Ducati get their way

New Superbike Rules Adopted For '08


This just in from the FIM:

Superbike World Championship

Changes to the Technical Rules for 2008 - Twin cylinders to 1200cc

After consultation with all the parties involved and upon the proposal
submitted by the Superbike Commission, the FIM has decided the following
amendment and additions to the Superbike World Championship technical
rules for 2008.

Displacement capacities.

o 2 cylinders over 850cc up to 1200cc

o 3 cylinders over 750cc up to 1000cc

o 4 cylinders over 750cc up to 1000cc

· Minimum weights.

o 2 cylinders over 850cc up to 1200cc: 168kg

o 4 cylinders over 750cc up to 1000cc: 162kg

Minimum weight of 2 cylinders over 850cc up to 1200cc will be updated,
if needed, during the Championship in steps of ±3kg to 171kg as a
maximum and 162kg as a minimum.

· Air-restrictors.

Only 2 cylinders over 850cc up to 1200cc will be fitted with
air-restrictors. Initial size will be equivalent to a Ø50mm circular
area. Air-restrictors size will be updated, if needed, during the
Championship in steps of ±2mm of diameter in a range from equivalent to
a Ø46mm circular area to no air-restrictor at all.

· Balance of different motorcycle concepts.

Weight limit and then air-restrictors size of 2 cylinders over 850cc up
to 1200cc machines will be updated, if needed, during the Championship,
by a system analysing the race points obtained.

· Tuning level.

All machines will have the same level of tuning presently applied to 4
cylinders over 750cc up to 1000cc, with the exception of connecting rods
that must be standard for 2 cylinders over 850cc up to 1200cc.

· Homologation numbers.

For 2008 and 2009 all manufacturers, irrespective of their total
production numbers, will have to produce a minimum of 1000 bikes in
order to get an homologation.

For 2010 onwards the minimum production number will be increased to 3000
bikes.

The complete set of the new 2008 Superbike technical rules will be
issued by FIM during next week.

So for the right to run larger capacity, they get:

-heavier bikes (168kg 2cyl vs 162kg 3&4 cyl) (to be adjusted during the
series if needed)
-air restrictors when the 4 cyl bikes don't have to run them (size to be
adjusted during the series if needed)
-no higher standard of tune than the 4 cyl bikes except the 4cyl bikes are
allowed special conrods, 2cyl to run standard parts

Could there be a chance that it wont be Formula Ducati again, they've had to
accept a few handicaps for the right to go bigger, when the twins had a
capacity advantage before (1000 vs 750-4s) thya also had a weight advantage,
but not this time.

Al