WSBK – The FIM changes some World Superbike rules –

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The FIM changes some World Superbike rules

WSBK - The FIM changes some World Superbike rules -

The World Superbike regulations are undergoing some retouching for next season. In 2012, WSBK riders will be entitled to only one motorcycle, and the twin cylinders will be ballasted by 6 kg. Other small changes are in the program.

The Superbike Commission of the Federation Internationale de Motocyclisme, composed of Paolo Flammini (General Manager of Infront Media Sport), Ignacio Verneda (FIM Executive Director of Sport), Giulio Bardi (Team representative), in agreement with Paolo Ciabatti (Director of IMS), Charles Hennekam (FIM International Technical Commission Coordinator) and Paul Duparc (FIM Road Racing Commission Coordinator) agreed, on October 27, to make some changes to the WSBK regulations.

First of all, drivers and teams registered for the Superbike World Championship cannot perform any test between December 1 and January 15. A restriction that takes the example of the one already in force in Moto GP.

The Superbike category also aligns with those of Supersport and Superstock on the fact that, from now on, each rider can only have one bike to compete in each race weekend! Senior officials hope to limit costs and swell the ranks (see list at end of article).

Also, the possibility of changing motorbikes in the event of the arrival of rain during a race declared "dry" is mechanically abandoned … In this case in 2012 therefore, the red flag will be hoisted and will give rise to a new start..

In the opposite case of a round launched on a wet track which tends to dry out, the rider will be free to return to the pits to put on his only motorcycle slick tires … Site’s little finger tells us that they shouldn’t be very many !

In order to further limit costs, the practice sessions in SBK will be shortened to reach the duration of the SSP and STK sessions, namely 45 minutes (instead of 60 minutes previously). The appearance of the Superpole has not changed, except in the event of rain: two 20-minute sessions will see successively fight for pole position the 16 then the 8 fastest drivers..

Another "size" modification made to the World Superbike regulations: the 1200 cc twin cylinders (the Ducatis therefore, but also the KTM RC8s which could be in line with a few races in 2012) see their minimum weight increase by 6 kg to reach 171 kg.

The three and four cylinders – the FIM can always dream of a big Daytona alongside the Aprilia and the Japanese … – keep their 165 kilograms "great minimum" observed last season.

Finally, in order to temper – more effectively? – the ardor of the 1198 (2011 world champion with Checa), the Commission announces that it has modified the procedure for applying the handicaps of the Twins. But it is careful not to go into detail, as the twin / 4-cylinder equivalence is controversial. !

Weighted – and more restrained on admission? -, will the Ducati n ° 7 driven by the King Checa (or will he wear the n ° 1?) be as domineering as in 2011? Will 4-cylinder pilots be able to fight back? And what about other Ducati riders ?

The answers will be discovered next year on Site. But until then, stay tuned to follow all the news of the WSBK 2012 !

Teams and drivers formalized for the WSBK 2012 (as of Nov 2, 2011)

Aprilia:
Max Biaggi and Eugene Laverty

BMW Motorrad:
Leon Haslam and Marco Melandri

BMW Italia:
Ayrton Badovini and Michel Fabrizio

Ducati Althea:
Carlos Checa and Davide Giugliano

Ducati Effenbert-Liberty:
Sylvain Guintoli

Ducati ParkinGO:
Chaz davies

Ducati Roma (ex-Supersonic):
NC

Honda Ten Kate:
Jonathan Rea and Hiroshi Aoyama

Kawasaki Racing Team:
NC

Suzuki Crescent:
Leon camier

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