BSB boss on '07

We caught up with BSB Race Director Stuart Higgs at the NEC Racing Car Show and asked him about the prospects for the 2007 season.

MCN: We had a great 2006 season in BSB. How is the 2007 season shaping up?

Higgs: At least as good as 2006, if not better because there’s some exciting new dimensions to the championship. We’ve got Chris Walker returning from WSB on a Rizla Suzuki. We’ve got the progression of the most exciting batch of young talent in over a decade. Mix them all with the established riders and you’ve an eclectic mix of a grid line-up that’s as exciting as any racing series in the world. Look how Pedrosa and Stoner shook up the established names in motoGP. Well we could see young guns like Cal Cruthclow and Leon Camier doing the same this year in BSB.

MCN: But there have been some casualties like Glen Richards, Scott Smart and young Ben Wilson. They don’t seem to have rides sorted yet. How do you feel about that?

Higgs: It’s sad but just like MotoGP there comes a time when there’s a changing of the guard. Some of the established names move on and are replaced by exciting new young riders.

MCN: BSB is strong, but what about the support classes?

Higgs: We’re impressed by the depth of talent in all the classes. We’re bearing the fruits of having had real stability in the championships for a number of years.

MCN: We had double points at the final Brands BSB round last year. Will you do that again in 2007?

Higgs: The double points were introduced for Brands because we lost Mondello Park due to bad weather. As we’re anticipating a full series this year we won’t continue with double points for the final round.

MCN: Shane Byrne’s crash at Brands stopped the penultimate race of the season prematurely and the championship was decided virtually there and then in Ryuichi Kiyonari’s favour. You said then that such a situation should never occur in BSB – where a red flag caused the end of the race. Do you stand by that?

Higgs: Yes. We have changed the rules so if we have to use the safety car in the last two thirds of a race, then the first three laps of the safety car won’t count towards race distance. As BSB races are shorter than any WSB races we don’t anticipate any problems with the bikes running low on fuel capacity.

MCN: What are the plans for TV coverage of the series this year?

Higgs: ITV will show all BSB races live. Sky will show them the same day, delayed. And there will be further coverage with the details to be revealed at a later date.

MCN: The series continues to prosper but what plans are in place to protect its future well-being?

Higgs: Pretty much what we’ve already publicised in terms of regulations. We’ll be going to the new rules platform in 2008 – with superbike chassis and supersport engines. The aim is to reduce engine modifications and therefore costs.

MCN: There’s been rumours of control tyres coming to BSB. What’s happening with the tyre regulations in future?

Higgs: We’re implementing tyre restrictions this year to eliminate the need for qualifying tyres and reduce costs. Riders can only use six rear tyres across the three free practice sessions and only three during the 50-minute timed qualifying session. Riders can still use a qualifier but they can’t really risk it because the tyre allocation is so limited. In fact we expect most riders to use qualifying as another opportunity to determine race tyre choice. The new restrictions mean a saving of between four to five tyres per rider for a top team.

MCN: We’re at the Racing Car Show. What could BSB or motorcycling in general learn from such an impressive show as this?

Higgs: It is impressive that the four-wheel motosport sector can command such an event. But there are a lot more support services and engineering companies associated with car racing. I think BSB could benefit having a precence here but the simple fact is that while this might be a big show, it doesn’t translate into getting people to the circuits. BSB continues to outperform all other motorsports in the UK in term of spectator attendances.