THE FIM has released a new rule changes for the 2012 World Superbike championship with an aim for cost reducing measures.
For the Superbike class the major update is the introduction of a one bike per rider, following the Supersport and Superstock categories - meaning an end to the flag-to-flag racing.
Like MotoGP, testing will be banned over the winter period, starting from December 1st to January 15th.
Importantly for Ducati, and possibly KTM, the commission have decided to increase the weight of 1200cc twins from 165kg to 171kg, a further 6kg on-top of the limit for three and four cylinders.
Supersport teams will be limited to using eight engines per season and Superstock allowed three.
Full details from the FIM press release:
FIM Superbike & Supersport World Championships
FIM Superstock Cup
Changes to the Regulations
The 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 Application
PRACTICE RESTRICTIONS
Practice 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 01/01/2012
AGE OF COMPETITORS
Superstock riders: riders born between 1st January 1986 and 29th March 1996.
SCHEDULE
Free 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 CONTROLS
Teams 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 SUPERBIKE
1000cc 3 and 4 Cylinders: 165 Kg
1200cc 2 Cylinders: 171 Kg
There is no tolerance on the minimum weight.
MINIMUM WEIGHT FOR SUPERSTOCK
The 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 – SUPERBIKE
The procedure for the application of handicaps to 1200cc 2 Cylinder motorcycles has been modified.
ENGINE – SUPERSPORT
The total number of engines that can be used by each rider during the entire Championship is limited to eight (8).
ENGINE – SUPERSTOCK
The 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 suspension
Furthermore, 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 suspension
Furthermore, 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 HOMOLOGATION
The 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.
