WSB: 2018 calendar begins to take shape

The 2018 WorldSBK calendar is starting to take shape, although still highly provisional at this time.

The new San Juan track in Argentina will host a round but only if it is ready in time.  If it’s not, Jerez will step in as the reserve circuit once again. The South American track is ready but the rest of the facilities are the potential hold-up.

The possibility of Lausitzring making a re-appearance is now very remote given the circuit has been brought by a private firm who wish to use it solely as a test venue, and while another round in Germany is maybe possible, it’s not at all likely. It’s expected Brno will step into this slot.

The season begins as always in Australia on the final weekend of February. Buriram is not expected to follow on directly after, but the exact date is to be confirmed. It will probably be later in March this time, and definitely not just one weekend after Australia.

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There is a desire to pull the Magny Cours round forward in the year to enjoy better weather and also to stop the final round in Losail running into November, as it does this season. Magny Cours bosses want to keep it more or less where it is, but as it almost clashes with the Bol d’Or it seems a wise move to go earlier if the Endurance race even starts to threaten the very healthy Magny Cours WorldSBK round. Dorna are also keen to fill the big gap that has been the summer break in recent years.

Only a few rounds have a provisional date right now, as negotiations are still on going with most for exactly when their races will take place. 

Provisional WorldSBK Calendar 2018

26/27^th February – Australia – Phillip Island

Mid-late March – Thailand – Buriram

April – Aragon – Spain

April – Assen – Netherlands

April/May – Imola – Italy (some indicate Imola before Assen, but probably not)

26/27th May – Donington – UK

9/10th June – Brno – Czech Republic

June – Misano – Riviera Di Rimini

Early July – Laguna Seca – USA

Early September – San Juan Argentina (Jerez will replace if new circuit not ready).

Magny Cours – France – hoping to be moved earlier in the season than now.

Mid-September – Portimao – Portugal

Mid-October – Losail – Qatar

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