In last night’s Q1 at Monza, BMW’s Leon Haslam secured provisional pole but it wasn’t that that most journalists were discussing this morning. It was the amazing speed trap time set by Max Biaggi on the “works” Aprilia. 332.5km/h (2 km/h faster than the fastest speed set last year – also by Biaggi)
However, there is another topic that is exercising minds at the moment and that is the future of the WSBK itself. As suggested when the FIM initially announced MotoGp regulations for 2012, there was the potential for the regulations to severely impact upon the health and well-being of WSBK (indeed, some suggested that the regulations were deliberately framed to scuttle WSBK). It now seems that those fears are being realised. 22 bikes on the grid for tomorrow night’s race, one “works” team without a banner sponsor and the “feeder” class, 600 Supersport, atrophying also with reduced manufacturer support and privateer involvement. 32 bikes on the gird in that class where, a few years ago, the class filled up the maximum grid loading allowed at every track they visited.
You don’t have to be a rocket scientist to figure out that running a 600cc Moto2 bike instead of a Supersport bike could actually be cheaper and gain you more TV and attendance exposure.
And you don’t have to be a brain surgeon to realise that more than just a handful of riders AND teams from WSBK are already eying a graduation to MotoGp in 2012.
So, why the desertion? Simple, money. While WSBK/WSS is the “people’s” championship, running bikes that look and sound substantially like what you and I ride, MotoGp/Moto2 is the “glamour” class, attracting more spectators, more TV exposure and more advertising dollars. You can’t blame people for being attracted to it.
What’s the answer? I don’t know. But WSBK needs to be (and hopefully IS) working very hard behind the scenes to safeguard what is left of what has been one of the most exciting motorcycle racing concepts ever invented.