2010 BSB rules - the debate starts

Pigeon · Aug 19, 2009

Personally.i think the Quality of BSB hasnt been as good this yr
and if Airwaves & HM Plant move on or restrict there capacity in BSB.2010
whats left.?

2010 BSB rules - the debate starts here

It’s the time of the year when people start talking bout the following year’s prospects. The MotoGP and WSB silly season is in full flow, BSB’s traditionally starts a little later.

But while there’s not much talk about riders movements in the BSB paddock – apart from Camier saying he wants to go to WSB, and rumours surrounding the future of both Airwaves Yamaha (may sit out 2010, may go to WSB, may stay in BSB, honouring their –two-yeasr Yamaha deal) and HM Plant Honda (may quit BSB, may run just superstock and supersport bikes instead of BSB, may go to WSB, may stay in BSB!) - there’s not too much serious gossip-mongering going on.

There is however a big debate on the future of the BSB technical regulations. BSB ran FIM regs in 2007, went to a more restrictive supersport-tune engine format last year and is now back to FIM spec again.

The talk is now about how to cut costs. MSVR, the people who run BSB have been in consultation with the TLG (Team’s Liaison Group) and MLG (Manufacturer’s Liaison Group) – both groups set up in 2008 to promote open discussion with MSVR

BSB Race Director Stuart Higgs said: “We are clearly in a difficult (financial) climate and realise that any change brings extra costs and a lack of stability so we’ve asked them to submit their opinions on the rules.

“The aim is to maintain stability whilst looking at ways to manage costs. There is a groundswell of opinion that the teams want to stay with the current technical regulations. There is a pool of valid equipment but we need to work on the most efficient way to make it (the series) work in future.”

Higgs doesn’t want to discuss specific rule changes at this stage but it seems likely the current technical regulations governing machinery will remain.
However, up for discussion, could be:
One bike per rider
Reducing meetings from three to two days
Reducing the number of championship rounds
Limiting testing to one BSB-organised pre-season test
Restrictions on electronics
Further tyre restrictions

It’s likely that any changes will be announced by then end of next month.
In the meantime, keep checking back for the team bosses views on realistic cost-cutting options.

Bootsakah · Aug 19, 2009

This is the first year I have watched BSB. I've enjoyed the racing. The coverage by Eurosport is some of the best I have seen. The pre-race interviews with team managers, racers, etc has been a great way to "get into" the series. The race coverage is also some of the best I have seen, they show lots of battles throughout the field (none of this only following the leader ........), and I really enjoy listening to the commentary by Whitam, Burnicle and Haydon. The only problem with the series, so to speak, would be the talented Camier who definitely seems to out class the field, but his aspirations to move up to WSBK should cure that.

I'm a noob to the series, but my take on the changes:

One bike per rider - dumbest rule they could ever put in place, as it causes a logistics nightmare.
Limiting days - could be done, but not sure how much savings this would bring them.
Limiting tracks - for sure a few tracks could be cut (Snetterton comes to mind as it seems to be a simple little track) but all this depends on return of investment I would imagine.
Electronics - I sometimes think this is over emphasized. In the AMA Josh Hayes who runs the Yamaha R1 uses no traction control and has been winning races. I'm not so sure how good limiting electronics is going to level the field, but this may be more about cost savings.

mylexicon · Aug 19, 2009

I'm interested in the problems with BSB mainly because it demonstrates the glaring problems that result when a national series adopts WSBK rules. Even though BSB is able to attract quality talent and teams, BSB has been relegated to a stepping stone in the WSBK hierarchy. BSB is still a very prestigous minor league operation, but teams, mechanics, riders, sponsors, etc are all eager to boost themselves into WSBK. In the end, BSB becomes a hollow vessel responsible for ferrying people from obscurity to stardom.

I'm not trying to disparage BSB, but I am keen to point out the problems so that people will stop demanding that the AMA adopt WSBK rules. If anything, the national series should band together and form their own set of rules that are designed around the limitations of a national series. WSBK rules are written mainly by the major manufacturing companies, but most national series don't have the benefit of full factory support from Italy, Germany, or Japan. I hope Britain ditches WSBK rules and opts for a set of rules that addresses the challenges in the British series.

If they do a good enough job of it, the AMA might be able to use the British rules (then we might get a little transatlantic action going on).

It's sad to see series talk of shortening the events, reducing the number of events, and reducing the number of bikes in the paddock. BSB could significantly cut costs without destroying performance, but it would require them to ditch WSBK rules.

mylexicon · Aug 21, 2009

Airwaves steps down as title sponsor for factory Yamaha and GSE racing

LINK

Austin · Aug 21, 2009

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (mylexicon @ Aug 21 2009, 08:23 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Airwaves steps down as title sponsor for factory Yamaha and GSE racing

LINK
For the record, when I was in England I only chewed Airwaves solely because they were a major sponsor in the series. And I grew to love it. Who wants to mail me a care package????

DRILL · Aug 26, 2009

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Austin @ Aug 22 2009, 03:02 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>For the record, when I was in England I only chewed Airwaves solely because they were a major sponsor in the series. And I grew to love it. Who wants to mail me a care package????

I`ve got some uesd ones mate,bit of flavour left in `em.

Pigeon · Aug 26, 2009

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (mylexicon @ Aug 22 2009, 02:23 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Airwaves steps down as title sponsor for factory Yamaha and GSE racing

ty
i can see the whole of BSB Struggling ££/$$ in 2010 no real reason why.just a feeling

DRILL · Sep 3, 2009

I say go back to supersport specs,the racing was just as intense that year.It also puts WSBK back on its own pedestal with its own regs.Riders need something to aim for like a step up in machinery on the world stage.

Bootsakah · Sep 3, 2009

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (DRILL @ Sep 3 2009, 11:30 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>I say go back to supersport specs,the racing was just as intense that year.It also puts WSBK back on its own pedestal with its own regs.Riders need something to aim for like a step up in machinery on the world stage.

Agreed. Apparently GSE Yamaha is buying their bikes from Yamaha Italia. Basically the same bikes Spies/Sykes have been riding. That's gotta cost some serious bucks (quid).

Another thing they need to fix are the rules with what happens when a red flag comes out. The incident with Brookes taking out the top 4-5 riders due to a stupid rule was lame.

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