New regs added for WSBK & WSS 2007

[FourWheelDrift]

news said:

The Superbike Commission has unanimously decided to introduce the following modifications to the Road Racing Superbike & Supersport World Championship, for application from 1/1/2007:

TECHNICAL REGULATIONS

2.3.11 Ballast (new article)

The use of ballast is allowed to stay over the minimum weight limit. The use of ballast must be declared to the Technical Director at the preliminary checks.
The ballast must be made from solid metallic piece/s, firmly, securely connected, either through an adapter or directly to the main frame or engine, with minimum 2 steel bolts (min. 8 mm diameter, 8.8 grade or over).
Fuel in the fuel tank can be used as ballast.


Superbike

2.4.6.1 Frame Body and Rear Sub-frame (to add the following)
The homologated dimensions and position of bearing seats in the steering head column, and the engine, swing arm, rear shock, and suspension linkage mounting points must remain as original.
Steering angle changes are permitted by fitting inserts onto the bearing seats in the original steering head, but no part of the insert shall protrude axially more than 3 mm. from the original steering head.

2.4.6.7 Tyres (to add as 10th paragraph)
One extra front tyre will be given to all Superpole participants.

2.4.6.11 Fuel Tank (new wording 8th sentence)
The fuel tank must be fixed to the frame from the front and the rear with a crash-proof assembly system. Bajonet style couplings cannot be used, nor may the tank be fixed to any parts of the streamlining (fairing) or any plastic part.

2.4.6.19 Cylinder head (to add the following)
Rocker arms (if any) must remain as homologated (material and dimensions).

2.4.6.29 Crankcase/Gearbox housing and lateral covers (new wording 2nd paragraph)
Oil-pan (sump) may be altered or replaced.
Lateral (side) covers may be altered, modified or replaced. If replaced, the cover must be made in material of same or higher specific weight and the total weight of the cover must not be less than the original one.
All engine cases containing oil and which could be in contact with the ground during a crash, must be protected by a second cover made from composite materials, type carbon or Kevlar.

Supersport.

2.5.2 Minimum Weights
The minimum weights will be: 600cc four cylinders 158 kg (previously 162 kg)
750cc two cylinders 166 kg (previously 170 kg)

2.5.6.2 Front fork (to add the following)
Dust seal can be modified, changed or removed if the fork is totally oil-sealed.

2.5.6.20 Cylinder head (to add the following)
Rocker arms (if any) must remain as homologated (material and dimensions).

2.5.6.30 Crankcases and all other engine cases (to delete 3rd paragraph and add)
All engine cases containing oil and which could be in contact with the ground during a crash must be protected by a second cover made of composite material, type carbon or Kevlar.

2.5.6.31 Transmission/Gearbox (change 4th sentence)
Quick-shift systems are allowed.

2.5.6.35 Exhaust (First paragraph)
Exhaust pipes and silencers may be modified or changed. Catalytic converters must be removed.

Edited by FourWheelDrift on Friday 10th November 15:18

[Exige46]

It doesn't say 'success ballast', just that you are allowed to use ballast to ensure that the bike is not less then the minimum weight.

I would be extremely disappointed to see success ballast in any world championship.

[FourWheelDrift]

You're right I miss-read that part and changed the title, although the other changes are interesting to note.

[Andrew D]

Yeah, "Success Ballast" is possibly the flight of fancy that I loath the most in the whole of world motorsport. It just makes a mockery of the competition, you might as well say "We'll slash the tyres of one vehicle on the grid at random, just for larks"; it makes as much sense.

So no 1.2 litres for Ducati then? Pitty, I would have liked to have seen a new Honda VTR.

[catso]

Andrew D said:

So no 1.2 litres for Ducati then? Pitty, I would have liked to have seen a new Honda VTR.

As I understand it Ducati released the new bike too late to homologate for WSBK, so will need to run the 999 again next year......