The Superbike Commission has agreed on a number of changes to the regulations regarding World Superbike, World Super sport and FIM Super stock 1000.These changes will be applicable from the 2013 season onwards. World Superbike riders will now be able to change their wheels (tyres) during the course of a race if it rains but refueling is strictly forbidden. The minimum weight also has a regulation in place for twin and four cylinders. Minimum weight for both 1200cc twin cylinders and 1000cc four cylinders will be 165kg.
"A Superbike race will not be interrupted for climatic reasons except for extraordinary events and riders who wish to change tyres or make adjustments must enter the pits (at any moment) and do so during the actual race," said an FIM statement.
Other rules introduced include brake lever protection that prevents the front brake from being activated in case the brake lever is pressed during a collision; 17-inch wheels like most production motorcycles have; new three-bike grid formation for starts like MotoGP and the use of a rear safety light in wet conditions. Super sport teams are not only bound by the brake lever and rear light rules but will also now be constrained to eight engines per season for a permanent rider. If that rider is substituted, then it doesn’t change the number of engines allocated to the team.
