22,449
edits
Difference between revisions of "World Superbike championship"
m
no edit summary
m (→Video games) |
m |
||
| Line 10: | Line 10: | ||
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. | 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 | 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 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=== | ||
| Line 23: | Line 23: | ||
===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 | 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 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"/> | ||
A few privateers | A few privateers chose to run Japanese bikes in 2004. [[Ten Kate Racing|Ten Kate Honda]] with [[Chris Vermuelen]] as its rider, won races and actually contended for the title that eventually was won by [[James Toseland]] and Ducati. | ||
===2005 - Japanese return=== | ===2005 - Japanese return=== | ||
[[Image:Toseland-walker.jpg|thumb|[[James Toseland]] (1) on a [[Ducati]] leads [[Chris Walker (motorcycle racer)|Chris Walker]] (9) on a [[Kawasaki Heavy Industries|Kawasaki]] and [[Yukio Kagayama]] (71) on a [[Suzuki]] during a 2005 Superbike World Championship race]] | [[Image:Toseland-walker.jpg|thumb|[[James Toseland]] (1) on a [[Ducati]] leads [[Chris Walker (motorcycle racer)|Chris Walker]] (9) on a [[Kawasaki Heavy Industries|Kawasaki]] and [[Yukio Kagayama]] (71) on a [[Suzuki]] during a 2005 Superbike World Championship race]] | ||
Following Ten Kate Honda's success Japanese motorcycles made him a return in 2005 with major teams from all four Japanese manufacturers run through teams ran by European importers.<ref name="rules"/> [[Troy Corser]] won the 2005 championship, giving Suzuki its first Superbike World Championship title. | |||
Following Ten Kate Honda's success Japanese motorcycles made him a return in | |||
===2006 - Bayliss back on superbikes=== | ===2006 - Bayliss back on superbikes=== | ||
[[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]] | ||
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 Assen.]] | [[Image:Max biaggi wk sbk assen 2007.jpg|thumb|[[Max Biaggi]] riding his Alstare Suzuki [[Suzuki GSX-R1000|GSX-R1000 K7]] at Assen.]] | ||
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 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 | |||
[[Troy Bayliss]] attempted to defend his title, riding once again a [[Ducati 999]]. Though 999 production ended in 2006 and the bike was replaced by the [[Ducati 1098]], Ducati produced 150 limited-edition 999s at an elevated race specification to satisfy [[homologation]] requirements. Bayliss' main rivals in his title defense included former [[MotoGP]] rider [[Max Biaggi]] riding a Suzuki, 2004 champion [[James Toseland]] riding a Honda and [[Noriyuki Haga]] riding a Yamaha. | [[Troy Bayliss]] attempted to defend his title, riding once again a [[Ducati 999]]. Though 999 production ended in 2006 and the bike was replaced by the [[Ducati 1098]], Ducati produced 150 limited-edition 999s at an elevated race specification to satisfy [[homologation]] requirements. Bayliss' main rivals in his title defense included former [[MotoGP]] rider [[Max Biaggi]] riding a Suzuki, 2004 champion [[James Toseland]] riding a Honda and [[Noriyuki Haga]] riding a Yamaha. | ||
| Line 49: | Line 46: | ||
===2008 - 1200 cc twins=== | ===2008 - 1200 cc twins=== | ||
After introducing the [[Ducati 1098]] in 2007 powered by a 1099 cc v-twin engine Ducati requested that Superbike rules be changed to allow v-twins of up to 1200 cc compete against 1000 cc four-cylinder bikes. Ducati argued that they no longer produced a road-going 1000 cc V-twin superbike<ref name="Ducati">[http://www.motorcyclenews.com/MCN/sport/sportresults/mcn/2007/april/apr9-16/apr1107ducatigoesofficialwithwsbquitthreat/?&R=EPI-90430 Ducati goes official with WSB quit threat] motorcyclenews.com retrieved on September 11, 2007</ref> and that the level of tuning now needed to make their 999 competitive on the race track was too expensive.<ref name="1200 cc">[http://www.crash.net/feature_view~cid~5~id~8999.htm WSBK responds to 1200 cc rumours.] crash.net retrieved on September 11, 2007</ref> Ducati said they would quit if the rules were not changed,<ref name="Ducati"/> while Alstare Suzuki team boss Francis Batta also said that his team would quit if the new rules gave Ducati an unfair advantage.<ref name="Suzuki">[http://www.motorcyclenews.com/MCN/sport/sportresults/mcn/2007/april/apr2-8/apr0207biaggisteamthreatenswsbwalkout/ Biaggi's team threatens WSB walk-out] motorcyclenews.com retrieved on September 11, 2007</ref> | After introducing the [[Ducati 1098]] in 2007 powered by a 1099 cc v-twin engine Ducati requested that Superbike rules be changed to allow v-twins of up to 1200 cc compete against 1000 cc four-cylinder bikes. Ducati argued that they no longer produced a road-going 1000 cc V-twin superbike<ref name="Ducati">[http://www.motorcyclenews.com/MCN/sport/sportresults/mcn/2007/april/apr9-16/apr1107ducatigoesofficialwithwsbquitthreat/?&R=EPI-90430 Ducati goes official with WSB quit threat] motorcyclenews.com retrieved on September 11, 2007</ref> and that the level of tuning now needed to make their 999 competitive on the race track was too expensive.<ref name="1200 cc">[http://www.crash.net/feature_view~cid~5~id~8999.htm WSBK responds to 1200 cc rumours.] crash.net retrieved on September 11, 2007</ref> Ducati said they would quit if the rules were not changed,<ref name="Ducati"/> while Alstare Suzuki team boss Francis Batta also said that his team would quit if the new rules gave Ducati an unfair advantage.<ref name="Suzuki">[http://www.motorcyclenews.com/MCN/sport/sportresults/mcn/2007/april/apr2-8/apr0207biaggisteamthreatenswsbwalkout/ Biaggi's team threatens WSB walk-out] motorcyclenews.com retrieved on September 11, 2007</ref> | ||
The FIM eventually included the 1200 cc displacement limit for twins in the | The FIM eventually included the 1200 cc displacement limit for twins in the 2008 superbike rules. According to the new rules, twin-cylinder motorcycles would be 6 kg heavier than four-cylinder machines (168 kg to 162 kg) and would also have a 50 mm [[air restrictor]] fitted. The weight limit and the intake-restrictor size of twin machines would be updated, if needed, during the Championship, by a system analysing the race points obtained.<ref name="tech">[http://www.worldsbk.com/pubb_EN/news_ext.php?id=1793&cat_id=1 Changes to the Technical Rules for 2008] worldsbk.com retrieved on September 11, 2007</ref> | ||
The new rules also changed the minimum number of bikes required to acquire [[homologation]]. For 2008 and 2009, all manufacturers, regardless of total production numbers, had to produce a minimum of 1,000 bikes to acquire homologation. From 2010 onwards, the minimum production number was increased to 3000 bikes. In the past, smaller manufacturers were allowed to build as few as 150 bikes to meet the homologation requirements. Manufacturers took advantage of this by producing 'homologation specials'--highly tuned versions of their road bikes with performance parts designed especially for racing.<ref name="meaning">[http://www.superbikeplanet.com/2007/Jun/e/n070616d.htm 1200 cc Is In, But What Does It Mean?] superbikeplanet.com retrieved on September 11, 2007</ref> | The new rules also changed the minimum number of bikes required to acquire [[homologation]]. For 2008 and 2009, all manufacturers, regardless of total production numbers, had to produce a minimum of 1,000 bikes to acquire homologation. From 2010 onwards, the minimum production number was increased to 3000 bikes. In the past, smaller manufacturers were allowed to build as few as 150 bikes to meet the homologation requirements. Manufacturers took advantage of this by producing 'homologation specials'--highly tuned versions of their road bikes with performance parts designed especially for racing.<ref name="meaning">[http://www.superbikeplanet.com/2007/Jun/e/n070616d.htm 1200 cc Is In, But What Does It Mean?] superbikeplanet.com retrieved on September 11, 2007</ref> | ||
| Line 80: | Line 76: | ||
Many riders successful in the Superbike World Championship have gone on to MotoGP, such as 2002 champion [[Colin Edwards]], 2007 champion [[James Toseland]], and 2005 runner-up [[Chris Vermeulen]]. The championship has seen several former [[MotoGP]] riders move to it, usually after failing to earn competitive rides. The 2008 field includes five former MotoGP winners: [[Max Biaggi]], [[Carlos Checa]] and [[Makoto Tamada]] all raced exclusively in [[MotoGP]] before joining SBK, while [[Troy Bayliss]], [[Noriyuki Haga]], and [[Régis Laconi]] had alternating spells in both. | Many riders successful in the Superbike World Championship have gone on to MotoGP, such as 2002 champion [[Colin Edwards]], 2007 champion [[James Toseland]], and 2005 runner-up [[Chris Vermeulen]]. The championship has seen several former [[MotoGP]] riders move to it, usually after failing to earn competitive rides. The 2008 field includes five former MotoGP winners: [[Max Biaggi]], [[Carlos Checa]] and [[Makoto Tamada]] all raced exclusively in [[MotoGP]] before joining SBK, while [[Troy Bayliss]], [[Noriyuki Haga]], and [[Régis Laconi]] had alternating spells in both. | ||
Except for Frenchman [[Raymond Roche]], who won the championship in | Except for Frenchman [[Raymond Roche]], who won the championship in 1990, all Superbike World Champions have been native [[English language|English]] speakers. Italian riders [[Davide Tardozzi]] and [[Marco Lucchinelli]] won the first two races of the series, and Frenchman [[Adrien Morillas]] was also victorious in 1988; Germany had to wait for [[Max Neukirchner]] to achieve this in 2008, although [[Austria]]n [[Andreas Meklau]] was the first German-speaker to win a race, in 1993. Spain’s first race winner was [[Ruben Xaus]] in 2001 | ||
==Superbike motorcycles== | ==Superbike motorcycles== | ||