The WorldSBK championship is to look a little different in 2022. Though the length will stay the same as in 2021 - 13 rounds - the order is to be reshuffled a little, with the intriguing prospect of a possible race at Istanbul Park in Turkey during the season.
The season kicks off later than usual, with Phillip Island likely to be moved to the end of the year, possibly as the season finale held after the Indonesian round at Mandalika Circuit. Racing starts at the Motorland Aragon circuit, before heading north to Assen for the Dutch round of WorldSBK, which returns to its more normal date. After a four-week break, the series reconvences in Portugal for a race at Estoril.
The WorldSBK calendar heads east to Italy after that, for a race at Misano in June, before having a month off between the UK round at Donington Park. Two weeks later, the series travels to the Czech Republic to visit Most for the second time.
The summer break will be six weeks long, with the WorldSBK circus reconvening at Magny-Cours for the French round, then heading to Barcelona for the Catalonian round, and then back to Portugual, but this time to Portimão. After Portimão, WorldSBK starts its sequence of flyaways, traveling first to Argentina, then to Indonesia. The championship will then most likely head to Australia for the final round at Phillip Island.
The thirteenth round is down as To Be Announced, but there have been very strong rumors circulating that WorldSBK is to head to Turkey and Istanbul Park. Both Dorna and the circuit are keen to host a round, especially now that Toprak Razgatlioglu has become the first ever Turkish World Champion. Confirmation of this could take some time, with details still to be confirmed. It is most likely that the race will be slotted in one of the larger gaps in the calendar, in June or August.
There are four calendar clashes with MotoGP, though only in remotely the same time zone. Aragon WorldSBK is on the same weekend as MotoGP in Austin, Barcelona WorldSBK will take place several hours after the Japanese Grand Prix at Motegi, and Argentina WorldSBK will be half a day or so after the MotoGP race at Sepang. WorldSBK Race 2 at Assen would normally happen at the same time as the MotoGP race at Portimão in Portugal, but there is a chance the WorldSBK race will be rescheduled for a later time.
The provisional calendar, and a statement from Gregorio Lavilla, WorldSBK Executive Director, appear below:
MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship/FIM Supersport and Supersport 300 World Championships
2022 Provisional *Calendar, 25 November 2021
| DATE | COUNTRY | CIRCUIT | WorldSBK | WorldSSP | WorldSSP300 |
| 8-10 April | Spain | MotorLand Aragón | X | X | X |
| 22-24 April | The Netherlands | TT Circuit Assen | X | X | X |
| 20-22 May | Portugal | Circuito Estoril | X | X | X |
| 10-12 June | Italy | Misano World Circuit “Marco Simoncelli” | X | X | X |
| 15-17 July | United Kingdom | Donington Park | X | X | |
| 29-31 July | Czech Republic | Autodrom Most | X | X | X |
| 9-11 September | France | Circuit de Nevers Magny-Cours | X | X | X |
| 23-25 September | Spain | Circuit de Barcelona - Catalunya | X | X | X |
| 7-9 October | Portugal | Autódromo Internacional do Algarve | X | X | X |
| 21-23 October | Argentina | Circuito San Juan Villicum | X | X | |
| 11-13 November | Indonesia | Pertamina Mandalika International Street Circuit | X | X | |
| TBA | Australia | Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit | X | X | |
| TBA | TBA | TBA |
*All dates, events and the attendance of spectators are subject to the evolution of the global pandemic and the approval of the corresponding governments and authorities.
2022 SUPPORTED TEST
4-5 April, MotorLand Aragón, WorldSBK + WorldSSP + WorldSSP300
Gregorio Lavilla, WorldSBK Executive Director:
“Firstly, it’s great to unveil the 2022 WorldSBK calendar so soon after the thrilling 2021 season has finished. WorldSBK will bring a refreshed Brand Identity for 2022 and we look forward to the season after two challenging seasons due to the COVID-19 pandemic. A 13th round will take place and we have some options for where this event could be, whilst it will be great to welcome Australia and the Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit back to the calendar, this time closing the season. The date is to be confirmed due to logistical challenges that require further analysis. I am pleased to welcome back two of 2021’s new circuits: the Autodrom Most and the Pertamina Mandalika International Street Circuit. We look forward to another fantastic season of WorldSBK action.”
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Comments
Rejoice Phillip Island returns!
Very pleased P.I. is back on the calendar. Or calendars, both MotoGp & SBK. November 2022 is a long way off!
MotoGp in the middle of October then SBK after the middle of November. That will be two seperate trips for me. I'm assuming not many overseas visitors will be staying in Oz for 4 or 5 weeks to do both events. Could have been better.
But the calendars are not based on what I want. Should be a massive improvement on the last 2 years.
In reply to Rejoice Phillip Island returns! by Apical
Oh man though Ape, all the
Oh man though Ape, all the way over here REALLY missed the circus hitting the circuit. It is right there with the top and most important handful of tracks in the World eh? Your folks did something great. I know zero about the creation of it, may go research. I have noticed every wee historical detail about Laguna Seca, and went as a child to watch. Assen, know a bit. What not.
Viva P.I. for 2022!!
Repeating myself, but
If I lived right on the south pole I would be thousands of miles closer to the nearest WSBK race. Oh well.
Apical, couldn't agree more, wish the two races were at the most two weeks apart, I would find a way to attend both.
Sustainability
I imagine the two races at Phillip Island late in the year will be a temporary measure. I can't see the Australian MotoGP and WSBK rounds only being 6ish weeks apart being sustainable. Perhaps the MotoGP riders will finally get their wish and the race will finally be moved to the start of the year. Or maybe WSBK will return to the start of the season and bring the Thai race with it to try and avoid monsoon season.
Whatever happens, I'll be doing (figurative) back flips having racing back at Phillip Island.
Whither goest North America/USA?
Two years ago Laguna Seca was passed over, in part, because of the track's distressing management controversies. Is that still an issue for Dorna? As WSBK normalizes in the not-quite-post-pandemic era, how long before North America gets back on the calendar? Is it something we said : -) ?