Submitted by David Emmett on
The 2016 World Superbike calendar will have just thirteen rounds. Attempts at finding a replacement for the canceled Monza round have failed, causing the calendar to definitively lose a round.
Dorna had been in talks with several other circuits to replace the races at Monza, with the Estoril circuit being the most popular candidate. However, no agreement could be reached with any of the replacement candidates, and Dorna had no choice but to cancel.
All hope is not lost for Monza, however. Work continues at the iconic Italian track, including efforts to make it suitable for motorcycle racing. The circuit could yet make a return, but not this year.
The cancellation of Monza does leave a gaping hole in the WSBK calendar. There is a gap of ten weeks between the US round of WSBK at Laguna Seca and the German races at the Lausitzring. That hiatus presents a serious problem for Dorna in maintaining interest in what is turning out to be a very good year for WorldSBK. It will need to be addressed for the 2017 calendar.
Updated 2016 World Superbike calendar
| DATE | COUNTRY | CIRCUIT | WorldSBK | WorldSSP | STK1000 |
| 26-28 February | Australia | Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit | X | X | |
| 11-13 March | Thailand | Chang International Circuit | X | X | |
| 1-3 April | Spain | MotorLand Aragón | X | X | X |
| 15-17 April | Netherlands | TT Circuit Assen | X | X | X |
| 29-1 May | Italy | Autodromo Int. Enzo e Dino Ferrari di Imola | X | X | X |
| 13 -15 May | Malaysia | Sepang International Circuit | X | X | |
| 27-29 May | United Kingdom | Donington Park | X | X | X |
| 17-19 June | Italy | Misano World Circuit ‘Marco Simoncelli’ | X | X | X |
| 8-10 July | USA | Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca | X | ||
| 16-18 September | Germany | Lausitzring | X | X | X |
| 30-2 October | France | Circuit de Nevers Magny-Cours | X | X | X |
| 16-18 October | Spain | Circuito de Jerez | X | X | X |
| 28-30 October | Qatar | Losail International Circuit | X | X |
Comments
Cadwell is probably free isn't it?
I expect watching WSS over the mountain would be amusing...
I reckon a fix for the perennial Cadwell pitlane problem is something like they have at that F1 circuit in the UAE, where the pit in & out are through tunnels - just put a double bore under the mountain to join up with the current pit in & pit exit, and then you can have a proper FIM standard pit lane where the paddock is now.
You may think this is unlikely to ever happen for a whole host of reasons, but I reckon it's significantly more viable than the plans for the Circuit of Wales, and according to Dorna, that's still hosting MotoGP next year...
Add Indianapolis in August
Add Indianapolis in August next year !
Add COTA following Laguna Seca
MotoGP, MotoAmerica, and AMA Flat Track made for a tremendous weekend in Austin this year. WSBK would be an fantastic addition at the under-utilized COTA.
Fix Monza
I need an excuse to go to Monza and putting World Superbike back there is the best one I can think of.
Supersports
It's a 10 week break for the superbikes. But pity the poor Supersports people who don't get to go to Laguna. That's a 3 month break in the middle of the season.
It's pretty clear to me the answer's Brands Hatch! Since that's probably not possible, how about Turkey as a tribute to Superglue?