---
title: "WorldSBK set to decide on control ECU ‘within the following weeks’"
canonical: "https://readmotorsport.com/2017/06/15/worldsbk-set-decide-control-ecu-within-following-weeks/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Lewis Duncan"
section: "SBK"
published: "2017-06-15T11:08:42Z"
modified: "2017-06-15T11:08:42Z"
---

# WorldSBK set to decide on control ECU ‘within the following weeks’

World Superbike Championship bosses are set to decide on introducing control electronics to the series for 2018 in the coming weeks, as it seeks to create a more competitive championship.

In recent weeks, several team bosses have called on WorldSBK to reduce the performance gap in the championship and give other manufacturers a chance to compete with the all-conquering Kawasaki and Ducati.

![Mirco Lazzari gp/Getty Images Sport](https://media.readmotorsport.com/readmotorsport/2017/06/689417940.jpg)

Kawasaki and Ducati have won all bar one race in WorldSBK since the beginning of 2016, while KRT riders Tom Sykes and Jonathan Rea and Ducati’s Chaz Davies have finished top three in the standings since 2015.

The Superbike Commission held a meeting on the Friday of the Catalunya Grand Prix last week to discuss the idea of introducing a control electronics package to the series. No decision was taken there, but one is imminent.

“There were no decisions taken for an immediate application,” an FIM statement read.

“However, the possibility of controlling and applying a single Electronics Control Unit in the SBK class for 2018 was discussed. The final decision about using a single ECU would be taken within the following weeks.”

Control Electronics are nothing new in top tier motorcycle racing. The British Superbike Championship switched to a unified package in 2012, whereby no rider aids are allowed.

More recently, MotoGP introduced control electronics for the 2016 season to close the performance gap. Unlike BSB, rider aids are still present, but more for safety rather than performance gain.

![Mirco Lazzari gp/Getty Images Sport](https://media.readmotorsport.com/readmotorsport/2017/06/682997368.jpg)

Introducing control electronics in 2018 would be WorldSBK’s second radical change to the regulations in as many years. A partially reversed grid format for race two made its debut this season in a bid to improve the spectacle.

However, seldom have the riders shuffled back through the order suffered as a result, with all Sunday races this year won by either Rea or Davies.

Following the Donington round at the end of May, Kawasaki’s Sykes led calls for the system to be scrapped for next season, as he believes it creates unnecessary danger and has robbed fans of better battles towards the front of the field.

WorldSBK moves onto the seventh round of the 2017 season this weekend at Misano, the series’ second trip to Italy this year. Action begins at 09:45 on Friday with first free practice.