The South African round of the FIM Superbike World Championship, provisionally scheduled to be held at Phakisa Freeway in the Free State on October 19, will now no longer form part of the 2014 series but could be included in the 2015 calendar, possibly as early as March.
This was announced today by GAS Sports, the official promoters of the South African event, who also manage and promote the Monster Energy SuperGP Champions Trophy, the national motorcycle racing championships.
“Despite GAS Sports best efforts and significant investment in the planning for the 2014 WSBK event, works at Phakisa Freeway required for the FIM’s homologation had to be halted while the Free State Tourism Authority, the custodians of Phakisa Freeway, formalised their additional funding requirements to enable South Africa’s hosting of this prestigious World Championship event,” said Sivile Mabandla, GAS Sports Chairperson. “GAS Sports will continue to work with FSTA and other invested private and public stakeholders in an effort to secure an early date with Dorna, the WSBK rights holders, in the 2015 Superbike World Championship.
“While we are naturally disappointed the 2014 event will not be possible, we must thank the Free State Government for their efforts to date to support and host the event. We have had sight of their funding applications and know that the event is highly regarded and well supported by all stakeholders. We look forward to a favourable resolution to secure an early date in next year’s WSBK calendar.”
The Phakisa round of the Monster Energy SuperGP Champions Trophy, which was to have provided the supporting events for the WSBK round, will still take place at the Free State circuit on October 19. It will form the penultimate round of the national championship series.
