2010 racing season starts to take shape

By Burning Rubber on Oct 7, 09 09:53 AM

NEXT season's motorsport bonanza is finally beginning to take shape as two other championships release their 2010 calendars.

While MotoGP and F1 chiefs have already announced provisional calendars for next season, it's been a wait for the rest.

But today the BTCC and WSBk dates have finally landed. And although those BSB officials are clearly intent on making us wait the longest (as ever) it's great to have at least something to be going on with.

The HiQ MSA British Touring Car Championship has today announced a ten-round race calendar.

As usual, it will visit nine of the UK's top motor racing venues with Brands Hatch included twice with a round each on its Grand Prix and Indy circuits.

Donington Park has been shifted to later on in the season as the work being carried to accomodate next year's British Formula 1 Grand Prix is completed.

The season will start at Thruxton in Hampshire and will include a mid-season break of seven weeks to allow for the British F1 GP, the World Cup and cycling's Tour de France.

2010 BTCC Provisional Calendar - All dates remain provisional.

1 Sunday 4 April Thruxton, Hampshire
2 Sunday 25 April Rockingham, Northamptonshire
3 Sunday 2 May Brands Hatch (Grand Prix), Kent
4 Sunday 6 June Oulton Park (Island), Cheshire
5 Sunday 20 June Croft, North Yorkshire
6 Sunday 8 August Snetterton, Norfolk
7 Sunday 22 August Silverstone (National), Northamptonshire
8 Sunday 5 September Knockhill, Fife
9 Sunday 19 September Donington Park, Leicestershire
10 Sunday 10 October Brands Hatch (Indy), Kent

Meanwhile in the world of two wheels, the FIM Superbike and Supersport World Championships and FIM Superstock Cup dates have been announced.

Again kicking-off at the end of February, the season will run throughout the spring, summer but ends earlier than usual at the start of October.

WSBk 2010 provisional calendar:

1. February 28, Australia, Phillip Island
2. March 28, Portugal, Portimão
3. April 11, Spain, Valencia(*)
4. April 25, Netherlands, Assen
5. May 9, Italy, Monza
6. May 16, South Africa, Kyalami
7. May 31, United States, Salt Lake City
8. June 27, San Marino, Misano
9. July 11, Czech Rep, Brno
10. August 1, Great-Britain, Donington Park
11. September 5, Germany, Nürburgring
12. September 26, Italy, Imola(*),(**)
13. October 3, France Magny-Cours

(*) TBC (to be confirmed)
(**) STH (Subject to homologation)