Circuit Information:
Length: 4.423 Km
Pole position: Right
Corners: 13
While You Were Sleeping
It has been almost two months since World Superbikes last turned a wheel in anger. In an environment where fractions of a second make the difference between glory and humiliation, a lull of almost 60 days can seem interminable. The fans endure, allowing the riders a chance to rest, recover and return stronger than ever. Yet even as the action on the track cools the WSBK circus remains far from a slumbering giant. The summer break remains rife with drama and action that adds spice to the melodrama as the show kicks off again.
Bimota Alstare
One of the big stories coming into the weekend is Bimota's confirmed exit from WSBK competition. Though ostensibly competing in the EVO class based on machine spec, Bimota technically entered the 2014 season as an unclassed entry. Prior to the first weekend the manufacturer had been unable to meet the stated homologation requirements. Though the quota was reduced during the season, Bimota confirms that it is still unable to meet FIM sale requirements and will therefore withdraw from the final races of the season with an eye for competing in 2015.
Though their departure illustrates the difficulties faced by small volume manufacturers attempting to compete on the world stage, neither the size of the challenge that they undertook nor their success should go unappreciated. A few short decades ago a clever engineer could take parts from a bike produced to a budget to sell in large numbers, and create something truly exceptional for a price. With the advent and proliferation of technologies such as Finite Element Analysis, CAD and wind tunnel testing today's manufacturers build highly competent machines for the masses that eclipse the unobtanium special editions of yesterday. For a boutique manufacturer demanding a premium price tag the goal must always be to show that you are at least as good, if not outright better; and Bimota managed to do just that. Amongst its EVO peers the BB3 acquitted itself quite well and was in competition for the EVO title... or would have been had it been allowed to score points.
While fans will be denied the spectacle of the red and white bikes fighting to gain traction against its namesake BMW rivals, Bimota's new management team has proven that they have put together a competitive package in the short time allowed. Should they return for 2015, as the bikes all become more aligned, they could be a serious title contender overall.
Eric Buell Racing
Things have not been easy for team EBR this year in WSBK. While Bimota teamed up with championship winning Alstare for their foray into deep water, Buell elected to go it "alone" and make the brand's initial year on the world stage a complete learning experience for the company, support team, racers and bike. The move highlights the increasing disparity between the two small manufacturer's approach to both their motorcycles and to racing. While Bimota used the proven heart of the BMW S1000RR, the Buell uses a custom purposed mill and chassis. While the Alstare prepped Bimota has been able to run at the fore of the EVO class and even at times with the big boys, the 1190RX has struggled at the back of the pack. Interestingly the results have been the same. Neither has managed to break into the points this season.
Despite the setbacks and frustration, Buell continues to press forward and is seeing some of the benefits from his work. On a recent trip to Australia for what should have been a photo op, the team was pleasantly surprised by just how well the 1190RX was performing that they did what any red blooded American would have done - they stripped off the plastics for some sexy race plastics and went racing! The result was equally surprising. The EBR machine took pole, and followed it up by winning all four races of the weekend against veteran riders and race prepped bikes.
For the fans, those wins show that there is potential in the machine that needs to be developed to the level available on the world stage. Eric Buell needs no such reassurance - he's already made homologation at least, and gets to keep on racing. He does, however, have several thoughts on how his riders and namesake motorcycle are performing this year, which the FIM has been gracious enough to leave open to the masses.
Mahi Racing Team India
Or, to be more precise, San Carlo Pucceti Racing. Two different teams, to be sure, but one star rider between them. Keenan Soufoglu, the Turkish star and veteran rider will part ways with Mahi Racing this weekend to join San Carlo Pucceti in a move that is being described as "amicable" by both parties. The sudden move midway through the season raises an interesting battery of questions, however details concerning the split remain sparse. Soufoglu himself has performed well this season, currently residing fourth in the standings and still in strong championship contention. The team will be looking to immediately build on his success thus far in a bid to finish the season strong and gain traction for 2015.
Kawasaki Racing Team
Further up field, in news that will shock nobody, Kawasaki has retained the services of Tom Sykes for a further two years. The current world champion enjoys a commanding 44 point advantage over the field with half of the season gone. While the title is far from clinched, and there have been cracks observed in the Kawasaki armor, Sykes retains a psychological grip on the championship that is proving hard to break - about as hard as Kawasaki's hold on the British rider. Team Green have a very good thing, and they know it. With two more years together we may be looking at the start of a dynasty unless someone else can pull a rabbit out of a hat. Soon.
