Copyright Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

By Glenn Le Santo

I haven’t spoken to a single person in the Superbike World Championship paddock who knows why the hell SBK/FIM want treaded tires on Superbikes. Even the tire guys, and I spoke to representatives from Pirelli and Michelin, can’t understand it and don’t really think it will
benefit their marketing. Team managers think it will make it hard to employ top riders, as they won’t want to ride Superbikes on treaded tires.

Highlights of the new rules follow (words in brackets are mine), with the text altered slightly from original poor English translation from Italian; Italian seems to be the official World Superbike language now, and all the awards ceremonies were conducted in Italian on Sunday night at Imola, much to the disgust of 75% of the international press representatives on hand.

1. Engines up to 1000cc, regardless of cylinders

2. Install (inlet duct) restrictors. Engine will stop if restrictors are closed(?) Details to follow (Say the FIM)
Restrictor sizes:
2cyl Dia. 30mm by 1 (duct)
Dia. 21.5mm by 2
4cyl Dia. 26.3mm by 1
Dia. 18.7 by 2
3,5 and more cyl, diameters to be decided and announced shortly.
MSMA to review restrictor size and decide by end of year.

3. Changes to fairing in vicinity of air inlets permitted only if unavoidable due to fitting of air inlet restrictors.

4. Treaded tires, tread must be visable at end of race within prescribed minimum area, position, depth, width and pattern. Tire manufacturers will draft regs. Only 15 sets of tires can be used in one event, except for rain. Officials to check the bar-codes on tires when exiting pit lane.

5. Minimum weight: 158kg for 1-3 cyls, 168kg for 4-5 cyls and 178kg for 6 or more cyls. Extra weights can be added (to reach minimum)

6. Other rules to remain unchanged from current rules.

Effective 2004.

Francesco Zerbi, FIM President says: “I am satisfied with the agreement reached as it enures a great development for the entire world of motorcycle racing.”

Maurizio Flammini, Octagon Motorsports Chairman:
“This agreement forms the basis for a great period of competitions development with Superbike machines, both at world level and at national and
continental level. It..guarantees its continuity and growth in the long term.”