New minimum weights announced for Superbikes.

Following a meeting held at Imola on September 29, the Superbike Commission, composed of Messrs. Claude Danis (FIM), Paolo Alberto Flammini (SBK International), Takanao Tsubouchi (MSMA) and Giulio Bardi (Team representative), made the following changes to Art. 2.4.2 of the Road Racing World Championship Superbike, Supersport & Sidecar Regulations.

The changes relate to the minimum weight required for bikes, depending their engine configuration (2, 3 or 4 cylinder). This year the 1000cc two cylinder machines of Ducati, Honda and Aprilia have dominated the series, with only one win being taken by a 750cc four cylinder machine, by Chili at Donington Park.

Both Kawasaki and Suzuki have expressed concerned about the engine disadvantage, and had hoped that they would be allowed to increase capacity to around 820cc's for 2002. This however has not been agreed and instead they will be allowed to run with lighter machines in an attempt to even up the competition.

The WSB organisers will hope such moves will help keep the marques in WSB in the face of four stroke competition from MotoGP from next year onwards, but with Kawasaki announcing they will switch to GP's in 2003 and Suzuki's participation looking ever more unlikely, it remains to be seen what effect these changes will have.

Minimum weights for the World Superbike Championship:750cc 4 cylinders: 159 kg900cc 3 cylinders: 162 kg1000cc 2 cylinders: 164 kg