Source: Supplied.

Major changes are set to take place in the FIM Supersport 300 World Championship (WorldSSP300) next year after the WorldSBK announced a major expansion for the class.

Seeing the feeder class grow year on year, the new changes will welcome even more opportunities to shine for up and coming riders, as they make their debuts in the WorldSBK paddock.

With the WorldSSP300 entry list increasing for 2019, participants will be separated into two groups of riders for both free practice and qualifying. At the end of Qualifying, the top 30 on the combined timesheets will make up Sunday’s grid.

For all riders who qualify outside of the top 30, they will be granted one final opportunity to line up on the grid. Saturday afternoon will welcome a last chance race, and the top six over the line will compete in Sunday’s main race.

These changes will provide even closer racing than before, with only the fastest and toughest riders battling their way through the entire weekend. Offering an even greater opportunity to young riders, there will be even more chance to gain experience out on track.

On top of the changes, 2019 will see WorldSSP300 fly out to Qatar to compete around the Losail International Circuit in the final round of the season. Adding a third category to the Qatar Round, WorldSSP300 will make their international debut and will truly light up the end of the season.

In 2018, youthful Australian talent Tom Edwards contested the category with Nutec Benjan Kawasaki, finishing the year in 21st position while earning a career-best result of sixth at Portimao, the same round he earned his maiden pole position in the world championship.