British Superbikes - everything you need to know: Teams, tracks, TV schedule, odds, favourites
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ByEurosport
Updated 28/03/2018 at 09:28 GMT
With the British Superbikes season due to get underway on March 31, check out our guide to the event which explains everything you need to know...
Shane Byrne of Be Wiser Ducati Racing Team celebrates with his wife after winning the British Superbike Championship for the sixth time at the finale at Brands Hatch
Image credit: Getty Images
When does the season start and finish?
As with last season, the first race weekend is at Donington Park on Easter weekend from March 31- April 2. There is a mid-season break following the first visit to Oulton Park from May 5-7 and the regular season ends on the September 7-9 at Silverstone where there will be a triple header.
The first race of The Showdown sees a return to Oulton Park on September 14-16 followed by round two on September 28-30 in Assen and round three on October 12-14 in Brands Hatch - scene of arguably the most dramatic final weekend in BSB history last year, where Shakey Byrne clinched his sixth title.
Find the full calendar here.
Why are there (usually) three days for the events?
The first day is practice, the second day is qualifying and the third day is when the two races happen. During the two ‘triple headers’ - in Silvertsone and Brands Hatch - there is an additional race that follows a three-part qualifying session (usually on the Saturday).
The Showdown? Sounds dramatic, but what is it?
It is the final three events of the season, featuring seven races, where the top six riders from the regular campaign compete for the title of British Super Bikes champion. The concept was introduced in 2010 following Leon Carnier’s sensational win the previous year where he took the title with four races to spare.
How does the scoring system work?
The top six are decided through number of race wins, with 25 points for the victor and then 20, 16, 13, 11, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 awarded to the next 14 riders.
At the end of the season, all riders drop their two worst scores (from events in which they have qualified), with the top six riders with the most points then put forward to The Showdown. The Title Fighters are awarded 500 points plus extra points for each podium place they have achieved until that stage – 5 for a win, 3 for second and 1 for third. The original scoring system then resumes for the seven races that follow.
(The remainder of the riders not in The Showdown, compete for the BSB Riders' Cup where they simply add to their existing points tally from the original season).
How can I watch all this action?
It will all be live on Eurosport and Eurosport Player, beginning with the Donington Park opener, that unusually, compared with other race weekends, has races on the Sunday and Monday, due to Easter.
What are the teams?
Here are the line-ups:
Be Wiser Ducati
- Shane Byrne
- Glenn Irwin
JG Speedfit Bournemouth Kawasaki
- Leon Haslam
- Luke Mossey
Honda Racing
- Jason O'Halloran
- Dan Linfoot
Tyco BMW
- Christian Iddon
- Michael Laverty
Anvil Hire Tag Yamaha
- James Ellison
- Shaun Winfield
Buildbase Suzuki
- Bradley Ray
- Richard Cooper
Smiths Racing BMW
- Peter Hickman
- Sylvain Barrier
RAF Regular and Reserves Kawasaki
Jake Dixon
CF Motorsport Yamaha
Kyle Ryde
OMG Racing Suzuki
Gino Rea
FS-3 Kawasaki
Danny Buchan
McAMS Yamaha
- Josh Brookes
- Tarran McKenzie
Moto Rapido Ducati
Taylor Mackenzie
Aaron Zanotti Racing Kawasaki
Aaron Zanotti
Team WD-40 Kawasaki
Mason Law
Gearlink Kawasaki
Carl Phillips
Movuno.com Halsall Racing Suzuki
Tommy Bridewell
PR Racing Lloyd & Jones Bowker Mororrad BMW
Jakub Smrz
Ridersmotorcycles BMW
Martin Jessopp
Silicone Engineering Racing Kawasaki
Dean Harrison
Who are the favourites?
Six-time champion Shane 'Shakey' Byrne will be focused on extending his record number of titles this season on his Be Wiser Ducati but will have to contend, once again, with Leon Haslam, who he narrowly beat last season after the Kawasaki rider came off his bike in a dramatic crash in the final race.
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Horror crash ends Leon Haslam’s title hopes
The 34-year-old, son of three-times world champion Ron, is still searching for his first title after going into the final weekend of last season with a 33-point lead, only to finish third - six points behind Byrne and three behind Josh Brookes.
The Australian, who won the 2015 title, will also be in the mix, having effectively switched seats for this year's championship, with Brookes moving to McAMS Yamaha, and the Briton going in the other direction to TAG Yamaha.
However, the 2017 season was an incredibly open affair, with the number of different race winners in double figures, and there is no reason to believe it will be different this time around.
Jake Dixon, who was mentored by Byrne, is another rider to keep an eye on after his rise to prominence last season - where he took the double at Knockhill.
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