Monza undergoes safety inspection with view to 2015 return

World Superbike organisers have carried out a safety assessment this week at the Autodromo Nazionale Monza, with the aim being to bring the iconic track back to the championship for 2015.

The meeting, consisting of circuit management, WSB safety inspectors Igor Eskinja and Frank Vayssié, and series sporting director Gregorio Lavilla, met to consider a number of modifications to the track to bring it back to standard, including expanding the available run-off at key corners.

However, circuit owners SIAS may have a battle on their hands to dramatically change the circuit layout; the track’s role as home of the Italian Formula One Grand Prix means that any changes will also have to go through the FIA’s approval process.

The track has come under fire in recent years due to its tight nature and declining lack of run-off area as superbikes get faster and faster. The last major modifications came in the late nineties, to increase the size of gravel traps in a response to the tragic death of Ayrton Senna at Imola.

The first chicane is seen as particularly dangerous for bike racing; coming at the end of the main straight, it has led to a number of collisions on opening laps as riders vie for track space.

Italy will host two races in 2014, at Imola and Misano.