BSB: National circuit being considered for Silverstone round

The ninth round of the 2018 Bennetts British Superbike Championship could be run on Silverstone’s national circuit next weekend after the cancellation of this year’s British Grand Prix.

All racing was abandoned at Silverstone this past weekend after standing water on the circuit led to MotoGP bikes aquaplaning on their out-lap, despite the racing having been moved earlier in the day to avoid the worst of the weather.

While the long term forecast for the BSB round is looking positive, MCN understands race boss Stuart Higgs is considering switching the event from the 3.6-mile Grand Prix layout to the 1.6-mile national configuration, therefore removing some of the worst-affected areas for standing water.

Using the national pits, which BSB uses anyway, the national configuration runs as far as Becketts before turning right and back onto the Wellington straight.

Higgs along with the ACU’s Paul King was spotted assessing where Becketts loops round to the Wellington straight on Sunday evening following the cancelled Grand Prix. MCN understands several riders and teams have been consulted about the plan. 

UPDATE: It has now been confirmed that BSB will use the national circuit – full statement  here.