1997 FIM Superbike European Championship

Despite the apparent success of the Euro Open Championship the Superbike class was abolished for 1997 and instead the European Championship points were awarded, as in 1992 and 1993, to European-licensed competitors in the European rounds of the World Championship. Never more than a dozen riders entered for the European class at these events and the season ended up being dominated by Suzuki Deutschland's Udo Mark, who only appeared in 10 of the 16 races but won every single one. Best of the rest were Giorgio Cantalupo and Anton Gruschka, who lacked the funding of Mark's Suzuki-supported team but fought between themselves for 2nd and 3rd in the standings. The on-track highlight of their battle came at Monza when they were enveloped in the World Championship slipstream battle (albeit a lap down) and crossed the line with 0.001 seconds between them.

DateRd.CircuitEvent NameResults
1997-04-201Flag of Italy MisanoWorld Superbike San Marino RoundGO!
1997-05-042Flag of Great Britain Donington ParkWorld Superbike British RoundGO!
1997-06-083Flag of Germany HockenheimWorld Superbike German RoundGO!
1997-06-224Flag of Italy MonzaWorld Superbike Italian RoundGO!
1997-08-035Flag of Great Britain Brands HatchWorld Superbike European RoundGO!
1997-08-176Flag of Austria A1-RingWorld Superbike Austrian RoundGO!
1997-08-317Flag of Netherlands AssenWorld Superbike Dutch RoundGO!
1997-09-218Flag of Spain AlbaceteWorld Superbike Spanish RoundGO!

Can You Help?

The following official data is currently missing:

1997-04-20 Misano: Free Practice 2, Warm-Up

1997-06-08 Hockenheim: Qualifying 2

Copies of any of this information would be greatly appreciated. If you have any additional information about this season's races or riders, please contact me!