The FIM has issued some major changes to the rules for the WSBK for next year. However, there might be at least one manufacturer who won’t be happy with the changes.
Amongst the most significant changes is the increase in the weight that must be carried by twin-cylinder motorcycles. It has been increased from 165kgs to 171kgs, a whopping 6kgs. Now those that have followed the saga will know that it has always been Ducati’s assertion that the rules suit the Japanese bikes better than their own that has led to them blackmailing the organisers to frame the technical regulations to suit their twin-cylinder machines and to deliberately hobble the Japanese bikes.
Indeed, it was the factory’s dissatisfaction that the organisers had finally decided to redress the balance and make the playing field more level (something that Ducati have NEVER wanted) that led the factory to pull out of this year’s championship and have their flag flown by the Althea squad.
Unsurprisingly, the regulations are still so skewed in favour of Ducati, that they won the championship anyway, winning nearly every race. So the FIM is just recognising that they need to do even more to help all manufacturers compete on an equal footing.
The next sound that you will hear will be howls of displeasure emanating from the general vicinity of Bolonga.
Other regulations will restrict each rider to one bike, bringing Superbike in line with SS1000 and SS600. Supersporet teams will be restricted to 8 engines per year and Superstock to 3 engines per year.
Practice and qualifying sessions will now be 60 minutes instead of 45 minutes.
Interesting times ahead.