Lavilla: "The best rider is still going to win"
WorldSBK Sporting Director explains 2018 regulation updates
Following the announcement of the updates to the regulations for the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship for 2018, which will see the introduction of concession points, rev limits and approved parts, WorldSBK.com caught up with Gregorio Lavilla to explain the decisions made.
Beginning by explaining the reasoning behind the decisions, Lavilla explains: “We’ve been working all the season to understand the situation and what we need to change. The common goal we hope to reach is one to control the cost; it should be a more accessible championship and there should be more parity between the brands and teams. As well as this is should reflect the machines the manufactures are selling – which I think is the greatest step needed.”
Regarding their expectations for 2018, Lavilla added: “We don’t expect anything different in terms rider talent, as the best rider is still going to win. But to give the opportunity for the non-factory supported teams to have better changes, I think this will increase the show and we are looking forward to this.”
Regarding the concession points, he continues: “When you have freedom in terms of development, the teams or manufacturers who have more resources are able to use them which means the gap was getting bigger and bigger. You get certain points depending on your position, and that’s what we call concession points which will change the way machines are modified by certain manufacturers.”
Moving onto the rev limits we will see for 2018, Lavilla adds: “In the same talks with the manufacturers, one of the things that can increase the cost for them is to tune an engine with no limit, and the teams and manufactures with more investment are able to exploit that, and some others are not. We found a way to have a starting point on rev limits, one that we have the ability to adjust. For example if we don’t make the correct calculations, if someone arrives with a new manufacturer and it's underperforming as the basic starting point was wrong, so it’s good to have the opportunity to change it.”
Rounding out the interview, Lavilla adds some final important points to note: “Many of the things that we have implemented already exist in other championships. But still, the best rider, the best team and the best manufacturer are going to win.”
