The FIM has issued a series of important new rules for the 2012 World Superbike Championship and most are aimed at cost saving measures.
As highly anticipated, Superbikes will be limited to a single bike per rider as it is currently in Supersport and Superstock 1000, which will means that the flag-to-flag rule will also be dropped.
Supersport teams will be limited to using only eight engines per year while Superstock are allowed just three.
Practice and qualifying sessions will go from 60 minutes to 45 minutes.
As in MotoGP, they’ve put a test ban in place which will go from December 1st to January 15th, and most importantly they’ve decided that the twin-cylinder minimum weight will be increased from 165kg to 171kg, six more that the three and four cylinders (which will effect Ducati, while waiting for manufacturer KTM to release their WSBK plans).
The application of handicaps to the 1200 two cylinder has also been modified, but details have yet to be releasedFIM press release after the jump.
FIM Superbike & Supersport World ChampionshipsFIM Superstock CupChanges to the RegulationsThe Superbike Commission, composed of Mr Paolo Flammini (IMS Chief Executive Officer), Ignacio Verneda (FIM Executive Director, Sport), Giulio Bardi (Team representative), during a telephone conference held on October 27th, with the participation of Mr Paolo Ciabatti (IMS Director), Charles Hennekam (FIM CTI Coordinator) and Paul Duparc (FIM CCR Coordinator) unanimously decided to introduce the following modifications to the Road Racing Superbike & Supersport World Championship and FIM Superstock Cup.
Changes in bold.
Immediate ApplicationPRACTICE RESTRICTIONSPractice by riders and teams contracted to compete in the FIM Superbike World Championship is prohibited from the 1st of December until the 15th of January.
Application from 01/01/2012AGE OF COMPETITORSSuperstock riders: riders born between 1st January 1986 and 29th March 1996.
SCHEDULEFree and qualifying practices for Superbike reduced from 60 to 45 minutes.
New timetable for the Superpole.
DRY SUPERPOLE FOR SUPERBIKE– The first 16 riders of the qualifying practice results will take part in Superpole 1.
– The first 12 riders of the Superpole 1 results will take part in Superpole 2.
– The first 8 riders of the Superpole 2 results will take part in Superpole 3.
WET SUPERPOLE FOR SUPERBIKE– The first 16 riders of the qualifying practice results will take part in the wet Superpole 1 for 20 minutes.
– The first 8 riders of the wet Superpole 1 results will take part in wet Superpole for 20 minutes.
WEATHER CONDITIONS FOR RACES FOR ALL CLASSES (SUPERBIKE INCLUDED)Dry Races – A race classified as dry will be interrupted by the Race Director, if he considers that weather conditions affecting the surface of the track make it likely that riders will wish to change tyres.
Wet Races – A race classified as wet, usually commenced in variable or wet conditions, will not be interrupted for climatic reasons and riders who wish to change tyres or make adjustments must enter the pits and do so during the actual race.
In all cases where the first race is stopped for climatic reasons, then the restart will, automatically, be a “wet” race.
INTERRUPTION OF A RACE (RED FLAG)All riders competing in the race at the time the red flag was displayed can restart (providing they are ready for the restarted race).
TECHNICAL CONTROLSTeams may present for Technical Control one (1) motorcycle per rider for the Superbike, Supersport and Superstock classes, which will be specially identified by the Technical Controllers.
MINIMUM WEIGHT FOR SUPERBIKE1000cc 3 and 4 Cylinders: 165 Kg1200cc 2 Cylinders: 171 KgThere is no tolerance on the minimum weight.
MINIMUM WEIGHT FOR SUPERSTOCKThe minimum weight for each model will be calculated by reducing the “dry weight” of the motorcycle by 8% and rounding off the result to the lower whole number.
In any case the minimum weight cannot be lower than 165 Kg.
There is no tolerance on the minimum weight.
BALANCING VARIOUS MOTORCYCLE CONCEPTS – SUPERBIKEThe procedure for the application of handicaps to 1200cc 2 Cylinder motorcycles has been modified.
ENGINE – SUPERSPORTThe total number of engines that can be used by each rider during the entire Championship is limited to eight (8).
ENGINE – SUPERSTOCKThe total number of engines that can be used by each rider during the entire Championship is limited to three (3).
PENALTIES FOR BEHAVIOUR DURING THE EVENT- Penalties that may be pronounced by the Race Direction- a warning- a fine- a drop of position- a ride through- a time penalty- a drop of any number of grid positions at the rider’s next race- a disqualification- a withdrawal of Championship points- a suspensionFurthermore, the Race Direction can refer the case to the International Disciplinary Court (CDI) in order to impose a higher penalty than the Race Direction is empowered to do.
– Penalties that may be pronounced by the FIM Stewards Panel only following an appeal:- a warning- a fine- a time penalty- a drop of any number of grid positions at the rider’s next race- a disqualification- a withdrawal of Championship points- a suspensionFurthermore, the FIM Stewards Panel can refer the case to the International Disciplinary Court (CDI) in order to impose a higher penalty than the FIM Stewards Panel is empowered to do.
FIRST TIME APPLICATION FOR HOMOLOGATIONThe same procedure described for the Superbike homologation will also apply to the Supersport homologation for manufacturers which have never taken part in the FIM Supersport World Championship with any of their models.
The deadline by which the total production quantity (1000 units for first time application or 2000 units for subsequent homologations) must be reached is the 31st of December of the year in which the homologation has been obtained.
