News 2 Jul 2013

World Superbike to adopt successful BSB 'Evo' model for 2014

Dorna aims to reduce costs and boost grid sizes with introduction of new combined class.

The introduction of an 'Evo' class should bolster World Superbike grids.

The introduction of an ‘Evo’ class should bolster World Superbike grids.

The World Superbike Championship (WSBK) will adopt the successful British Superbike Championship ‘Evo’ model to replenish grids and cut costs from the 2014 season onwards.

The changes would allow for lesser-modified motorcycles to race alongside full-spec Superbikes in order to contain costs and bolster dwindling grid numbers.

Dorna chief executive Carmelo Ezepeleta met with manufacturers at Imola in Italy on the weekend where the proposal was put forth with positive response.

“We are of the opinion that it serves Superbikes to be closer to mass production, so we decided to introduce from 2014 a new category that will be called Evo,” said Ezpeleta.

“It will be a stock motorcycle that is closely derived from the series, but with many details like suspension, brakes and tyres identical to the Superbike now. So the performance will be very similar.

“The private teams can spend very little and gamble be on a par, or nearly so, with the top teams that will continue to run the current bikes, that, in our opinion, are too expensive and sophisticated.”

The changes follow suit with MotoGP’s creation of the Claiming Rules Team (CRT) regulations in MotoGP, which have seen production-powered machines race competitively against the prototypes.

According Italian media outlet GPOne, the maximum price of a motorcycle would not exceed 300,000 Euros, a cost cap to be further reduced by 2016. The number of engines would also be limited.

The details of the Evo class are expected to be finalised at the Moscow WSBK round on 19 – 21 July.

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