2023 in the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship was incredible and 2024 is set to take that up another level as the excitement continues to build for a new era. Massive line-up switches and big new rule amendments mean everything has changed as riders try to beat Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) after he claimed last year’s title. Here, we’ve collated the big stories heading into the Grand Ridge Brewery Australian Round to ensure you’re on top of everything before the season starts.

A NEW ERA BEGINS: a massive grid shake-up and high-profile rookies…

The biggest stories coming into 2024 are some of the rider moves that occurred throughout last season. All triggered by Toprak Razgatlioglu’s move to the ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team, it was closely followed by Jonathan Rea opting to leave Kawasaki for the Pata Prometeon Yamaha squad. With that transfer, a vacancy opened up at the Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK with Axel Bassani drafted in to fulfil his dream of becoming a factory rider.

Five rookies are set to take WorldSBK by storm, with MotoGP™ race winner Andrea Iannone already rapid throughout his test days so far this season. What will he be able to achieve in his debut season? Elsewhere, Sam Lowes and ELF Marc VDS Racing Team have continued their relationship from Moto2™ but with a new challenge as the Brit returns to the WorldSBK paddock. Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) won the WorldSSP title in style last season and is rewarded with a move straight into the factory Ducati team, while the PETRONAS MIE Racing Honda outfit will run Tarran Mackenzie and Adam Norrodin. Read more about all five rookies here.

BIG RULE CHANGES: weight additions, superconcession changes and more

Announced towards the end of 2023 to come into effect for 2024, there have been some changes to the WorldSBK technical rules. A new weight limit – where riders have to add half the difference if they are under a reference weight – is one of the biggest changes. Concession and superconcession rules have had some revisions too, with the concession checkpoint now every two rounds rather than three and manufacturers earning concession points in the Tissot Superpole Race (previously, it was just Race 1 and Race 2). There’s also a reduction in fuel tank capacity to 21 litres. Check out full details of the new rules HERE, plus read WorldSBK Executive Director Gregorio Lavilla explaining the changes when they were announced last year.

2024 SEASON PREVIEW: your FREE guide to the unmissable season

With everything that has changed this year, it’s imperative to watch the season preview show before racing gets underway. Interviews with key figures, including all the riders, make it a must-see while the five factory team managers also give their thoughts on the upcoming campaign. The riders also do their best to name just one rival for 2024, although some end up saying multiple names, plus you can hear from Lavilla about the new season.

TO KNOW FOR THE TEST: essential links and details

Before racing starts next week, the Official Test takes place on Monday (for WorldSSP) and Tuesday (for WorldSBK) – check out the full schedule here. The Official Programme for Australia is available here detailing entry lists, schedules and some exciting articles about figures past and present from within WorldSBK. If you want to relive the 2023 season just before 2024 starts, watch last season’s review show for FREE on YouTube, while there are also some amazing documentaries to watch. ‘Unrepeatable’ – detailing Jonathan Rea’s incredible nine seasons with KRT – is on YouTube, while ‘ONE’ follows Alvaro Bautista’s 2023 campaign as he became a back-to-back Champion.

A NEW ERA BEGINS: don’t miss a single moment from 2024 using the WorldSBK VideoPass!

Source: WorldSBK.com

The 2024 MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship really kicked off with a series of surprising moves, which were all triggered by Toprak Razgatlioglu’s decision to leave Yamaha for the ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team. Opting to leave the team he won the 2021 title with was a surprise as was joining a manufacturer who showed potential but inconsistently, although the final third of the 2023 showed promise heading into this season.

RAZGATLIOGLU’S PRE-BMW STORY: STK600 Champion, Kawasaki wins and Yamaha history maker

The Turkish star made his debut within the WorldSBK paddock with a one-off appearance in 2014 in STK600, before returning for a full campaign in 2015 and claiming the title. Fifth in STK1000 a year later provided the foundation for a title challenge in 2016, finishing eight points behind Michael Ruben Rinaldi (Team Motocorsa Racing). He secured a WorldSBK debut in 2018 and took two podiums, before a first win came in 2019 with the Kawasaki Puccetti Racing outfit. A switch to the factory Yamaha team for 2020 secured fourth in the standings, starting and ending his season with wins, before beating then Kawasaki rider Jonathan Rea to the title in 2021. Race wins and podiums continued throughout 2022 and 2023 but he was unable to beat Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) to the title in either year.

ADAPTING TO THE M 1000 RR: Razgatlioglu’s testing programme

27-year-old Razgatlioglu got his first taste on the M 1000 RR in early December when at the Autodromo Internacional do Algarve, although rain disrupted this plan. A trip to Jerez overnight for two more days of testing was again disrupted by the weather, before BMW opted for a late change of plans and travelled from Jerez to Valencia. A bit of a break followed before the paddock headed to Jerez and Portimao together the final European tests before the start of the season in Australia.

POSITIVE VIBES: Razgatlioglu rapid in testing

The only two tests Razgatlioglu was with his rivals were in January 2024 at Jerez and Portimao, but there were good signs from those tests when alongside his competitors. At the Spanish venue, Razgatlioglu was fourth on Day 2 before he topped the times at Portimao ahead of Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati), potentially setting up a brand new rivalry between the pair heading into 2024. All signs point to BMW benefitting from Razgatlioglu’s arrival, with the three other BMW riders – teammate Michael van der Mark and Bonovo Action BMW’s Garrett Gerloff and Scott Redding – also fast in testing.

RAZGATLIOGLU’S THOUGHTS: “my first goal is to get the first win with BMW”

Discussing how he thought his 2024 campaign would play out, Razgatlioglu said: “The feeling with the project is very good. Testing is very positive. We are not 100% ready but every day we are getting closer. In general, the bike isn’t bad. Every day, we are improving, and this is important. I’m very excited for the first race. It’s not easy to say whether can fight for the title in 2024. If we improve the bike, we will fight for the Championship. My first goal is to get the first win with BMW. We’re not so far away, I feel. I just need more time to understand and improve the bike, especially the setup. I hope we improve it and find the setup before racing.”

WHAT DO BMW THINK? “the target is at least a win…”

Speaking on Day 2 of the Portimao test, BMW Motorrad Motorsport Director Marc Bongers the goals for 2024. He said: “Australia and Barcelona, in terms of results and grip and track position, are a bit of the odd ones out. Since we could carry the setup from Jerez to Portimao and it immediately worked, so we are convinced we have a good base package. I go to Australia with a lot of optimism. For sure, we need to get back to the podium. We have several in 2022 and had a hard year in 2023. The target is at least a win, but I would imagine we would see several podiums.”

A NEW ERA BEGINS: follow Razgatlioglu’s first BMW season in style using the WorldSBK VideoPass!

Source: WorldSBK.com

The 2024 MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship will get underway next week at the Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit but, before that, there are two more test days for the WorldSBK and WorldSSP competitors. The Official Test is broken down into two sessions per day with one class taking to the track each day. Monday is dedicated to the WorldSSP field, with Free Practice 1 at 09:10 Local Time (UTC+11) and Free Practice 2 at 13:40 – FP1 ends at 13:10 for a 30-minute break. On Tuesday, it’s the turn of the WorldSBK field. Free Practice 1 begins at 09:10 again and the day follows the same structure, with Free Practice 2 getting underway at 13:40.

A NEW ERA BEGINS: watch every moment from the 2024 season using the WorldSBK VideoPass!

Monday, February 19^th (Local Time, UTC+11)

09:10-13:10 – WorldSSP Free Practice 1

13:40-17:40 – WorldSSP Free Practice 2

Tuesday, February 20^th

09:10-13:10 – WorldSBK Free Practice 1

13:40-17:40 – WorldSBK Free Practice 2

Source: WorldSBK.com

As the 2024 MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship edges closer, and we’re now just days away from lights out in Australia, there’s two more test days to put in the history books. The Official Test takes place at the legendary Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit in Australia on the Monday for WorldSSP riders and Tuesday for the WorldSBK competitors prior to the round, with the entire WorldSBK field and all WorldSSP riders competing in the full season getting a chance to refine their packages for Australia.

THE ENTIRE FIELD PRESENT: 23 WorldSBK riders ready for Tuesday’s test

The Official Test will be the last chance for the 23-strong WorldSBK field to refine their machines for the Grand Ridge Brewery Australian Round just a few days later. It’ll be the first time Jonathan Rea (Pata Prometeon Yamaha) rides his YZF-R1 machine in Australia, as it will be for Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) on his M 1000 RR and Axel Bassani (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) on the ZX-10RR. While Team HRC have kept the same line-up for 2024, with Iker Lecuona and Xavi Vierge staying, they have a new bike for this year. The last tests proved tricky so they will be hoping to make a step forward at Phillip Island. Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) will try his Panigale V4 R at the iconic circuit for the first time as he prepares for his maiden WorldSBK campaign.

Rookies Tarran Mackenzie and Adam Norrodin (both PETRONAS MIE Racing Honda) will be hoping to have the full 2024 Honda package for their second WorldSBK test of 2024, while other rookies – Andrea Iannone (Team GoEleven) and Sam Lowes (ELF Marc VDS Racing Team) – will continue their adjustment to WorldSBK. For Dominique Aegerter (GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team), it will be his first test day of 2024 after missing the Jerez and Portimao tests through illness.

WHAT TO WATCH OUT FOR: preparing for 2024

One topic coming into the Official Test is the fact Phillip Island has been resurfaced, with the test the first time the WorldSBK field will try it ahead of racing. Of course, there are other things that will be spotted too. Teams may be trying different items on their machines to extract the maximum performance and secure the best possible results to kickstart their 2024 campaign in style. For some, it’ll be a test to continue adapting to their machines while, for others, it will be making sure everything is set up for the Australian Round.

WORLD SUPERSPORT ON TRACK: 27 riders testing on Monday

In WorldSSP, everyone who is taking part in the full season – and not the WorldSSP Challenge – will be on track at the test. It’ll be the first chance to see how rivals stack up against each other as well as some new and returning faces. After fighting for the title last year, Stefano Manzi (Pata Yamaha Ten Kate Racing) has a new teammate as Glenn van Straalen joins the Dutch team as they look to win the title. At the Aruba.it Racing WorldSSP Team, Adrian Huertas fills the void left by Nicolo Bulega. Lucas Mahias (GMT94 Yamaha) makes a full-time return to the Championship, as does Hikari Okubo (Vince64 Racing Team by Puccetti). Can Oncu (Kawasaki Puccetti Racing) is back after winter surgery as he looks to get back to his best, while there are other big changes on the grid.

Class veteran Federico Caricasulo has a new home, linking up with Motozoo ME AIR Racing after their switch to the MV Agusta F3 800 RR from Kawasaki machinery. Niki Tuuli joins the EAB Racing Team which will run the Ducati Panigale V2 this season, after a change from the Yamaha R6. Tom Booth-Amos will race in the full season with PTR Triumph, alongside Ondrej Vostatek while 2022 title contender Lorenzo Baldassarri is back as he joins the Orelac Racing VerdNatura squad after one season in WorldSBK. John McPhee and Jorge Navarro lead the new WRP-RT Motorsport by SKM-Triumph project and there are two rookies at the PETRONAS MIE Racing Honda team: Kaito Toba and Khairul Idham Bin Pawi, who get their first action alongside rivals in Australia. Wildcard Tom Toparis (Stop & Seal Racing) will also take part in the test; the Australian Round will be his first race in the WorldSBK paddock since 2019.

A NEW ERA BEGINS: follow the 2024 season in style using the WorldSBK VideoPass!

Source: WorldSBK.com

The 2024 MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship season is just a few days away from starting with the roar of the engines at the Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit. It should be an unforgettable season with massive transfers, big rule changes and high-profile rookies set to take the Championship by storm. Now, the list of FIM homologated motorcycles for 2024 has been revealed. In WorldSBK, the only change is the new Honda CBR1000RR-R Fireblade (in standard (ST) and SP versions) has been homologated with that process completed in January. No other manufacturers have had a change to their homologations.

Elsewhere in the paddock, the Honda CBR600RR with model codes PC40 (for Asian market) and PC69 (for European market) was homologated in January 2024, while the MV Agusta F3 800 RR M.U. and the F3 Superveloce M.U. were both homologated in December last year. The Triumph Street Triple 765 RS, under model code HJ8, received homologation in January (previously, it was model code HJ7). Yamaha’s YZF-R7 machine has also been homologated for SSP 600/NG (Phase 1 only) in order for the FIM to support its National Federations welcoming this new machine in their national series. In WorldSSP300, the Kawasaki Ninja 400’s homologation extension is pending Phase 1 completion, and the Kove 321 RR-S (model code P310) is awaiting both Phase 1 and Phase 2 homologation. Yamaha’s YZF-R3 machine received homologation in October 2023, with model code YZF-R3 320 now homologated; last year, it was model code YZF-R3/ABS.

Get a full list of the homologated motorcycles for 2024 here.

A NEW ERA BEGINS: follow every moment from Australia LIVE and UNINTERRUPTED using the WorldSBK VideoPass!

Source: WorldSBK.com

No number carries as much weight in racing as the number one. It can be both a source of pride and a source of pressure, feelings which are amplified for first-time carriers. What goes through the mind of a rider who is, unequivocally, the one to beat?

“ONE: Into the mind of a racer” follows Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) through his first season as the reigning MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship and opting to switch his usual #19 for that coveted number. Produced by Spectra Films in collaboration with Dorna WSBK Organization, filmmaker Paolo Novelli shows an unseen side of the Spanish rider’s 2023 season, recorded at multiple WorldSBK rounds as well as at several other locations, including his own home in Talavera de la Reina.

Featuring mostly never-seen-before footage and an exclusive interview with Bautista himself, “ONE” takes us through the highs and lows of a memorable campaign: the record-breaking start, the mistakes, the late doubts… We get an in-depth dive into several key moments of the 2023 season, from emotionally difficult races in Most and Aragon to a title-defining win in Portimao and Championship celebrations in front of his home crowd of Jerez.

Bautista also shows a personal side beyond WorldSBK weekends, with exclusive footage of the Ducati rider’s family life back home in Spain, as well as his strict training regime between rounds. The documentary presents us his life as a rider, but also as a father, husband, and son.

Novelli had previously directed, amongst other projects, “Andrea Dovizioso: Undaunted”, a much-lauded documentary following the Italian rider’s pursuit of the 2019 MotoGP™ title.

Watch “ONE: Into the mind of a racer” NOW on WorldSBK VideoPass and get ready for the 2024 WorldSBK season!

Source: WorldSBK.com

The 2024 MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship will be one to remember for lots of reasons, and one is Jonathan Rea (Pata Prometeon Yamaha) making his debut for Yamaha this year. After nine seasons of success with Kawasaki that couldn’t be matched by anyone, the Ulsterman opted for a new challenge when a vacant seat opened up at Yamaha this year. He’s looked comfortable on the YZF-R1 so far as he looks to bounce back into P1 and continue writing his WorldSBK legacy.

THE PRE-YAMAHA STORY: bursting onto the scene with Honda, unprecedented results with Kawasaki

Rea made his debut back in 2008 at Portimao and was instantly showing what he could do, securing a front row start alongside polesitter Troy Bayliss, 2009 WorldSSP Champion Cal Crutchlow, and two-time WorldSBK Champion Max Biaggi. P4 in Race 1 showed his talent, and from there he never looked back. 15 wins with Honda came before a switch to Kawasaki unleashed his talent. Six consecutive titles between 2015 and 2020, more than 100 wins and unrivalled levels of success led to one of the most successful partnerships not just in WorldSBK, but in motorsport as a whole. However, all good things come to an end and, after two tricky seasons in 2022 and 2023, Rea opted for a move to Yamaha for a new challenge in 2024.

THE BLUE CHAPTER: first time riding the YZF-R1

Rea made his Yamaha testing debut at Jerez right after the season ended and quickly adapted, setting rapid times as he found his feet. Another test before 2023 concluded continued this, and then there were two more tests at Jerez and Portimao in 2024. Plenty of time to adapt, and test new items, means the 37-year-old is in good stead for Australia as he looks to repeat what he did with Kawasaki back in 2015 and win on his debut with his new manufacturer. At EICMA, he also spoke about how his first bike was a Yamaha with the PW50, the family ties he has to Yamaha and much more.

WHAT RECORDS COULD HE BREAK? There’s more history for Rea to write…

It’s possible to think someone with the most WorldSBK starts, wins, titles and fastest laps has broken every record there is to break already, but actually there are a few his switch to Yamaha could bring him into contention for. Victory for Yamaha would make him the first rider to win with three different Japanese manufacturers after Honda and Kawasaki, while he’d join an exclusive club of riders who’ve won with three manufacturers. Stephane Mertens, Eugene Laverty, Anthony Gobert, Chaz Davies, Troy Corser and Marco Melandri are the only riders who have managed this feat. A win with Yamaha in Race 1 at Phillip Island would mean he’s won two debut races with different manufacturers, after taking victory in the same race in 2015 with Kawasaki. Of course, there’s also the seventh title aspect should he win the Championship this season, cementing his status as the greatest of all time in WorldSBK.

REA’S THOUGHTS ON YAMAHA SWITCH: “I’m enjoying it and I think the bike suits my style”

Speaking about his first season with Yamaha, Rea said: “I’m really excited. It’s always nice when you change colours just to breathe some different air. It’s been really cool. I’m really grateful to Yamaha for giving me the opportunity and making me feel so welcome. I’m enjoying the bike. I’m really enjoying the engine character of the R1. Working with the crew, a completely new crew for me, aside from my chief mechanic Uri and I knew Davide from a few years back. The Yamaha’s a very user friendly bike, I’m enjoying it and I think it suits my style. It can be ridden in so many ways. You see how Toprak rode the bike was super aggressive, then you can see how guys like Remy and Locatelli rode the bike; more wheels in line but still super-fast.”

A NEW ERA BEGINS: follow Rea’s maiden Yamaha campaign in style using the WorldSBK VideoPass!

Source: WorldSBK.com

Rivalries are a huge part of the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship and that’s set to continue in 2024 with the start of some new battles. As rookies take to the track, line-ups change at a lot of the teams and established riders look for wins and podiums, we take a look at some of the new rivalries you could see in WorldSBK in 2024.

TOP IN TESTING: Bulega and Razgatlioglu to ignite?

Where better to start than the two riders who were quickest across the four 2024 test days? Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) was quickest on both days at Jerez and the opening Portimao day, while Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) ended the Portuguese test on top. When ‘Bulegas’ was quickest, ‘El Turco’ wasn’t far behind and vice versa. Could this be the newest fight at the front in WorldSBK?

DUCATI TEAMMATES: Bulega ahead of Bautista so far…

One key story to emerge from testing was Bulega being quicker than teammate Alvaro Bautista. While they had different testing programmes, and Bautista is still nursing a neck injury although getting back to full fitness, the gap between them was a lot bigger than expected. With another couple of weeks recovery, you’d expect Bautista to be fighting at the front again when racing resumes in Australia. However, the potential is there for Bulega’s impressive start to life as a factory Ducati rider to continue and cause the double Champion a headache…

NEW YAMAHA PAIRING: Rea and Locatelli fight for honours

Like with Bulega and Bautista, a new line-up at the Pata Prometeon Yamaha squad could provide another rivalry to look forward to. With Jonathan Rea moving across to join Andrea Locatelli at the factory Yamaha team, an interesting dynamic is set to play out. Six-time Champion Rea will be looking for an unprecedented seventh title, while ‘Loka’ is going in search of a first race win. There’s also been a change in crew chiefs, with Andrew Pitt moving to Rea’s side of the box and Tom O’Kane linking up with Locatelli.

PETRUCCI AND IANNONE: will the friendship turn into a rivalry?

Andrea Iannone (Team GoEleven) has been turning heads since he first jumped on the Panigale V4 R at Jerez last year, and that’s been continuing in 2024. Fast at the Spanish venue and Portimao shortly after, ‘The Maniac’ looks well and truly ready for competition. Danilo Petrucci (Barni Spark Racing Team) comes into 2024 on the back of a stunning rookie campaign where he scored podiums and will look for a first win. Is there a possibility Iannone beats him to that first WorldSBK victory, and could they battle hard but share the rostrum together?

A NEW BONOVO BMW LINE-UP: can Redding get the better of Gerloff?

American star Garrett Gerloff (Bonovo Action BMW) ended 2023 as the BMW rider to beat. Pole at Magny-Cours was the highlight but the #31 also battled for the podium in the final third of the season and narrowly missed out on a rostrum visit. For 2024, he has a new teammate as Scott Redding joins from the ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team. Seemingly enjoying his new environment throughout testing and quick as well, the Bonovo Action BMW rivalry seems set to heat up in 2024.

BRITISH CHAMPIONS ON THE WORLD STAGE: Ray and Mackenzie’s friendly rivalry

They’ve raced each other on the domestic scene but for 2024, Bradley Ray (Yamaha Motoxracing WorldSBK Team) and Tarran Mackenzie (PETRONAS MIE Racing Honda) are ready to battle it out on the world stage. Mackenzie is entering his first WorldSBK season while it’s Ray’s second, and both will be looking to get the better of each other. Perhaps nothing sums up their friendly rivalry more than ‘Taz’ suggesting Ray will be his rival in 2024 after he joked that he’s “not normal”, with Ray laughing when this was put to him and calling Mackenzie a “legend”. Joking around in testing suggests any on-track rivalry between these two will stay firmly on-track.

BASSANI VS RINALDI… 2.0? new look rivalry for Bassani and Rinaldi

After their rivalry ignited last year, there’s been a change for both Axel Bassani (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) and Michael Ruben Rinaldi (Team Motocorsa Racing). Bassani has moved on from Rinaldi’s current team to become a factory Kawasaki rider, while the #21 lost his seat at the factory Ducati team but remains with the manufacturer with the Independent outfit. It’s a new look for the two adversaries, but will their rivalry continue to explode in 2024?

SIBLING RIVALRY: Alex and Sam Lowes go for top dog in the family…

Sometimes, rivalries can be fierce and sometimes they can be friendly rivalries. It’s possible in the case of Alex and Sam Lowes (Elf Marc VDS Racing Team), it’ll be fierce and friendly. After all, everyone wants to beat their teammate, and everyone wants to come out on top against their siblings. They’ve raced together before but never in a World Championship, possibly taking their rivalry to a new level. Let’s just hope there’s no awkward family dinners after a round…

A NEW ERA BEGINS: don’t miss any moment from 2024 using the WorldSBK VideoPass!

Source: WorldSBK.com

The 2024 MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship is getting closer, but big rule changes for the upcoming year have already been announced. From riders needing to add ballast depending on their difference to the reference weight, fuel changes including the fuel needing to have more sustainable origins and differences to the concession system, there’s a lot to be excited for this season.

BALLAST TO BE ADDED: lighter riders to add weight

One of the bigger changes for 2024 is the introduction of new weight regulations, with riders needing to add ballast to their bikes depending on how much lighter than the reference weight they are. The reference weight has been set at 80kg, and riders under this will need to add 0.5kg for every 1kg lighter they are. For example, a rider who weights 70kg in their leathers and with all the protective equipment would need to add 5kg to their bike. A maximum 10kg ballast can be added.

REDUCTION IN CAPACITY: less fuel available for races…

There have also been some changes to fuel regulations. The fuel tank capacity has been reduced to 21 litres, while some tests are ongoing to evaluate fuel flow for 2025. Not only has the fuel tank been reduced, but from this season, 40% of the fuel used must come from non-fossil origin to increase sustainability within the paddock.

AMENDED CONCESSION PROCESS: every two rounds and Superpole Race now scores concession points

As part of the overall package of changes, there have been amendments to how superconcessions work. The concession checkpoint will now be every two rounds, as opposed to three, while manufacturers can now get concession points in the Tissot Superpole Race (previously, it was just Race 1 and Race 2) with ‘half points’ awarded. All manufacturers start on 0 points, and the difference to the highest impacts the concessions. At a checkpoint, any manufacturer with 33 or more points less than the highest will be evaluated. Superconcessions are the only way RPM limits in 2024 can be reduced too, if manufacturers have gained the RPM due to a concession. Also, the superconcession parts now extends to engine components.

ENGINE ALLOCATION INFRINGEMENTS: new penalties

The penalty for exceeding the engine allocation rules has been changed for 2024. A rider now breaking this rule will start from the back of the grid and will also receive two Long Lap Penalties for the infringement. Previously, the punishment was a pit lane start with the rider leaving the pit lane once the green light was on after every rider had passed pit exit.

CHANGES ELSEWHERE: new way of setting WorldSSP, WorldSSP300 and WorldWCR Race 2 grids

The way the grid for Race 2 for WorldSSP, WorldSSP300 and WorldWCR will now be based on the fastest laps set in Race 1. The Tissot Superpole session on a Friday will set the grid for Race 1 as usual, and then the changes come into effect. The riders who set the fastest laps in the opening battle will set the grid for Race 2 for the top nine positions, with the rest of the grid based on the Superpole results.

EXPLAINING THE CHANGES: Lavilla discusses the new rules

Discussing the changes, WorldSBK Executive Director Gregorio Lavilla said: “There are quite a lot of changes for 2024, trying to keep the balance and the opportunity for all manufacturers. Weight introduction, RPM adjustments, fuel tank capacity reduction, super concession updates but not only on the chassis side like it was until 2023 but also on engine side. What has been decided is to add the ballast to the machinery from a weight reference of 80kg with all their gear included, which means helmet, leather and boots at the multiple of 0.5. That means that if a rider weighs 70kg, at 0.5 from 10kg of difference, it means they’ll need to add 5kg. The RPM means it is established from the homologation, but no cut downs can be applied unless the manufacturer is using extra RPM due to a concession. For me, it’s a great show; it’s the best. We have good riders, teams and people behind the scenes making it happen, so I’m really proud of what we’ve achieved. There are fundaments to switch on the TV and enjoy it.”

See the full rule book with all the technical changes HERE.

A NEW ERA BEGINS: don’t miss a single moment from 2024 using the WorldSBK VideoPass!

Source: WorldSBK.com