WorldSBK to introduce reversed grids for 2017
The World Superbike Championship is set to adopt a radical, if somewhat confusing, reverse grid format for the second race of each round, the Superbike Commission have confirmed amongst other changes in their latest meeting.
Currently, the grid for both races is determined by the results of Saturday’s Superpole session. Whilst this format will remain for the first races of each meeting, the second race will see the top nine from race one start elsewhere on the grid.
The podium finishers from the first race will drop back to the third row and the winner and third-placed rider will switch positions, so the victor from race one starts ninth. Those who finished fourth, fifth and sixth will move up to the front row whilst those who rounded out the top nine are promoted to the second row. Positions from 10th and lower will remain the same as they were in Superpole.
The Commission have also agreed to ban the use of scooters for track familiarisation as a safety precaution, something introduced in MotoGP for the final few races this year after two Moto3 riders injured themselves in a crash at Sepang.
A revised weekend schedule is set to be implemented for 2017 as well to incorporate the new Supersport 300 Championship, whilst the World Supersport Championship will run under flag-to-flag rules in wet races for the first time. Much like in WorldSBK, if the weather changes during a race WorldSSP riders will be permitted to pit for the appropriate tyres.
Slight revisions have also been made to the Technical Regulations for the Superbike and Supersport class. WorldSBK teams will now be permitted to change airbox sensors and replace parts on the Variable intake tract system for added strength. In WorldSSP, as a result of the new flag-to-flag rule, modifications can now be made to wheel axils and front fender mounts to allow for smoother wheel changes at pit stops.