News

As the lights are preparing to go out on the 2018 MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship, teams and riders have spent the winter preparing for the updates in the WorldSBK class, which are set to welcome more parity between factories and teams, a more affordable championship and closer racing. In case you missed the main updates for the series, as they were released in November WorldSBK.com takes you through the three main updates to keep you on track ahead of the season opener.

 Rev Limit

“The balancing system using air restrictors has been replaced with a rev limiting system. The rev limit can be altered at various points throughout the season and applies to each individual manufacturer.”

How will a rev limit affect teams?

Rev limits will apply to individual manufacturers, and have been implemented to provide more parity throughout the championship in order to balance performance of riders. Bringing a greater challenge to riders, the cream will continue to rise to the top as riders have to work with more or less power. Altered at various points of the season, it will ensure to keep riders and teams on their toes as the power of the machine can vary throughout the year, depending on the success.

Concessions

“A concession points system will be introduced to restrict engine development of the fastest machines. At certain stages in the season teams that have achieved fewer concession points will be allowed to introduce updated concession parts.

As a secondary benefit, the private teams will get access to cost capped engine parts to help them reach performance levels similar to the factory supported teams.”

What will happen when teams receive concessions points?

In order to restrict engine development on the fastest machines, concessions points will be introduced throughout the season. Points will be awarded when a manufacturer finishes on the podium; three points for a win, two for second position and one for third. In a bid to see struggling manufacturers improve throughout the season, the ones with the least points will be able to introduce new parts. Evening-out the teams, it will mean riders are able to ride similar machinery and fans should be treated to a larger variety of race winners, on top of closer battles at the front.

Front and rear suspensions and approved engine parts

“Price caps and approval process have been applied to several key frame, suspension and engine parts. These are called approved parts. This process ensures access and availability to all parts for all teams along with controlled pricing.”

How can teams benefit from approved parts?

Making the championship more affordable for all, and especially smaller teams, approved parts will be extended into the 2018 season and will see price caps come into play on several important frame, suspension and engine parts. Aiming to bring machinery up to a similar level of that of the factory teams by making the parts readily available to smaller teams, it will once again mean the riders can use their talents to shine through.

Make sure you follow the 2018 WorldSBK season and see for yourself how the new regulations affect the world's fastest production-based motorcycle series all with the WorldSBK VideoPass.