Following the 2005 FIM Biennial Session last month, an important change to the regulations for the 2006 FIM World Endurance Championship has been announced. Article 1.7.2 “Lighting and Signalling” now only applies to races taking place partly at night, and the minimum weights for Superbike and SuperProduction machines have been adjusted. The “Lighting and Signalling” regulation previously required all machines used in the FIM World Endurance Championship to carry front and rear lights and a generator to power them at all races. This is no longer necessary for races held entirely in daylight. Because of this, the minimum machine weights have also been adjusted. Superbike class machines must weigh at least 165kg for races not taking place partly at night and 170kg for races taking place partly at night. SuperProduction machines must conform to their homologated dry weight minus 15kg for races not taking place partly at night and homologated dry weight minus 11kg for races taking place partly at night. The effect of this is that special “endurance” lighting is no longer required for motorcycles competing at the Assen 500km race or the Zolder 1000km race. This opens up the field at these two races for wildcard Superbike, SuperProduction and Superstock entries from local teams. Lighting systems are still required (FIM Article 2.3.11) for the Le Mans, Oschersleben and Bol d’Or 24 hour races, and for the Albacete 8 hour and Suzuka 8 hour races, both of which finish after sunset.