BSB popularity increase

Record audience figures watched the 2006 Bennetts British Superbike Championship as the battle for the title went down to the wire.

Figures for both television audiences and spectators attending race meetings have both increased.

ITV1 audiences were in excess of 1.5m viewers, while 45,600 headed to the final round at Brands Hatch in September to soak up the thrills, drama and excitement.

Figures from audited viewing statistics show an average audience of 962,000 per round, which works out to 11,552,000 over the season.

Throughout the season, Superbikes were consistently more popular than the British Touring Car Championship and were also aired to 270,000 viewers on Sky Sports.

Spectators heading to the circuits for Superbikes also significantly increased, with 317,100 attending the twelve rounds an average of 26,425. This is around 2000 up on the previous year, despite bad weather at three meetings, and the loss Mondello Park because of torrential rain.
Quality bikes for sale: Click here.

Bike reviews: Click here.

Product reviews: Click here.
Tony Partis, the managing director of Dorna UK, the commercial rights holders of the championship, said: “The figures speak for themselves. We have a compelling product that has wide ranging appeal and is taking our sport to a whole new audience, who importantly are showing that they want more of the same.”

The 2007 season begins at Brands Hatch on Easter Monday 9 April, with coverage again on both ITV1 and Sky Sports.