The fast developing, three way battle for supremacy in the Bennetts British Superbike Championship brought record numbers of spectators both at the circuits hosting the action but also to a massive television audience enjoying the action `live' in the comfort of their own homes.

The final round, in which HM Plant Honda's Ryuichi Kiyonari snatched the champion's trophy from the Airwaves Ducati duo of Leon Haslam and Gregorio Lavilla was watched by an ITV1 audience in excess of 1.5 million viewers, an audience topped only by Formula 1. And, despite the inclement weather, 45,600 spectators were at Brands Hatch over the weekend to soak up the thrills, drama and excitement.

Figures just released, from audited viewing statistics show that over the twelve rounds of the Superbike championship, the `live' ITV1 coverage attracted an average adult audience of some 11,552,000, which equates to an average viewership of 962,000 per round, and in terms of audience share, some 10.68%.

For the first time, direct comparisons could be drawn with the British Touring Car Championship, also shown `live' on ITV1, with that series attracting an average audience of some 863,000, an audience share of 9.31%, but almost 100,000 less than tuned in to watch the Superbikes.

Throughout the season, Superbikes were consistently more popular, according to the official viewing figures, and, the two wheeled action also was aired to 270,000 viewers on Sky Sports, with that broadcaster carrying over 100 hours of coverage of the raceday action, including British 125GP, British Supersports, Metzeler Racetec National Superstock and Virgin Mobile Cup together with the Superbikes.

Spectator attendances at the circuits for Superbikes were also significantly increased, with some 317,100 attending the twelve rounds - an average of 26,425, which is some 2000 up on the previous year, and that, despite bad weather at three meetings, and the loss of a fourth, at Mondello Park, because of torrential rain.

“The figures speak for the themselves. We have a compelling product that has wide ranging appeal and is taking our sport to a whole new audience, who importantly are showing that they want more of the same,” reflected Tony Partis, the managing director of Dorna UK, the commercial rights holders of the championship.

“We have worked hard to achieve these results and are delighted with the quality of the television broadcasts and the massed audiences they are reaching - the figures have shown consistent improvements over the whole season and now we are working to achieve even better on and off the track.”

The British Superbike Championship has high profile factory supported teams from five of the world's leading manufacturers and is decided over 13 double race rounds held at the country's leading circuits, with a trip also to the Irish Mondello Park circuit also included.

The 2007 season begins at Brands Hatch on Easter Monday 9 April, with coverage again on both ITV1 and Sky Sports.

ENDS