting and commercial level.

“After Russia, where Superbike has now arrived before any other world motorsport championship, thanks to more than two years of intense work in the Asian area, we have now been able to insert Indonesia, which has in the past already played host to a race of considerable success and appeal, in the calendar.”

Flammini was keen to point out the huge potential Indonesia has to offer and also gave an insight into plans for even further expansion with a race in India – possibly as early as 2013.

He said: “Indonesia today is a country with the largest growth factors: GDP is more than one trillion dollars, with a 2011 growth of more than 6%, and the sale of bikes widely exceeds 7 million units per year. The Superbike race will therefore be a great opportunity for the motorcycle manufacturers present in our championship.

“We are also negotiating with the Buddh International Circuit in India, where the Formula 1 race was recently held, in order to complete a presence in Asia that in this case will be absolutely extraordinary”.
 
In 2010 there was a total of 7,400,000 units sold and that figure is estimated at being 10% higher 2011. One additional reason for the massive popularity is the fact that the Government provides subsidies for fuel used in two wheeled vehicles. Subsides that are not available for cars.