2011 British World Superbike
The Donington Park Grand Grix Circuit is one of the most historical venues in the World Superbike Championship, considering it hosted the very first round of WSBK on April 3, 1988.
And it was announced on Tuesday that the Leicestershire circuit in the UK is under contract with Infront Motor Sports to hosts World Superbike competition there for the next three years: 2011-2013.
For 2011, the World Superbike series will compete there from March 25-27.
Donington Park’s founder, Tom Wheatcroft, promoted the first World Superbike event at the circuit in 1988, when the two races were won by Bimota rider Davide Tardozzi and Ducati rider Marco Lucchinelli.
The last time World Superbike occurred at Donington was in 2009, when that year’s champion, the Rookie Sterilgarda Yamaha rider Ben Spies, won both races.
Kevin Wheatcroft says: “It was always my father’s dream and since his death at the end of last year, I always wanted to provide a world class event in his memory.”
The British round of World Superbike was moved from Donington to Silverstone in 2010 due to track issues. The then lease-owners, Donington Venture Leisures LTD (DVLL), had plans to restructure the track to allow the return of Formula One Racing.
But when DVLL went bankrupt, they handed the lease and torn track back to the Wheatcroft family. After much work, the track is again ready to host World Superbike competition for 2011.
With the return of Donington, there will be two British rounds on the World Superbike calander, including the Silverstone event on July 31.
Paolo Flammini (CEO of Infront Motor Sports, official promoter of the FIM Superbike World Championship) says: “We are extremely pleased to bring SBK back to Donington Park for the European Round of the Championship.”
“The Leicestershire circuit is where the Championship began its history 23 years ago and has hosted many successful rounds of our series over the years. Thanks to the presence of many competitive British riders both in the Superbike and Supersport classes, we are sure that the 2011 event will attract many fans and will be a huge success.”
