The World Superbike series has been missing from American soil since 2019, which feels like an absolute lifetime ago. But get this, a massive report from SPEEDWEEK.com is now saying Barber Motorsports Park is dead serious about bringing that high-octane racing back! We’re talking a potential return in 2027, and let me tell you, it’s about time this league actually lived up to its “World” title.
Barber’s Bold Move and Why WSBK Needs It
Barber Motorsports Park, down in Birmingham, Alabama, has stepped up to the plate. An insider at the track spilled to the German racing site that Barber is actively pursuing a five-year contract to host WSBK races. Imagine that! The proposed event would slide right into early October, making it a killer part of their annual Barber Vintage Festival. Plus, it’s a smart move to keep it totally separate from MotoAmerica’s yearly visit to Barber, which usually goes down in May. This is the kind of forward-thinking action that can pull a series out of its comfort zone.
Because let’s be real, WSBK has pretty much become a European championship. Since that last race at Laguna Seca in Monterey, California, in 2019, the series has barely left Europe. Sure, they hit Phillip Island in Australia regularly, and pop into Argentina and Indonesia sometimes, but compare that to MotoGP! That series had stops in Austin, Texas, Thailand, Brazil, Japan, Indonesia, Australia, Malaysia, and even a possible Qatar run, on top of 14 European rounds this year. BMW Motorrad CEO Markus Flasch, who also heads up the European Association of Motorcycle Manufacturers, isn’t holding back either. He told SPEEDWEEK, “As a global manufacturer, we are naturally interested in competing in a global series. In reality, the WSBK has now become a European championship.” He’s not wrong!
The Money, The Math, and The Open Slots
Okay, so bringing a race back to the US isn’t just a snap of the fingers. We all know it comes down to cold, hard cash. WSBK is owned by US-based Liberty Media, so of course they want to rebuild interest in their home market, but budgets are budgets. The current contracts with broadcasters and sponsors are all based on twelve events. That means a 13th round isn’t bringing in any extra funding from partners, and any new overseas race has to pay for itself. And man, those international travel costs are no joke.
The math only works if some existing slots open up, right? Good news, there are definitely some shaky spots on the 2027 calendar. While eleven of this year’s twelve organizers have valid contracts, the Balaton Park Circuit in Hungary is on super unstable footing. MotoGP is reportedly dropping that track from its 2027 schedule due to safety concerns and a terrible turnout at the 2025 event. It’s not a stretch to see WSBK doing the same. Plus, WSBK’s contract with Jerez is set to expire this year, and crickets on any renewal. If both Balaton and Jerez get axed, Liberty suddenly has two free slots! That’s enough for one Asian round, probably Malaysia, and one, get this, potentially at Barber Motorsports Park! This isn’t just a rumor; this is a real possibility that could make WSBK a truly global series again.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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