WSB BOSSES are in talks with bike manufacturers over a new 300cc race series based on production machines such as Yamaha’s YZF-R3.
The class would allow ‘varied capacities’, making the inclusion of KTM’s RC390 also likely. The aim is to provide a ‘low cost platform to develop new talent,’ according to WSB organiser Dorna.
Kawasaki’s Ninja 300 is also likely to be a contender.
Honda’s CBR300R seems less competitive, using a 286cc single-cylinder engine where the R3 and Ninja are twins. The RC390 is a single but has an 87cc capacity advantage over the Honda.
A statement from Dorna said: ‘At a meeting on 16th December 2014, the Superbike Commission approved assembly of a working group comprising of any interested machine manufacturers to develop a class structure for an entry level category. The category would be based on the burgeoning Supersport 300 class machinery and would aim to include varied capacities and engine configurations, with the aim to provide a low cost platform to develop new talent.’
Choose your weapon – how the likely contenders stack up
| Engine | Power | Torque | Weight | Price | |
| Yamaha YZF-R3 | 321cc parallel twin | 42hp | 21.8lbft | 169kg (wet) | £4,799 plus OTR |
| Kawasaki Ninja 300 | 296cc parallel twin | 39hp | 19.9bft | 172kg (wet) | £5,159 plus OTR |
| KTM RC390 | 373cc single | 43hp | 25.8lbft | 147kg (dry) | £4,999 plus OTR |
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