From a press release issued by Octagon Motorsports, organizers of the FIM Endurance World Championship Series:

Important Rule Changes for Endurance in 2003

Qualifying Positions Simplified

Ahead of the announcement of the World Endurance Championship Permanent Team entries for 2003 (many interesting additions to the list are expected) some important rule changes have been confirmed.

Qualifying Positions Simplified

The most significant of these alters the way that the starting grid positions are worked out. For 2003, qualification positions will be based on the best time put in by the fastest rider of a team. This is a real improvement over the complicated system used previously which averaged the times of all of each team’s riders. With endurance qualifying often spread over a four hour period weather or track conditions could change significantly from the first rider group to the last. The new system will also make the calculation of starting position a much simpler and quicker proposition.

Refuelling and Pit Stops

Under the new regulations, refuelling of the bike must now take place after all other work has been done on the bike, but before it is restarted. If serious repairs are needed, the bike can be moved into the pit garage, but only four people may work on it.

Riding Time and Racing Classes

The maximum length of time a rider can stay on the bike without a rest period is 3 hours. The rest between riding sessions must be at least half the length of time last spent on the bike for races of less than 12 hours, and two thirds of the riding time for shorter races. The classes of bike eligible to race in the championship were brought into line with the World Superbike championship, with four cylinder bikes of up to 1 litre capacity allowed into the WSB class if fitted with air restrictors.

The confirmed calendar of the 2003 World Endurance Championship is as follows:

May 4 San Marino Imola 200 Miles

May 25 Holland Assen 200 Miles

June 15 Czech Republic Brno 6 Hours

June 28-29 Spain Albacete 12 Hours

July 20 Austria A1-Ring 6 Hours

August 3 Japan Suzuka 8 Hours

August 24 Germany Oschersleben 24 Hours

October 5 Italy Vallelunga 200 Miles