News Detail

2009 HANNspree FIM Superbike World Championship season roars off to a flying start

Biggest grid in history of the series - Entry of Aprilia and BMW

Language Versions: ENSport: Motorsport

Zug, Switzerland / Rome, Italy, 27 February 2008 – The 2009 HANNspree FIM Superbike World Championship (SBK), the 22nd edition of this exciting series, gets underway this weekend at the spectacular Phillip Island circuit in Australia. It takes place from 27 February to 1 March 2009 and is the first of 14 World SBK rounds which comprises two races per round.

Expectation is already at fever pitch as this will be the first season for many years without Troy Bayliss, one of the legendary names in Superbike history, who retired at the end of 2008 after winning his third world title in the production-based championship racing series. With Bayliss gone, the question is now who will write their name in the record books alongside the other legendary Superbike greats like Merkel, Roche, Polen, Russell, Fogarty, Corser, Kocinski, Edwards, Hodgson and Toseland.

Series continues to grow

This is the second season organised by Infront Motor Sports and the series continues to grow. A record seven manufacturers will be on the grid (Aprilia, BMW, Ducati, Honda, Kawasaki, Suzuki and Yamaha), which this year adds quantity to quality, with a record number of 32 permanent riders in the 14 rounds that make up the 2009 calendar.

The 2009 season also marks the return of Aprilia and the entry of BMW, both global brands adding further prestige to Superbike. The Italians are showing they mean business right from the start, with the signing of two top riders in Max Biaggi and Shinya Nakano, while the same can also be said for the German company, which has snapped up double world champion Troy Corser and multiple race winner Ruben Xaus. Both teams are aiming for a place at the top, and quickly too. In fact, almost every manufacturer has at least one candidate for the title within their ranks.

A truly global event

The 22nd season of the world’s leading production motorcycle event will be global in its scope, with 14 rounds in 13 countries, covering five continents and visiting many prestigious racing circuits. In 2008, three new circuits saw Superbike race action: The Miller Motorsports Park near Salt Lake City, USA (additional race); the Nürburgring in Germany (replacing EuroSpeedway Lausitz) and the brand new track in Portimão in Portugal which alone attracted 91’000 fans to the races. In 2009, the new entries are Kyalami in South Africa and Imola in Italy, replacing Brands Hatch in the UK and Vallelunga in Italy.

HANNspree to lead sponsorship hierarchy

The sponsorship hierarchy of the series is led by Title Sponsor of the championship, HANNspree, the Taiwan-based electronics giant. The line-up of high-level commercial partners is completed by two Top Sponsors – Alfa Romeo (Italy, Automotive) and Pirelli (Italy, Tyres) – and five Official Sponsors, including Arrow (Italy, exhausts for motorcycles), Axo (Italy, rider’s equipment), HannsG (Taiwan, Consumer Electronics), Meccaniche Veloci (Italy, luxury watches) and Giannelli (Italy, silencers).

Increased broadcast coverage

Infront has been applying its expertise in host broadcasting to enhance coverage of the series and has succeeded to an impressive extent, producing a quality picture and encouraging television growth. The 2009 viewing experience will be further enhanced through additional cameras and improved on-screen graphics.

In 2008, the series was covered by 89 broadcasters, delivering a total of 2,675 hours of programming and reaching a cumulative audience of 385 million. Recently, a number of new TV deals have been agreed, including renewal with Fox Sports in Australia until 2016; new agreements with Supersport in South Africa and with MotorsTV (pan European digital platform; delayed coverage) as well as for Greece and Cyprus.

Broadcaster servicing and satellite coordination is being handled by Infront’s Broadcaster Servicing Team, which contributes its expertise gained at global sports events, including the FIFA World Cup™.

About HANNspree Superbike World Championship

HANNspree Superbike World Championship is the only road racing World Championship using production motorcycles. The series is one of the sport’s fastest growing and most promising properties; popular with fans, manufacturers, broadcasters and commercial partners. It is promoted by Infront Motor Sports in Rome, the new motor sports division of the Infront Group (formerly FGSPORT) and governed by the Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM).

2009 HANNspree Superbike World Championship calendar

March 1 - Phillip Island, Australia

March 14 - Losail, Qatar

April 5 - Valencia, Spain

April 26 - Assen, Netherlands

May 10 - Monza, Italy

May 17 - Kyalami, South Africa

May 31 - Salt Lake City, USA

June 21 - Misano, San Marino

June 28 - Donington Park, UK

July 26 - Brno, Czech Republic

September 6 - Nürburgring, Germany