World Superbike Rules Controversy

On the 9^th July, the FIM - Federation Internationale Motorcicliste and FGSPORT, decided to adopt a new set of rules for the FIM Superbike World Championship, rules that have been harmonized with the AMA and British Superbike Championships and that are in course to be adopted by:

The FIM Superbike World Championship
The FIM Endurance World Championship
The AMA Superbike Championship
The British Superbike Championship
The Italian Superbike Championship

Among the others, most probably, DMSB will use them for the German National Motorcycle Top Series.

In consideration of all the above, we are glad to communicate the targets that we wish to achieve with those decisions:

Globalization: the great consensus achieved from so many partners of different countries is the best demonstration that the new rules are well designed and will therefore accelerate the development of the Superbike Class, Worldwide. One of the most important advantages generated with this situation is the possibility for the teams to buy and sell their equipment in a huge market.

Affordable Costs: the current world economic situation suggested to create a regulation which makes it easier for the participants to buy the necessary technology at an affordable price and with a high level of availability. This means to obtain “full grid”. Furthermore, such a regulation will create great opportunities for the “aftermarket”.

Fair Conditions for Everybody: one of the most important goals of this regulation is to balance the performances between Private and Official teams. The Superbike Class philosophy has been since the beginning: “Great show and controlled costs”, something that offers everyone the possibility to be competitive.

Long Term Validity of the Rules: in order to stabilize the Superbike Class the rules will be valid in the long term.

The Air Restictor Rules: in order to maintain a sufficient level of performances, notwithstanding the limitation of the air-intake, the air-restrictor rules requested from the manufacturers, need much freedom in the engine tuning. This gives the green light to the use of sophisticated technologies which cause high costs to the participants and diminishes the availability of tuned motorcycles in the market. It is also important to underline that already during his press conference on the 21st of May, the FIM President, Francesco Zerbi, in the presence of the MSMA representatives and the promoters representatives, announced the need to adopt different rules in order to safeguard the interest of the sport.

The new set of rules that will be adopted will allow easier and wider access to the Superbike class, which will be nearer to the production motorcycles. This represents a major step forward in the development of motorcycle sport worldwide and in the general interest of all the parties involved.