Superbike World Championship (SBK)
The Superbike World Championship (SBK) is the world’s premier Superbike racing championship. It is the ultimate competition for production motorcycles. Sponsored by Taiwanese electronics company HANNspree, the Championship features 14 race events in 11 countries between February and October. There are 11 events in Europe in addition to races in Qatar, Australia and the USA. Races are held on permanent tracks with two races held at each event and results counting toward world championships for riders and manufacturers.
SBK features a mixture of manufacturer-backed teams such as Ducati, Suzuki, Honda, Yamaha, Kawasaki and a selection of private teams. For 2009 German manufacturer BMW will also enter the series. Many of the world’s leading motorcycling riders compete in the series. The current SBK world champion is Britain’s James Toseland while Ducati are the manufacturer’s champion. SBK is supported at each event by three key championships used to develop teams, riders and sponsors:
World Supersport Championship
European Superstock 1000 Championship
European Superstock 600 Championship