British Superbike series director Stuart Higgs has said the Showdown points scoring system will stay for the 2012 season as, even though all riders will be on much more equal machinery next season, it has made for a more exciting spectacle.
The system was brought in last year after Leon Camier wiped the floor with everyone in 2009, winning 19 races and breaking all sorts of points records. Higgs and his boss Jonathan Palmer decided then to bring in the system to ensure the championship went down to the wire, which is subsequently did last year.
It has been divisive among armchair experts and some riders, including Shane Byrne, are against it but Higgs maintains that the paying public like the fact it takes the championship to the end of the year. He added that sports entertainment needs freshening up every once in a while or interest is lost.
"Those vehemently against will always be. In NASCAR they've had the Chase since 2003 and opinion is still divided but the argument is now flawed. A principle point is that all you have to do is cruise into the top six rendering the early races meaningless," said Higgs, speaking to bikesportnews.com this morning.
"Tommy Hill has shown a superior strike rate of first and seconds so far which now gives him a slight advantage proving every race does count. It's all about winning, which is what racing is all about isn't it?
"We did market research to ticket purchasers after Oulton Park last year and there was clear approval. The teams and their sponsors are fully supportive. There's some mixed views from riders but those against something will always be more vocal than those who either support it or are indifferent.
"Going into Cadwell the multiple scenarios that could have happened were a bit more interesting than if we hasm't had the Showdown system. Widening the depth of competition and having many different talking points in each race at each event is what will keep the grids filled by teams and their backers, and the spectators interested. As we said at the start, nigh on every other sport has changed its presentation and competition format to keep it fresh. "
