KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 18 — Malaysia, for the first time, will be hosting round six of the 14-leg Superbike World Championship (SBK) at the Sepang International Circuit (SIC) from June 6 to 8. 

The world series new season starts in Philip Island, Australia on February 23. 

WSBK Commercial and Marketing Department director Marc Saurina said the championship was similar to Formula One and MotoGP, but featured more track sessions. 

He said this would give fans plenty more to cheer about especially its close racing action and the participation of more manufacturers with the likes of BMW, Kawasaki, MV Agusta, Aprilia, Suzuki, Bimoto, Honda and EBR mean machines. 

“Bikes competing in SBK are tuned versions of motorcycles available for sale to the public and are different from MotoGP where purpose-built, prototype machines are used,” he told reporters here today. 

Saurina said free practice sessions would be held on Friday followed by two qualifying sessions on Saturday and two race sessions on the race day (Sunday). 

He said apart from the main Superbike Race, the SBK series would also feature three other exciting championships — the 600cc Supersport, Superstock 1000 and Superstock 600 — as support races. 

Meanwhile, SIC chief marketing officer Edward Lim said SIC ventured into the SBK in view of strong interest in motorcycle races since the last few years and the fact that Malaysia has millions of motorcyclists whose bikes could be easily converted for the sports. 

He said the move also spurred by the presence of enormous talents in motorcycling as proven by the performance of the Malaysian Moto2 and Moto3 riders. 

Lim said the initiative would open doors for Malaysians to venture into WSBK in the future. 

“Tickets for the Sepang World Superbike Championship are already on sale and we are offering special early bird promotion for tickets where fans can save up to RM30 for purchases before April 15. 

“This include purchases for special package tickets that come with exclusive merchandise for the inaugural event,” he added. 

Tickets are as low as RM30 for seats at the covered Hillstand C2, making it one of the most affordable world class championship. — Bernama