After the cancellation of the WorldSBK plans, Benro Racing is pleased to announce that they’ve been given the opportunity to start in 2020 season. With the help of several parties Tom Toparis will compete for the Dutch team in the British Supersport. The opening round of the BSB championship will take place from 7 to 9 August at Donington Park.  

A few weeks ago, Benro Racing unfortunately had to announce that they wouldn’t be able to start in the World Supersport championship. Financial reasons, caused by the corona situation, were the reason of a sad decision. After sharing the news there was a lot of response, also from James Redman. Benro Racing met the British manager last year at the IDM in Hockenheim. Redman made it possible for Benro Racing, together with the help of several other parties, to compete in the BSB 2020 season. 

The Dutch team will work with a small crew and one rider; Tom Toparis. The Australian will compete in the British Supersport, the class in which he scored a podium in Assen last year. Redman will act as Toparis manager to help the 20-year old rider in his motorsport career. Benro Racing has a short preparation time, because the first BSB round is already from 7 to 9 August. The event will take place at Donington Park and it’s the first one of in total six BSB rounds in 2020. The British Supersport riders will have three races each event.

Team manager Sraar van Rens: "It was a huge disappointment for us that we couldn’t start in the WorldSBK. Partly thanks to the help of James Redman we can now share the news that we’re going to ride in 2020 anyway. I’m very happy about that. I want to thank our partners and specially Stuart Higgs for his help and to make it all possible in such a short time. For Tom [Toparis] it’s a great opportunity to measure himself in this strong competition and this gives us the chance to grow as a team. Last year Tom was very strong in Assen with a BSB wildcard. We’re curious how it will work out this season. It will be a busy week to prepare ourselves, but we are very motivated to make it a great BSB season!”

2020 BSB calendar
Round 1 | 7-9 August | Donington Park
Round 2 | 21-23 August | Snetterton
Round 3 | 4-6 September | Silverstone
Round 4 | 18-20 September | Oulton Park
Round 5 | 2-4 October | Donington Park
Round 6 | 16-18 October | Brands Hatch

After long consideration Benro Racing unfortunately has decided not to start in the 2020 season. The Dutch team would compete in the World Supersport 600 Championship with Tom Toparis and Gianluca Sconza. The current Covid-19 situation in combination with the financial consequences has forced to this difficult decision.
​
After four seasons in the IDM championship Benro Racing could proudly make the step to the WorldSBK paddock. Last winter the team worked hard to get all the equipment ready for the start of the season. Australian Tom Toparis and Italian Gianluca Sconza were presented as riders. The team planned to compete in the European races of the World Supersport 600 championship. 
 
The unexpected pop-up of Covid-19 delayed the start of the season. At the end of June the organisation of the championship came up with the news that the season would start in the second part of the year. In the meantime the Covid-19 situation has created a lot of damage, as well health wise as financially. It was clear that this also affected the Benro Racing riders. After many conversations in the past weeks the team unfortunately had to decide not to start this year. Later this year Benro Racing will make a choice about the options for the 2021 season. 

Team manager Sraar van Rens: “I was happy and proud with our step to the WorldSBK paddock after four IDM seasons. With confidence in the qualities of our crew and riders, we were ready for the start of the 2020 season at the beginning of March. With pain in my heart we recently had to decide not to start. Health always comes first and talent itself is not enough in this sport. The financial aspect that comes largely through sponsorship is essential to move forward. I hope that 2021 will be a better year for every individual and every business.”