World Superbike jolt to BIC after F1; both likely in 2015

Indian GP

New Delhi - It’s a double whammy for Indian motorsports enthusiasts. Soon after the cancellation of the 2014 Formula 1 Indian Grand Prix comes the bad news that the inaugural World Superbike Championship (WSBK) will not be held at the Buddh International Circuit (BIC) in November.

Again, like the Formula One Management, the WSBK organisers and the promoters of both the racing events, Jaypee Group, are confident that the premier two-wheeler series will make its India debut in 2015.

The statement from FIM, the world governing body for motor cycle racing, cancelling the Nov 17 race, has led to speculation over the provocation since the race was rescheduled from March to November. They were quickly put to rest by both WSBK promoters, Dorna World Superbike Organisation (DWO), and Jaypee, saying it was agreed to reschedule it in 2015.

WSBK CEO Javier Alonso explained that the 2013 race was scrapped owing to the lack of training time for marshals and medical staff, and more so because Jaypee was keen to push the event to 2015.

“Jaypee has requested that the four-year contract should commence in 2015, when it would be well equipped to manage international events,” Alonso told IANS Friday.

Jaypee, on its part, said the November date left it little time to prepare after the Oct 25-27 F1 Indian Grand Prix.

“We feel the overall situation needs to be looked afresh. Bike racing is more accident prone than car racing and we felt we needed more preparation time, not just the marshal and medical staff training but other aspects too,” Jaypee Group spokesperson Askari Zaidi told IANS.

It may be recalled that only last month Italian rider Andrea Antonelli was killed during a WSBK support race in Moscow Raceway.

Asked why Jaypee wants to host the race in 2015 and not next year, Zaidi said: “As there is no F1 in 2014, we want to start with the World Superbike when F1 returns in 2015. F1 is highly popular in India whereas Superbike is not in the same league. By that time, we would also get the experience of two-wheeler racing by organising a few domestic races.”

Alonso said there was no connection between the F1 and the WSBK cancellations.

“F1 and WSBK are completely different activities involving different business matters,” Alonso said referring to F1 missing its India date next year.

“India is a very important, strategic market for motorcycling (both sales and two-wheel motorsport) and we are confident to be racing there in the near future.”

Federation of Motor Sports Clubs of India (FMSCI) president Vicky Chandhok told IANS that he was disappointed with the race not happening this year but the federation would use the two-year gap by organising more two-wheeler activities at the BIC.