Regarding the sporting regulations, there has been some news where a new procedure for podium ceremonies has been decided. With this in mind, and in accordance with the FIM World Championships, it has been decided that the pit lane cannot be opened at a podium ceremony if the podium is in the pit lane itself or above the pit lane in question. 2022 will mark the beginning of the new generation of WorldSSP, with the technical rules to homologate more bikes for the championship. The Ducati Panigale V2, MV Agusta F3 800 and Triumph ST765RS will be used as new bikes in 2022, while the Kawasaki ZX-6R and Yamaha YZF-R6 return. Other homologated bikes include the Honda CBR600RR, MV Agusta F3, MV Agusta F3 Superveloce, Suzuki GSX-R600, Suzuki GSX-R750 and Triumph 675R. Jonathan Rea won his fourth Superbike World Championship title for Kawasaki. Superbike racing bikes are derived from production models. In the past, however, manufacturers have used loopholes in the rules to create “homologation specials” – low-production motorcycles specifically designed for racing. In addition to introducing new updates and clarifications on concession parts and speed limits for all classes, the 2020 technical rules set the standards required for the use of wings and aerodynamic aids in WorldSBK. All manufacturers may only use approved standard mechanisms and the movement mania must be the same as that normally used by approved road machinery. During the season, the number of complete bikes was limited to one per rider; This meant that the rules that allowed changing bikes during a race (flag to flag) were repealed. [32] [33] Following the introduction of the Ducati 1098 in 2007, powered by a 1,099cc V-twin engine, Ducati demanded that the Superbike rules be changed to allow V-twins up to 1,200cc to compete with 1,000cc four-cylinder motorcycles.
Ducati argued that they were no longer producing a 1,000cc V-twin superbike in roadworthy condition[19] and that the level of configuration now required to make their 999 competitive on the track was too expensive. [20] Ducati said they would resign if the rules were not changed,[19] while Alstare Suzuki team boss Francis Batta also said his team would retire if the new rules gave Ducati an unfair advantage. In a season cut short by the Covid pandemic, Jonathan Rea won his sixth Superbike World Championship title for Kawasaki. From next year, the Superbike World Championship will have updated the technical and sporting regulations, following a meeting that took place in Portimao between 6 and 8 October, when the World Championship was held in Portugal. Members from Dorna, MSMA and FIM were present at the meeting, including Jorge Viegas as President of the Fédération Internationale de Moto (FIM). To participate in World Supersport, a motorcycle must have a four-stroke engine between 400 and 600 cc for the four-cylinder, 500 and 675 cc for the triple and between 600 and 750 cc for the twins and meet the FIM homologation requirements. The rules of World Supersport are much stricter than in the world of Superbike. The chassis of a super sports machine must remain largely standard, engine tuning is possible, but strictly regulated. As in the world of Superbike, a control tyre is used, although Supersport regulations stipulate that tyres must be legal on the road and therefore racing slicks are not allowed.
The bikes that race in the championship are tuned versions of bikes available to the public, unlike MotoGP where specially designed machines are used. MotoGP is the motorcycle equivalent of Formula One, while Superbike races are similar to sports car racing. In 2003, the FIM changed the regulations to launch 1,000cc machines (twins, three-cylinders or four-cylinders). Rule changes in MotoGP to allow four-stroke engines forced Japanese manufacturers to concentrate their resources there and leave the Superbike World Championship with limited participation at the factory[7] (Ducati and Suzuki only). Riders from all over the world compete in the Superbike World Championship. The championship is perhaps the most followed in Italy due to Ducati and the UK, where Superbike racing was the most popular form of motorcycle racing. National Superbike races are held in several countries, including the United States, Great Britain and Japan. Australian and American drivers have traditionally been successful in the world championship. No American driver had won a race since Colin Edwards won the championship in 2002 until Ben Spies joined the series in 2009, but no American competed in the series between 2003 and 2007. This new signage will be applied to the other FIM Circuit Racing Championships managed by the FIM (Endurance, Sidecar, JuniorGP, MotoE, Red Bull Rookies Cup, MiniGP World Series). The Continental Federations were advised to harmonise their rules with those of the FIM.
The FIM will recommend the same harmonisation with the national associations for their national series. With MotoGP machines reduced from 990cc to 800cc, 1000cc Superbikes, both in the World Championship and in the best national championships (AMA Superbike and British Superbike), became the most successful (but not the most powerful) bikes to ride on the road in 2007. While Superbikes stayed two seconds or more per lap slower than MotoGP bikes on most circuits where both races were held, they had the same or more power. [13] [14] Troy Bayliss tried to defend his title by riding a Ducati 999 again. Although production of the 999 ended in 2006 and the bike was replaced by the Ducati 1098, Ducati produced 150,999 limited in an increased racing specification to meet homologation requirements. Bayliss` main rivals in defending his title were former MotoGP rider Max Biaggi on a Suzuki, 2004 champion James Toseland on a Honda and Noriyuki Haga on a Yamaha. Honda realised that 1,000cc V-twin engines were more suited to the Superbike racing formula and introduced its own V-twin motorcycle, the VTR1000 SPW, in 2000. The result was immediately clear when Colin Edwards won the championship in the bike`s first year of racing. Ducati regained the title in 2001 with Troy Bayliss. Colin Edwards reclaimed the title in 2002 on the same VTR1000 SPW motorcycle. The Superbike World Championship (also known as WorldSBK, SBK, World Superbike, WSB or WSBK) is a series of road races based on heavily modified production motorcycles.
The new rules also changed the minimum number of bicycles required for certification. For 2008 and 2009, all manufacturers, regardless of total production, had to produce at least 1,000 bicycles to obtain certification. From 2010, the minimum number of production was increased to 3,000 bicycles. In the past, small manufacturers were only allowed to build 150 bikes to meet homologation requirements. Manufacturers took the opportunity to produce “special homologations” – highly tuned versions of their road bikes with performance parts designed specifically for racing. [23] Previously, drivers in all three categories had to set a lap time in Tissot Superpole sessions that did not exceed 107% of the fastest driver`s time. For 2022, this will change and be reduced to 105% of the fastest time. If the fastest time in Superpole is exactly 1:00,000s, the minimum time would be 1:03,000s to qualify for the race.
