WSBK – Interview Daniel Carrera: What future for WorldSBK? –

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Interview Daniel Carrera: What future for WorldSBK ?

Site took advantage of the WorldSBK 2017 coming to Magny-Cours to speak with the executive director of the championship, Daniel Carrera. On the agenda in particular: the future Superbike regulations, the future of the Supersport 600, the rise of the Supersport 300… On-track interview !

Site: La Dorna provided an update on the Superbike Commission meetings in June. Where are you today ?
Daniel Carrera, WorldSBK Executive Director: Discussions remain open. We started them very early in the season, as always, with the International Motorcycling Federation (FIM) and the Manufacturers Association (MSMA). Naturally, a lot of rumors have circulated on the subject. We remain faithful to our objectives: find the best balance between each manufacturer and model of motorcycle, contain costs, reduce the gaps between official and private teams … We want our regulations to reflect the reality of the market as much as possible, because our championship is based on production models. This is our main concern. We want to intervene in all these areas because we are convinced that this will allow us to generate the best show, the best entertainment for the fans..

MNC: What changes are planned for 2018 ?
D. C .: We are talking about the possibility of restricting the engines at certain speeds. The majority of manufacturers support this idea, as they consider that it could balance the board a bit. We are currently researching, with our technical director, what percentage of additional RPM we could give to the racing motor, compared to the model sold on the market. At the same time, we are working on budgetary ceilings for official teams’ "packages", so that private teams can access the same material. We are also considering introducing a system of concession points, the idea being the following: the teams which do good results score points and do not have the right to develop their motorcycle or to intervene on the engine, while the others in the background are not limited. Here are the main proposals discussed in the Superbike commission. We are still exchanging our opinions, but an agreement should be quickly found because the manufacturers want to start working !

MNC: Do you always study the possibility of integrating, as in MotoGP or BSB in particular? ?
D. C .: Yes, but unlike previous reflections which could result as early as 2018, the issue of the ECU has been postponed because it requires in-depth evaluations on sensors, software, type of case that could match all brands. We still have to work.

MNC: Would you like to steer the Superbike more towards the Superstock ?
D. C .: We want to stick to the market. But we know that racing machines can’t be completely stocked, in which case the best motorcycle on the market would take it all. We have to find the right balance between the two.

MNC: Isn’t the Superstock 1000 likely to disappear in the medium term ?
D. C .: The category will be on the program next year, that’s for sure. Then it will be necessary to re-examine the question, according to the new Superbike regulations..

MNC: Are you satisfied with the merger between the Supersport and the Superstock 600 ?
D. C .: Yes, because we have a lot of registrants. We will also work on the regulations, there is room for improvement in terms of costs. But we are happy because the category is in good shape and the spectacle is there. We consider the 600 to be the perfect middle class between the WSSP 300 and the WSBK.

MNC: Except that apart from Yamaha, the manufacturers are not interested in this displacement…
D. C .: In three to four years, in fact, we will be facing this problem because some brands plan to stop production. We are now studying, with the manufacturers, if other models on the market could replace them, offering the same type of performance and being able to correspond to this average category..

MNC: Are you thinking of a Supersport revolution, rather than an evolution? Do you think of the roadsters, or why not neo-retro ?!
D. C.: (Smile) We will listen to the builders to find out what their plans, their productions and their interests are. These products must adapt to use on the circuit and remain well placed between the Supersport 300 and the Superbike 1000. Technically, they must properly prepare the pilots for the Superbike..

MNC: The domination of Kawasaki and Ducati is not limited to the technical level. The financial and human resources they employ are just as decisive. How do you plan to encourage other manufacturers to invest more? ?
D. C .: There is no quick fix. Above all, we want to offer manufacturers a fair settlement because we know that afterwards, their professionalism, their experience, the aptitude of the teams and the talent of the pilots will follow. I know that right now, we can consider that Jonathan Rea would lead the championship whatever the rules. Our role is to create the best possible base, then brands, teams and drivers fight to reach the top..

MNC: Jonathan Rea should be forced to drive upside down to spice things up ?
D. C .: When you follow a sport, you don’t want to know the result in advance. But Jonathan Rea is so brave, he is at the top of his game! We have already had the case of drivers who dominated the championship but they did not kill him so far. As a fan, we would definitely like to see more brawl. The unpredictability of races is important to us too.

MNC: The British riders have been crushing the Superbike championship for several seasons, and the French spectators do not even have a representative this year … Is there not a way to ensure a place for each "great" nation in the world championship ?
D. C .: Yes, it is precisely for this purpose that the was created to promote young talents via an accessible platform that allows them to start their careers internationally. We observe that many countries and national federations intend to adopt this category. It is for us the guarantee, in the near future, to fill the WSBK tray.

MNC: Could you set up a sort of "Champions League", like the one organized in football by UEFA? A championship where the champions and vice-champions of each country would meet ?
D. C .: We have indeed discussed the subject with national federations in order to find an agreement of this type. That the best drivers from the national championships can advance to the FIM Supersport 300 world championship the following year.

Interview by Matthieu BRETILLE

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