Laguna Seca & Jerez Return to 2013 World Superbike Calendar

World Superbike action will be returning to the fabled Corkscrew and Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca and spanish circuit Jerez after the venues announced it has reached a three-year agreement with Infront Motor Sports.

Infront confirmed today that a three-year deal has been arranged stating “the United States round of the eni FIM Superbike World Championship will take place at the Californian circuit next season and in 2014 and 2015.” The last time World Superbike riders competed at Laguna Seca was eight years ago when Chris Vermeulen won both races on the Ten Kate Honda. 

“We are absolutely delighted to be returning to Laguna Seca for the US Round for the first time since 2004. Over the ten-year period in which we were last there, medical we witnessed an extraordinary growth in interest and in overall attendance and we are sure that this event will once again become one of the most prestigious on the calendar. The return of Laguna Seca to the Superbike World Championship, site with its six competing manufacturers, will definitely be a boost to the championship’s growth in the US market as California has a special tradition and offers significant opportunities for the motorcycle industry, sponsors and media,” said Paolo Flammini, CEO of Infront Motor Sports, in the press announcement. 

This means both of the world’s premier motorcycle road racing leagues will now be competing at California’s prestigious road course as MotoGP races there too. 

“We have a strong history with World Superbike and are thrilled to have them commit to a three-year race schedule,” said Gill Campbell, Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca CEO/general manager. “Their return to Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca solidifies our position as THE premier circuit in the U.S. for motorcycle racing.” 

The question now is whether the U.S. will get two World Superbike rounds or was 2012 the last year for an event at Utah’s Miller Motorsports Park. The venue has hosted the lone U.S. World Superbike round since 2008. 

Infront Motor Sports announced it added Jerez de la Frontera to the 2013 schedule as well. The deal with the popular Spanish circuit is comparable to the one arranged with Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, a three-year collaboration from 2013 – 2015. The first race will take place on October 20, 2013, and will be the final round of the 2013 World Superbike season. 

“We are delighted with the addition of another prestigious name to our World Championship calendar. Jerez de la Frontera is a circuit that is synonymous with great motorbike racing in general and is situated in a catchment area with an extraordinary sporting tradition and cultural heritage. It gives us great pleasure to return to Jerez for the first time in over twenty years and we are sure that together we will work hard to make the event a great success,” said Flammini. 

The only World Superbike race held at Jerez de la Frontera was back in 1990 when Raymond Roche doubled up on race wins. Roche would go on to win the World Superbike championship that year.