Supersport Class Capacity

Following MDs win in this years Supersport class I was interested to learn that Davey Todd in second place was riding a 955 Ducati. Since when has a 600 in line 4 started making the same power as a 955 v twin? I was fairly gobsmacked to see basically the similar but improved engine that Fogarty rode in his WSBK winning days racing against 600s, what’s going on? Tried to find the speed trap figures but couldn’t.

Two years ago the FIM introduced Next Generation Supersport regulations, which balance the performance of various engine types. Long story short, the Ducati has the power turned down to make it equal to the 600s. In World Supersport, the MV F3 800 and Triumph 765 also compete in Supersport. In the US, the GSX-R750 races in Supersport. In the future, KTM will homologate an new 990 RC model and Yamaha will bring the R9 triple at some point.

These Next Gen regs are the culmination of a slow-moving (and somewhat unpopular) metamorphosis of the Supersport class into balance of performance regulations. The change arguably started under DMG when they created the Daytona Sportbike class in AMA Pro, but they were attempting to balance motorcycles before throttle by wire. The FIM Next Gen rules require throttle by wire.

The concept generally works like this: The FIM sets a target torque/horsepower output and operating rev range. The teams submit a list of modification parts and engine tune mapping. The FIM homologates the parts and engine operating parameters. All teams run the same performance parts and same state of tune, which can vary by series and region. Performance is enforced by monitoring throttle opening (among other things) with an electronic tattle tale. In SBK they monitor fuel flow, too.

The issue with the Next Gen regs is that they balance engine/bike performance in a short-circuit environment. Racing flat-out on open roads is not a strength of the new regs, but it sounds like the IOM organizers have addressed some of those issues, and they have chosen to adopt Next Gen Supersport going forward.

Thanks for explaining. So it makes now sense to race an understressed engine against the howling banshee 600s. I dare say the organiser's will be flat out checking for ahem modifications to the ECUs on the bigger bikes. Just remember to slow for the speed traps.

Faz said:

Thanks for explaining. So it makes now sense to race an understressed engine against the howling banshee 600s. I dare say the organiser's will be flat out checking for ahem modifications to the ECUs on the bigger bikes. Just remember to slow for the speed traps.

Click to expand...

Not a scrutineering expert, but the electronic data loggers are sophisticated. Not sure if someone could figure out how to spoof them or send bad data through a spec sensor.

Regardless, we mustn't forget to sandbag for the speed trap. They might turn down our power if we go too fast.