England’s Donington Park circuit owners are going into adminstration, and are looking for a buyer for the business. It may mean that major events next year are under a big question mark, with the World Superbike scheduled for August 1st and Britain’s Superbike scheduled for September 12. The owners of the circuit also have a 17-year contract, signed back in July 2008, with Formula One, to host the British Grand Prix round.

Nigel Price from the firm handling the administration has said:

“It needs people of vision to get the dream to the starting grid and we would be very interested in talking to interested parties.”

If you’re an interested party, you had best get in touch! In the photo above is this year’s MotoGP podium at Donington.

Source | MCN

Continue reading: WSBK at Donington in 2010? Park owners looking for buyer

Donington Park woke up yesterday to the roaring sound of 60 privately owned Ducati Desmosedici RR’s.

Organized by Ducati UK, it was the first ever Desmosedici track day and these owners got to ride the full MotoGP circuit.

As well as riding the MotoGP circuit, guests got the chance to see Ducati test rider Vittoriano Guareschi in action, meet designer Alan Jenkins, and members of the Ducati Corse team, including SBK Technical Director Ernesto Marinelli and got guidance from DRE (Ducati Riding Experience) instructors .

Continue reading: Ducati Desmosedici Day at Donington

The Ducati Village at Donington World Superbike round for June 27 and 28 is your chance to get into the Ducati spirit of things. Saturday night sees an SBK Ducati Party at the “Launch Pad” with live music and special guest appearances from the team including Noriyuki Haga and Michel Fabrizio. Tickets for the event are just £12.50.

For the rest of the weekend, Ducati Village will be hosting a display of 2009 model year bikes, including the limited edition Troy Bayliss 1098R, the 1198S and the new Ducati Streetfighter. Vintage Ducati bikes will also be on show.

Weekend or race day tickets are available with special deals on parking, and access to the Ducati grandstand for an additional fee. A visit to the Ducati Village also gets you in the draw to win a 2009 Ducati Corse Bianchi Bicycle. For details and ticket pricing, check out the Ducati UK site.

Continue reading: Ducati Village at Donington Park for WSBK race action

After 22 years, Donington Park has lost the rights to host the British Gran Prix to Silverstone. Having hosted MotoGP between 1977 and 1986, Motogp will be returning to Silverstone in 2010.

Silverstone Circuits Limited has signed a five year agreement with Dorna Sports, the commercial and television rights holder for MotoGP, which will see the Northamptonshire circuit host the British Grand Prix from 2010.

Richard Phillips, Managing Director of Silverstone Circuits Limited commented,”Silverstone is the UK’s premier motor racing venue and we are thoroughly looking forward to hosting the world’s premier motorcycle racing event from 2010. We have worked closely with Dorna Sports to bring MotoGP to Silverstone and both parties are extremely excited about the opportunity to take this world-class event to another level.

Continue reading: MotoGP to Silverstone in 2010

Get your diary and fill up the dates for the FIM Superbike World Championship 2009 provisional calendar:

March 1: Australia, Phillip Island
March 14: Qatar, Doha/Losail
April 5: Spain, Valencia
April 26: Netherlands, Assen
May 10: Italy, Monza
May 17: South Africa, Kyalami
May 31: United States, Salt Lake City
June 21: San Marino, Misano
June 28: Great-Britain, Donington Park
July 26: Czech Rep.,Brno
September 6: Germany, Nurnburgring
September 27: Italy, tba
October 4: France, Magny-Cours
October 25: Portugal, Portimao

Please note a new start on March 1 at the Phillip Island racetrack, and what about the English Brands Hatch?

Source | SBK

Continue reading: FIM 2009 calendar World Superbike

The mother of all English motorcycles, Norton, is coming home. After 15 years under US control, the symbolic English brand is returning to British hands, with the new owner being Stuart Garner, who also has the Manx, Commando, Atlas and Dominator brands.

The financial operation of millions of pounds, could accelerate the arrival of a new sports model, possibly developed from the NRV588 Rotary Racer, designed by Norton Racing Ltd. The intention is to present a new Norton road superbike in 2009.

The plans of the English company include a return to the track with fascinating and high performance models, and a long-term investment in the Norton brand. Trimmings will be included with a clothing line and accessories being developed. The company, founded by James Lansdowne Norton, will have a new seat at Donington Park facilities.

Source | Visordown

Continue reading: Norton returns to English shores

The British rider Tom Sykes will replace Noriyuki Haga and will ride for Yamaha next year. This gives further fuel to the rumour that Haga will replace Troy Bayliss in the Ducati Xerox team next year in World Superbike.

Tom is holding second position in the general standings in the British Superbike Championship, riding the Rizla Suzuki GSX-R1000. Given his latest strong performances in World Superbike, riding a Wild Card at the Brands Hatch and the Donington Park races he has become a target for the top World Superbike teams.

Tom’s team mate is not yet known. Troy Corser might also leave the team and ride in the new BMW team like Spaniard Ruben Xaus has already confirmed.

Via | motorcyclenews

Continue reading: Tom Sykes will replace Haga next year in World Superbike.

As we prepare for Sunday, have a look at highlights from last year’s SBK Donington race!

Continue reading: SBK Donington, have a look at the 2007 race

The riders from the Sterilgarda Go Eleven Team are getting ready after the summer break to return to their bikes and travel to Donington to ride the 11th Round of the World Superbike Championship. Ruben Xaus is burning to ride again after his fever which stopped him riding the Brands Hatch race and Italian Max Biaggi is willing to attempt an other podium.

Ruben has said: “I’m back with enthusiasm. I would like to give my team a good result after the stop at Brands Hatch. Last year I came close to the podium, getting the forth final position.”

And Max: “I really like Donington park. Last year I finished both races on the podium: I was second and third, hence this weekend I expect to make a good performance too”.

Continue reading: SBK Donington: Sterilgarda team ready

Having concluded the long summer break (five weeks), the extraordinary spectacle of the World Superbike championship returns, kicking off at Donington Park. Troy Bayliss heads the news with a possible third victory in his retirement season.

For Max Biaggi the next few days should close the confusing situation which sees him torn between the Ducati Factory and the re-entering Aprilia. Biaggi has said on his site:

“Finally we can start again. After the summer break I’m ready and tense like a spring. Riding at Donington Park is really fun, especially the first part (the fast part) downhill which requires trust and a stable bike.

Continue reading: Max Biaggi: "Donington Park and my superbike future"