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- Mar 11, 2007
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I guess it's time for a biannual post about the future of World Superbikes before the 2025 season is underway.
We've had 7 years to digest the slow introduction of race kits, balance of performance, concessions and super concessions, and I think it's fair to say that Superbike is barely holding on. While the on-track action is often entertaining, thanks to talented riders with a flair for the dramatic (Toprak), the superbike industry as a whole is still in contraction. The national series are struggling to pay the bills and homogenize their rulebooks with other series. The World Superbike series is struggling to expand its calendar, and keep the teams and employees well fed.
To address these issues, I think Liberty would be smart to focus on two key concepts:
1. Accessibility
2. Competitiveness
Over the years Superbike has become less accessible for a variety of reasons. The 1000cc mostly-prototype era chased the privateer teams away, who were once the bedrock of Superbike. The race bikes have become increasingly electronic and expensive. It's no longer possible to leverage the skillset of a few good mechanics and a crew chief. Teams need data analysts and electronic engineers to setup the bikes. If aero continues to progress, the sophistication and cost will only increase. The performance of the race bikes has also become prohibitive. Fewer riders have the experience and the technical team support to handle Superbike horsepower. Venues cannot safely support the class, which means fans and local privateers have less access. The lack of access and participation have slowly eroded the competitive landscape, particularly in the national series. World Superbike has grown reliant on ex-GP riders to maintain series notoriety and keep the competition interesting.
For these reasons Superbike should shake things up, and try to recapture the spirit of the 90s:
1. Maintain BoP and introduce Next-Gen rules with less HP to increase manufacturer participation and road-relevance
2. Ditch race kits and homologate the competition models (install the kits at the factory)
3. Simplify the electronic user interface so it's basically pre-selectors or function sliders. Factories will work with the teams to harvest data and improve function.
4. Reduce the cost of the race bikes
5. Return to classic venues like Monza, Laguna Seca, Brands Hatch, and most importantly, return to a track in Japan
6. Ensure accessibility for privateers in the national series
These things are required, imo, to stop a potential merger between MotoGP and World SBK. If the series merge, I suspect the Superbike class will simply disappear. SSP will be re-tuned and replace Moto2.
We've had 7 years to digest the slow introduction of race kits, balance of performance, concessions and super concessions, and I think it's fair to say that Superbike is barely holding on. While the on-track action is often entertaining, thanks to talented riders with a flair for the dramatic (Toprak), the superbike industry as a whole is still in contraction. The national series are struggling to pay the bills and homogenize their rulebooks with other series. The World Superbike series is struggling to expand its calendar, and keep the teams and employees well fed.
To address these issues, I think Liberty would be smart to focus on two key concepts:
1. Accessibility
2. Competitiveness
Over the years Superbike has become less accessible for a variety of reasons. The 1000cc mostly-prototype era chased the privateer teams away, who were once the bedrock of Superbike. The race bikes have become increasingly electronic and expensive. It's no longer possible to leverage the skillset of a few good mechanics and a crew chief. Teams need data analysts and electronic engineers to setup the bikes. If aero continues to progress, the sophistication and cost will only increase. The performance of the race bikes has also become prohibitive. Fewer riders have the experience and the technical team support to handle Superbike horsepower. Venues cannot safely support the class, which means fans and local privateers have less access. The lack of access and participation have slowly eroded the competitive landscape, particularly in the national series. World Superbike has grown reliant on ex-GP riders to maintain series notoriety and keep the competition interesting.
For these reasons Superbike should shake things up, and try to recapture the spirit of the 90s:
1. Maintain BoP and introduce Next-Gen rules with less HP to increase manufacturer participation and road-relevance
2. Ditch race kits and homologate the competition models (install the kits at the factory)
3. Simplify the electronic user interface so it's basically pre-selectors or function sliders. Factories will work with the teams to harvest data and improve function.
4. Reduce the cost of the race bikes
5. Return to classic venues like Monza, Laguna Seca, Brands Hatch, and most importantly, return to a track in Japan
6. Ensure accessibility for privateers in the national series
These things are required, imo, to stop a potential merger between MotoGP and World SBK. If the series merge, I suspect the Superbike class will simply disappear. SSP will be re-tuned and replace Moto2.
