FIM and Dorna have announced a new entry level class, Supersport 300 in WSBK and WorldSSP. This class is designed to bring emerging talent in the motorcycle racing and for manufactures to showcase their A2 license bikes capabilities.
The new production-based platform will be available to riders with minimum 15 years of age.
Vito Ippolito, President of FIM said,
“This new platform will be the perfect environment for developing future talent. The intention of WorldSSP 300 is to create a benchmark for National Championships to follow. We want to offer an environment that is regulated and relatively equal in which future talent can grow, and where manufacturers can accompany young riders as they take their first steps towards stardom.”
The class will be based around the machines sold in Europe as A2 class machines and excluding the A1 class machines. The Superbike Commission has the right to decide which machines will be eligible in the class.
For 2017 the following motorcycles will be legal (this list can be amended at any time by the Superbike Commission):
1. Honda CBR500R
2. Kawasaki Ninja 300
3. Yamaha YZF-R3
4. KTM RC390
Javier Alonso, WorldSBK Executive Director said,
“The focus is to have an affordable Series for these young competitors.There has been great interest for low-capacity motorcycles in this sport and the new WorldSSP 300 class strives to offer that. It will be promoted by Manufacturers as an easily accessible championship, the best possible platform to grow future stars where Manufacturers can accompany riders from an early age and as they progress through their career.”
Introducing a 300cc class in WSBK is a great move by all means. As production motorcycles, these are considered the best beginner sportbikes around the world and so it is indeed a positive move to make them the beginner class in WSBK as well.
Also, WSBK is considered second only to MotoGP which is the pinnacle of motorcycle racing. Another possible reason to introduce the 300cc class is the fact that most manufacturers are now moving away from the 600cc Supersports. We, at xBhp, believe that budding racers around the world have a better chance of establishing themselves as worthy racers through the Supersport 300 class.
