New FIM Supersport 300 World Championship to Begin in 2017

World Superbike owners Dorna have announced a new 300cc feeder class for the series in order to encourage new talent into the sport. And yes, the India-made KTM RC390 will be an eligible machine in this class.
According to the release, this new production-based platform is designed to be the new beginner class for WSBK, providing higher categories with new talents and also for manufacturers to showcase their 300cc machinery. The minimum rider entry age is 15.

Javier Alonso, WorldSBK Executive Director said, “The focus is to have an affordable Series for these young competitors. There has been great interest for low-capacity motorcycles in this sport and the new WorldSSP 300 class strives to offer that. It will be promoted by Manufacturers as an easily accessible championship, the best possible platform to grow future stars where Manufacturers can accompany riders from an early age and as they progress through their career.”

The class will be based around the machines sold in Europe as A2 class machines and excluding the A1 class machines. The Superbike Commission has the right to decide which machines will eligible in the class. For 2017, the following will be legal (this list can be amended at any time by the Superbike Commission):

1 - Honda CBR500R
2 - Kawasaki Ninja 300 (EX300ADF)
3 - Yamaha YZF-R3
4 - KTM RC390

The Commission also reserve the right to applying balancing to the machines in the class as they see fit in order to maintain equality amongst machines. Methods may include but are not limited to the following:

1 - Rev limit
2 - Weight limit change