Joerg Teuchert
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After a long winter break, in some ways unusual, The British Superbike is finally back in action for the first pre-season tests. Organized by the promoter MSVR and defined as the “BSB test visit “, four sessions spread over as many circuits, riders and teams from the country of Albion will have the opportunity to find their way and refine the set-up of their bikes from tomorrow. Two days of testing will take place on the “National†track at Silverstone in preparation for the seasonal debut scheduled for June 25-27.
Restart your engines!
The action at the circuit on the Northants-Bucks border represents the first test of 2021, as well as a direct confrontation between the usual upper-class protagonists of the British National Championship. In full compliance with the directives in force, which prohibited the use of motorcycles in BSB configuration from January 1 to April 12, last week, some teams finally lifted the curtain on their season. The VisionTrack PBM Ducati team (the favorites) completed a day of testing at Knockhill, during which defending champion Josh Brookes (main photo) took the opportunity to display the No.1 plaque on the fairing before his Panigale V4-R. Something similar could be said for the SYNETIQ BMW by TAS team, which traveled to Kirkistown with Danny Buchan and Andrew Irwin. with the aim of increasing the mileage useful for the development of the new M1000RR.
In addition to the considerable interest in the teams mentioned above, attention will also be paid to the Ninja ZX-10R 2021, is set to make his debut for Lee Jackson and the talented Rory Skinner (2020 British SS600 Champion) in FS-3 Racing. All without forgetting already established projects such as McAMS Yamaha with Jason O’Halloran (2020 finalist) and Tarran Mackenzie and the Honda Racing UK trident formed by Glenn Irwin-Ryo Mizuno-Takumi Takahashi. However, due to technical regulations capable of balancing performance, surprises are always around the corner and no one can feel left out (e.g. MotoRapido Oxford Racing, TAG Racing, Buildbase Suzuki, Rich Energy OMG Racing and FHO Racing). 28 riders are currently confirmed at the start and the possibility of reaching 30 thanks to the two wild cards allowed at each meeting, constitute an impressive number and confirm the excellent state of health of the British Superbike.
TEST ENTRY LIST (click HERE)
The program and the new SCX tires
Six months after the Brands Hatch final, BSB is therefore preparing to restart with tests on the “short” circuit of Silverstone. Although still behind closed doors (but the Oulton Park and Donington Park tests must be organized with the public, proof of the positive vaccination campaign taking place in the United Kingdom …), the two days will see a total of eight sessions of 40 minutes each, alternated by sessions reserved for support categories.
Not just new bikes, because 2021 will see the debut of the Pirelli SCX rear tire, introduced in the World Superbike from 2019. In this sense, BSB riders will have the “super soft” specification already from tomorrow morning, as well as during the race weekend from September 10 to 12 on the same track.
OFFICIAL SCHEDULE (one hour shift from Italy):
