Bennetts BSB Pit Lane Reporter Larry ‘Scoop’ Carter, gives Knockhill another unique and exclusive preview of the season ahead…
As we edge towards one of the most eagerly awaited seasons in the recent history of the Bennetts British Superbike Championship, the excitement is palpable after last year’s never to be forgotten title chase.
It’s now been announced that Glenn Irwin will continue with the PBM Racing Team, albeit in the new era with Jordan and Frank Bird at the helm and determined to continue the legacy of their dad Paul who passed away last year. Irwin has finished runner-up the past two seasons so will be determined to make it count this year as a single rider in the team aboard Ducati machinery.
Current champion Tommy Bridewell is desperate to get some quality testing time under his belt as he switches to Honda power for the first time in over five years. The power characteristics are totally different to what he’s been used to so hopefully he can get some much-needed saddle time ahead of the start of the new season which gets underway later this month.
For the first time ever in the long history of the Bennetts BSB series, the opening round takes place on foreign shores with the Navarra circuit in northern Spain hosting the two opening races on April 21. Many have questioned why a ‘British’ Championship needs rounds outside the UK, but it’s not the first time the organisers have looked to spread their wings abroad and following places like Mondello Park and Assen, which BSB has visited in recent years, it makes perfect sense.
The circuit is owned by the series’ commercial rights owners MSV and has been the preferred destination for pre-season Spanish testing over the past couple of seasons so having experienced the worst of what the British spring weather can do over the years, and rather than teams scattering about all over the Iberian peninsula, the organisers took the decision to declare Navarra as one of the official test venues whereby all the major BSB (and some support race teams) converge on the circuit which is about an hour or so’s drive from Bilbao.
So, whilst there for a comprehensive four-day test, having incurred the expense of travel and with staff on site, why not extend the stay by a few days and take advantage of the Spanish climate and run a couple of races?
MSV have spent a fortune on upgrading the track and facilities, they have organised attractive deals for spectators to attend and importantly, it broadens BSB’s commercial appeal to mainland Europe which, if the success of Assen and Mondello Park are anything to go by, attracts a new and dynamic audience. TV and Radio coverage will be available for those not able or willing to travel and a new track, on which none of the current BSB incumbent will have raced, nor their teams have race data for, will add an additional factor to throw into the melting pot.
What this of course does is mean Knockhill is now not the sole English round of the series but fear not as the glorious Fife track retains its unique character with no other circuit lap being as busy and hectic which the riders absolutely love.
And what’s more, as well as local lad from Perth, Rory Skinner, and the Essex flyer with Scottish heritage Danny Buchan to cheer in the three Bennetts BSB races, there’s another addition in the BSB Pathway class in the shape of Gifford’s Lewis Rollo on the sole IN Competition SENCAT Aprilia.
The support classes boast plenty of Scottish interest with Prestonpans youngster Adon Davie again tackling the HEL British Supersport Cup on his JDF Ducati whilst Kinghorn’s Keo Walker makes the step up to the British GP2 class on and RD Racing Triumph 765. Livingston’s former Red Bull Rookies Cup star Adam Blacklock returns and joins the title-winning Go Racing Developments/Nova team on a Chassis Factory in the GP2 class also but perhaps the rider raising most Scottish interest is Oliver Barr.
Born in England but making his home at Newton Stewart before he was of school age, Barr has plied his trade all over the UK in the No Limits Championship for a few seasons before impressing in the Pirelli National Junior Superstock Championship at Knockhill last season with a victory. This year, however, he has signed with the successful Binch Pro Racing Team and will contest the Quattro Group British Supersport Championship on their R6 which took Max Cook to victory in the Junior series a couple of years ago.
There will be plenty of other Scots in the support classes as we await the final entry lists meaning another bumper extravaganza will be played out on the Scottish hillside in mid-summer.
Knockhill comprises the fourth round of the series and takes place over the weekend of Friday 14 to Sunday 16 June 2023. For more information, please visit www.knockhill.com or www.britishsuperbike.com.