After long discussions and several postponements – everyone was expecting that the 2014 rules for World Superbikes to be confirmed during the Russian round – the FIM has finally, if partially announced what the new rules will be for the championship.
As expected there will be an engine limit, 8 engines per rider/per season, which will be more or less one engine every two rounds, but considering the number of problems and crashes that occur over the long season (BMW Goldbet apparently lost three engines just during the Silverstone round) we may end up seeing a number of riders starting from the pit lane for exceeding the number of engines.
To fill the dwindling grid, the manufacturers have agreed on supplying complete motorcycle packages, bike and spares, we presume, along with a few development updates at a fixed price for the next three seasons, but the for the moment what that price is still a mystery, even if €250,000 – €300,000 was previously bandied around.
Also to fill the grid the EVO class has been confirmed, and will subject to the same rules of the World Superbikes with price caps on suspension and brake components, but subject to Superstock rules on engines and electronics.
FIM press release after the jump.
FIM Superbike World Championship 2014 RulesFollowing various meetings between the FIM, Dorna and the MSMA, a new framework has been put in place for the progressive application of the new Superbike rules.
The new rules are aimed at reducing costs for the motorcycle and its components.
1.
The rules changes for the 2014 FIM Superbike World Championship season will be as follows:• A limited number of engines (eight) per rider/per season.
• A limited number of gear ratios.
• A price cap on the brakes.
• A price cap on the suspensions.
2.
In order to ensure that there are a sufficient number of riders with competitive motorcycles on the grid, the MSMA has agreed to provide, on request, a complete motorcycle package at a fixed prize, for the years 2014, 2015 and 2016.
The motorcycle packages supplied will be the same as those used by the manufacturer and will receive certain updates and maintenance from the manufacturers during the season.
3.
Under the new rules, there will be a sub-category known as the EVO class.
This class will follow the FIM Superbike technical regulations for all chassis, suspension and brake components.
On the engine and electronics side, however, these motorcycles will follow the present FIM Superstock rules.
The price cap on brakes and suspensions will be the same as Superbike.
More details about the EVO technical rules will be available on the FIM Website shortly.
A draft of the new technical rules will be published on the FIM website by 26 August.