The Bennetts British Superbike Championship contenders head to Circuito de Navarra this weekend (March 11/12/13) to kick off the opening official test action of the 2023 season.
The International standard circuit in the north-west of Spain was acquired by MotorSport Vision (MSV) in October 2022, and will host Bennetts BSB action for the first time with teams and riders from multiple classes taking advantage of forecast good weather before returning to the UK for the further official tests ahead of the Easter opening round at Silverstone.
The test will feature some of the teams who have already utilised private track time at Monteblanco and Andalucía, including Honda Racing UK with Andrew Irwin and Cheshire Mouldings Kawasaki’s Lee Jackson.
The track time will also give some of Bennetts BSB’s latest rookies the chance to continue their adaptation to the Superbike with reigning Pirelli Junior Superstock Champion Max Cook gaining experience with Cheshire Mouldings Kawasaki and Supersport runner-up Bradley Perie with the Lee Hardy Racing Kawasaki team.
Reigning support class Champions are also back on track at Circuito de Navarra as Supersport victor Jack Kennedy and Superstock winner Davey Todd have both already had some track time in Spain ahead of the official test. The pair both joined the Bennetts BSB grid in the final rounds last season and they are looking to build on that for a full attack during 2023 with the Mar-Train Racing Yamaha and Milenco by Padgetts Motorcycles Honda teams respectively.
British GP2 reigning Champion Jack Scott is also set for his first full test since joining the Rapid CDH Racing Kawasaki team alongside Liam Delves. The Team Green contenders on track also feature DAO Racing Kawasaki’s Dean Harrison.
Reigning Bennetts BSB Champions OMG Racing Yamaha also return to the track this week with Ryan Vickers joining Kyle Ryde and Héctor Barberá continues preparing for his return to Bennetts BSB with TAG Racing Honda.
The test at Circuito de Navarra will also be the first opportunity for the Ducati teams to test with PBM Ducati on track for the first time with Glenn Irwin and Tommy Bridewell, and for Christian Iddon to debut with the Oxford Products Racing Ducati team.
Hawk Racing also break cover since their switch of manufacturer with Josh Owen on the Crendon by Hawk Racing Honda and teammate Charlie Nesbitt on the MasterMac by Hawk Racing Honda. The test also features new Honda rival Danny Kent, with the previous Moto3 World Champion continuing his debut campaign with the all-new Lovell Kent Racing Honda team.
The international open test means that riders from outside of the Bennetts British Superbike Championship classes can also take part in the three-day activity.
Entry is free for spectators to the circuit, for more information visit www.circuitodenavarra.com