WorldSBK head honcho Daniel Carrera has confirmed the split race weekend format will continue into 2018 but the controverisal reverse grid system will be reviewed at the end of the year.

Carrera and his team introduced the Saturday and Sunday race format last year and says it has proved successful in terms of spectator numbers. A three-race weekend was also considered but binned on cost grounds.

“After the experience from last year they are now happy, we were able to maintain attendance on Sunday and increase the Saturday. Organisers support the format and see the advantages we will continue with this format,” Carrera told bikesportnews.com at Donington Park.

“Many options were considered, and the option of a race on Saturday and two on a Sunday were considered but that was increasing the costs for the teams, but we are quite happy with the format.”

Tom Sykes yesterday slated the reverse grid system as being dangerous as he believes it causes crashes and it hasn’t affected the early part of Sunday’s race hugely as Rea and Davies have been able to get to the front without too much bother.

“I think we were expecting something else from the system. We saw an impact at Aragon and Imola, the rest of the races the riders were in front and I think it was related because the gap between the top guys and the rest,” said Carrera.

“I think if the gap was not that big the system would be providing different scenarios. The target of the system was first to offer something different and offer the opportunity to other riders who are usually not in front, and to make it more riders to compete for the championship. We will analyse at the end of the season and we will see if we continue with it.”