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Difference between revisions of "World Superbike championship"
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==History== | ==History== | ||
The Superbike World Championship began in | The Superbike World Championship began in 1988, being open to modified versions of road bike models available to the public. For many years, the formula allowed for machines with 1000 cc [[V-twin]] engines (principally [[Ducati]], but later [[Aprilia]] and [[Honda]]) to go up against the 750 cc [[four-cylinder]] engines ([[Honda]], [[Yamaha]], [[Kawasaki Heavy Industries|Kawasaki]] and [[Suzuki]]). For the first few seasons [[Honda]] won with the [[Honda VFR750R|RC30]], but gradually the twins got the upper hand. Using 1000 cc [[V-twin]] engines benefited [[Ducati]] and it was able to dominate the championship for many years. From 1993 to 1999 [[Carl Fogarty]] and [[Ducati]] dominated, Fogarty won the title a record 4 times and finished as runner-up twice on factory Ducatis. [[Troy Corser]] also won the 1996 title and finished as runner-up in 1995, both times on a Ducati. | ||
[[Image:cf1.jpg|thumb|[[Carl Fogarty]] has won the Superbike World Championship a record 4 times with [[Ducati Corse|Ducati]]]] | [[Image:cf1.jpg|thumb|[[Carl Fogarty]] has won the Superbike World Championship a record 4 times with [[Ducati Corse|Ducati]]]] | ||
Realizing that 1000 cc [[V-twin]] engines suited the superbike racing formula more, Honda introduced its own V-Twin powered motorcycle the [[Honda RC51|VTR1000/RC51]] in {{SBK|2000}}. The result was clear right away as [[Colin Edwards]] won the championship in the bike's first year of competition. Ducati regained the title in | Realizing that 1000 cc [[V-twin]] engines suited the superbike racing formula more, Honda introduced its own V-Twin powered motorcycle the [[Honda RC51|VTR1000/RC51]] in {{SBK|2000}}. The result was clear right away as [[Colin Edwards]] won the championship in the bike's first year of competition. Ducati regained the title in 2001 with [[Troy Bayliss]]. | ||
===2002 - Edwards vs Bayliss=== | ===2002 - Edwards vs Bayliss=== | ||
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===2003 - 1000 cc engines=== | ===2003 - 1000 cc engines=== | ||
In 2003 the FIM changed the rules to allow 1000 cc machines (either twins, triples or four-cylinder) to race. Rule changes in [[MotoGP]] to allow [[4-stroke]] engines meant that the Japanese manufacturers focused their resources there, leaving the Superbike World Championship with limited factory involvement<ref name="1000ccSBK">[http://www.motorcycledaily.com/26jan011000ccsuperbikes.html 1000 cc Superbikes May Save World Championship] motorcycledaily.com retrieved on September 13, 2007</ref> (only Ducati and Suzuki). | In 2003 the FIM changed the rules to allow 1000 cc machines (either twins, triples or four-cylinder) to race. Rule changes in [[MotoGP]] to allow [[4-stroke]] engines meant that the Japanese manufacturers focused their resources there, leaving the Superbike World Championship with limited factory involvement<ref name="1000ccSBK">[http://www.motorcycledaily.com/26jan011000ccsuperbikes.html 1000 cc Superbikes May Save World Championship] motorcycledaily.com retrieved on September 13, 2007</ref> (only Ducati and Suzuki). | ||
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===2004 - control tires=== | ===2004 - control tires=== | ||
In an effort to create a more competitive field in 2004 organizers announced a series of changes to the championship. The most significant was that from {{SBK|2004}} the teams have had to run on [[Pirelli]] control or 'spec' tires. The decision to award the control tire to [[Pirelli]] was controversial. The [[Pirelli]] tires were considered to be below the standard of [[Dunlop Tires|Dunlop]] and [[Michelin]] that most of the teams had been using. Dunlop looked to take legal action against the decision<ref name="Dunlop">[http://www.crash.net/news_view~cid~5~id~72727.htm Dunlop plans legal action over rule changes.] crash.net retrieved on September 11, 2007</ref> while Pirelli claimed that Michelin and Dunlop were also asked if they would be interested in the one-make tire rule contract.<ref name="Pirelli">[http://www.crash.net/news_view~cid~5~id~103060.htm Pirelli: All the manufacturers were approached.] crash.net retrieved on September 11, 2007</ref> | In an effort to create a more competitive field in 2004 organizers announced a series of changes to the championship. The most significant was that from {{SBK|2004}} the teams have had to run on [[Pirelli]] control or 'spec' tires. The decision to award the control tire to [[Pirelli]] was controversial. The [[Pirelli]] tires were considered to be below the standard of [[Dunlop Tires|Dunlop]] and [[Michelin]] that most of the teams had been using. Dunlop looked to take legal action against the decision<ref name="Dunlop">[http://www.crash.net/news_view~cid~5~id~72727.htm Dunlop plans legal action over rule changes.] crash.net retrieved on September 11, 2007</ref> while Pirelli claimed that Michelin and Dunlop were also asked if they would be interested in the one-make tire rule contract.<ref name="Pirelli">[http://www.crash.net/news_view~cid~5~id~103060.htm Pirelli: All the manufacturers were approached.] crash.net retrieved on September 11, 2007</ref> | ||
Partly as a result of the control tires, Motorcycle Sports Manufacturer Association (Aprilia, Ducati, Honda, Kawasaki, Suzuki and Yamaha) announced that no MSMA teams would participate in the Superbike World Championship, later modifying their statement allowing Ducati to participate.<ref name="rules2"/><ref name="rules"/> | Partly as a result of the control tires, Motorcycle Sports Manufacturer Association (Aprilia, Ducati, Honda, Kawasaki, Suzuki and Yamaha) announced that no MSMA teams would participate in the Superbike World Championship, later modifying their statement allowing Ducati to participate.<ref name="rules2"/><ref name="rules"/> | ||
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[[Image:Troy Bayliss SBK 2006.jpg|thumb|left|[[Troy Bayliss]] has won the Superbike World Championship a record 3 times with [[Ducati Corse|Ducati]] after Carl Fogarty]] | [[Image:Troy Bayliss SBK 2006.jpg|thumb|left|[[Troy Bayliss]] has won the Superbike World Championship a record 3 times with [[Ducati Corse|Ducati]] after Carl Fogarty]] | ||
{{Main|2006 Superbike World Championship season}} | {{Main|2006 Superbike World Championship season}} | ||
{{SBK|2006}} saw the return of Australian [[Troy Bayliss]] to the Superbike World Championship after three years in [[MotoGP]]. The combination of Bayliss and Ducati proved unstoppable and they dominated the season, winning 12 races. Honda-mounted [[James Toseland]] and Yamaha's [[Noriyuki Haga]] battled for second with the British rider coming out on top. Defending champion [[Troy Corser]] on a Suzuki was fourth. | {{SBK|2006}} saw the return of Australian [[Troy Bayliss]] to the Superbike World Championship after three years in [[MotoGP]]. The combination of Bayliss and Ducati proved unstoppable and they dominated the season, winning 12 races. Honda-mounted [[James Toseland]] and Yamaha's [[Noriyuki Haga]] battled for second with the British rider coming out on top. Defending champion [[Troy Corser]] on a Suzuki was fourth. 2006 gave the feeling that the Superbike World Championship was 'back' following the years of decline in 2003 and 2004.<ref name="rules"/> | ||
===2007 - Increase in popularity=== | ===2007 - Increase in popularity=== | ||
[[Image:Max biaggi wk sbk assen 2007.jpg|thumb|[[Max Biaggi]] riding his Alstare Suzuki [[Suzuki GSX-R1000|GSX-R1000 K7]] at | [[Image:Max biaggi wk sbk assen 2007.jpg|thumb|[[Max Biaggi]] riding his Alstare Suzuki [[Suzuki GSX-R1000|GSX-R1000 K7]] at Assen.]] | ||
{{Main|2007 Superbike World Championship season}} | {{Main|2007 Superbike World Championship season}} | ||
With [[MotoGP]] machines reduced in capacity from 990 cc to an 800 cc maximum displacement, 1000 cc Superbikes, both at World Championship and top national championships ([[AMA Superbike]] and [[British Superbike]]) become the most powerful racing bikes being road raced in {{SBK|2007}}. While superbikes remained two or more seconds per lap slower than MotoGP bikes at most tracks where both raced, they had equal or more power.<ref name="powerful">[http://www.speedtv.com/articles/moto/worldsuperbike/35637/?page=1 WSBK: Superbikes Now the Most Powerful Racing Bikes in the World] speedtv.com retrieved on September 11, 2007</ref><ref name="collision">[http://www.speedtv.com/commentary/34988/ Collision Course: MotoGP and World Superbike] speedtv.com retrieved on September 11, 2007</ref> | With [[MotoGP]] machines reduced in capacity from 990 cc to an 800 cc maximum displacement, 1000 cc Superbikes, both at World Championship and top national championships ([[AMA Superbike]] and [[British Superbike]]) become the most powerful racing bikes being road raced in {{SBK|2007}}. While superbikes remained two or more seconds per lap slower than MotoGP bikes at most tracks where both raced, they had equal or more power.<ref name="powerful">[http://www.speedtv.com/articles/moto/worldsuperbike/35637/?page=1 WSBK: Superbikes Now the Most Powerful Racing Bikes in the World] speedtv.com retrieved on September 11, 2007</ref><ref name="collision">[http://www.speedtv.com/commentary/34988/ Collision Course: MotoGP and World Superbike] speedtv.com retrieved on September 11, 2007</ref> | ||