British Superbikes 2008 season preview – start your engines

With big changes in both teams and riders - plus a new generation oftalent sweeping into the series – the 2008 British Superbikes (BSB)series is set to be an absolute belter.

British Superbikes 2008 – teams and riders
HM Plant Honda team has confirmed its riders as Leon Haslam and Cal Crutchlow. Airwaves Ducati goes for an intriguing mix of youth and experience, Leon Camier and former champion Shane Byrne. They’re aboard the latest 1098R bikes, along with Michael Rutter on the North West 200 Ducati.
Tom Sykes, already setting hot times in testing, rides Rizla Suzuki, alongside two-time Japanese Superbikes champion Atsushi Watanabe.
Karl Harris rides a factory-backed Yamaha in this series, which features high-powered production-based machines from six of the world’s leading manufacturers.
Flying Scot Stuart Easton, another former Supersport title winner, will be spearheading the MSS Discovery Kawasaki assault on the Superbike title, with the talented young Australian Billy McConnell as his team mate.

Year of the Young Guns?
Tipped as the season when raw talent will dominate, this year will see Michael Laverty (winner of the prestigious Irish Racer Magazine’s Irish Motorcyclist of the Year) return to Superbike action, looking to repeat the form that won him the 2007 Supersport crown.
Laverty is challenging for honours aboard the Relentless Suzuki by TAS in a series that’s gathering strength every week. James Ellison, former winner of the Superbike Cup, returns on the Hydrex Bike Animal Honda, along with Guy Martin. Meanwhile Adam Jenkinson rides SMT Honda, while Steve Plater continues on the AIM Yamaha (for whom Ian Hutchinson is in Supersport action).
Hawk Racing has yet to confirm its plans, but is expected to run both Scott Smart and James Haydon. Meanwhile, Chris Burns will power into the action aboard an MV Agusta – the sixth manufacturer to join the buoyant British grid which, for the next three seasons, will be running exclusively on Pirelli tyres.

Teams tested by new tyre contract
The teams must quickly get to grips with the single-make tyre supply contract in a hectic nine days of testing, arranged for late February and into early March, in Spain. A three-day test takes place at Almeria for Superbikes, followed by a six-day test at Gaudax for both Superbikes and Supersport.
Preview the action at Snetterton Easter testing
British fans can preview the season’s action at three days of official testing over the Easter weekend (March 22, 23 and 24) at Snetterton.

2008 British Superbike Championship Calendar
April 6                            Brands Hatch
April 20                           Thruxton
May 5                              Oulton Park *
May 26                           Donington Park *

June 15                          Snetterton
June 29                          Mallory Park
July 20                            Oulton Park
August 10                       Knockhill, Scotland

August 25                       Cadwell Park *
September 14               Croft
September 28               Silverstone
October 12                     Brands Hatch (Indy)
*Bank Holiday Monday Raceday