SBK, Dorna awaits the Pannonia Ring with Estoril in the background

The Superbike will be back on track in three weeks. But, in Dorna's offices in Barcelona, they're working hard to resolve and define the calendar for this season. The only question still waiting to be answered is, in fact, the one related to the Balaton round.

The Hungarian race, included in the calendar in the second half of August after Portimão, seems to be leaving the scene soon. Despite a 10-year agreement with the promoter,  HUMDA (Hungarian Motorsport and Green Mobility Development Agency), the problem is tied to the costs they would have to incurred, in order to adapt the track from four to two wheels.

Dorna, to this regard, hasn't just been sitting there doing nothing. It has been implementing a Plan B, which involves the Pannonia-Ring. In fact, about two weeks ago, Dorna and FIM inspected the Hungarian track, lwhich is located about an hour and a half away from the Graz airport and over two from Budapest.

Quick and timely action is needed so that the Pannonia Ring can be homologated, since the pits available are limited and the paddock area is too small to accommodate all the facilities. And as if that weren't enough, there's also the matter concerning the construction of a press room and of the grandstands for the public. Apparently, it's going to be a sort of race against time to ensure Hungary's return to the World Championship.

Dorna is aware of the current situation, therefore, it has assessed  a third possibility, that being Estoril. Until two years ago,it hosted the Superbike, but then dropped out of the calendar in the SBK. So, a double round in Portugal, after the one in Portimão scheduled from August 9th to 11th, can't be ruled out.

And, to end the discussion regarding the calendar, BMW would like a round in Germany with Hockenheim, teasing the top management of the Munich-based constructor to such an extent that they've already interfaced with the Organizer. According to paddock rumors, however, they'll have to wait until 2025, if not later, for Germany to return to the calendar.