MCE BSB - A guide
The MCE Insurance British Superbike championship is renowned as the hardest, fastest and most competitive domestic championship in the world. The series has a number of rules and regulations that set it out from the rest giving it that winning formula. Here's a guide to understanding how the championship works.
The Rounds and Tracks
The MCE BSB championship is made up of 12 rounds at 9 different tracks, all of which are in the UK apart from the Dutch round at the prestigious TT Circuit Assen. Other circuits included are Brands Hatch, Oulton Park, Snetterton 300, Cadwell Park, Donington Park, Thruxton, Knockhill and Silverstone.
Each weekend brings practice, qualifying and 2 races. Apart from the August Oulton Park round and the final in October at Brands Hatch which are both triple headers with 3 races on one weekend.
Qualifying
Riders head out on track for three separate sessions. In Q1 they battle to stay in the top 18 with anyone over that getting dropped. In Q2 those 18 riders battle for the top ten spots, anyone over is dropped again. Q3 sees the top ten of the grid decided. This is how the riders line up for race 1, in race 2 however qualifying positions are decided on fastest laps in race 1.
Points scoring and the showdown
One of the most unique things about MCE BSB is its points scoring system. The first 9 rounds of the championship run like any other with riders gathering as many points as possible to move them to the top of the table. Then things change from the norm and the riders in the top 6 positions after round 9 become title fighters and enter the showdown.
Each of the 6 title fighters are topped up to 500 points plus podium credits. Podium credits are totalled up from the number of podiums gained in the first 9 rounds, 5 for a win, 3 for a second and 1 for a third. So gaining podiums in the first part of the season is still very important because every point can make a difference. The top 6 riders that enter the showdown are the only riders eligible to take the title.
This is just a brief look at what goes on, for more information on how MCE BSB works visit the MCE BSB website.
18.03.14 - Big Ed
