New homologation procedure for WSBK
The changes seemingly pave the way for Bimota to join the grid in Spain on April 13, with Ayrton Badovini and Christian Iddon to campaign the BMW-powered BB3A new homologation procedure has been announced by the FIM for world superbike competition, which will bring the requirements “in line with the current situation of the motorcycle industry and markets worldwide”.
The decision now paves the way for small-volume Swiss-owned Italian firm Bimota to become the ninth manufacturer on the 2014 world superbike grid once the championship moves to Europe on April 13.
The new homologation procedure is as follows:
- The minimum number of units to start the homologation procedure will be 125.
- At the end of the first year of participation, manufacturers will have to reach 250 units.
- At the end of the second year of participation, manufacturers will have to reach 1000 units.
The minimum numbers of units to commence homologation stays the same (125), but previously 1000 units had to be produced by the end of the first year of competition (for Bimota, that would be December 31, 2014), and 2000 units by December 31 the following year.
The FIM release doesn’t mention Bimota, but an official announcement should be forthcoming on Bimota’s green light to participate in the balance of the 2014 Superbike World Championship after being absent from last weekend’s first round at Phillip Island.
Bimota Alstare Racing plans to field Briton Christian Iddon and Italian Ayrton Badovini on the BMW-powered BB3. Iddon already has a Bimota connection – his father Paul rode a YB3 in the opening years of the world superbike title.
Bimota fell under Swiss ownership in 2013.
Tags
Please see our Editorial Guidelines & Code of Ethics (including for more information about sponsored content and paid events). The information published on this website is of a general nature only and doesn’t consider your particular circumstances or needs.
