MotoAmerica is doing away with the Superpole qualifying session for the Superbike class in 2021.
In recent seasons, the top nine Superbike riders, based on their times from Qualifying Practices One and Two, used a 15-minute Superpole session to determine who would line up where on the front three rows of the grid.
Now, grid spots for Superbike Race One will be determined by lap times recorded by riders in any Qualifying Practice session. Dunlop’s super-sticky rear qualifying tires will still be available for use but only during a session designated on the official tire allotment document for each event.
Also new for 2021, the grid spots for Superbike Race Two will be determined by the finishing order of Race One, but in the event of a crash, mechanical issue, or other problem, no rider can drop more than eight grid positions for Race Two.
One other significant change in the 2021 rules is an increased minimum weight limit in Supersport for 2013-2021 Kawasaki ZX-6R motorcycles, which have 636cc engines as opposed to the 599cc engines in most of the other machines in the class. In 2021, Kawasakis must weigh no less than 165 kg (363.0 pounds), which is 4.0 kg (8.8 pounds) more than the minimum weight limit for 599cc machines, 161 kg (354.2 pounds).
Also included in the 2021 MotoAmerica rulebook are proposed future technical rule changes for the Superbike class. MotoAmerica, following the lead of the FIM Superbike World Championship, is considering putting restrictions and price caps on forks, shocks, swingarms, and braking components beginning in 2023 in an apparent move to save costs.