The 2008 World Endurance Championship for Dummies...

The “Superbike” class has been dropped for the 2008 season of the QMMF Endurance FIM World Championship, leaving us with Superstock and a new special endurance-only class, Formula WEC.

Formula WEC allows the typical “endurance” modifications of quick change wheels, as well as improvements to the braking and suspension systems. Bikes are build down to minimum weight limits and while engine tuning is quite limited, race-kit gearboxes can be used. Formula WEC bikes are specialist endurance racing machines with modifications designed to cut pitstop time to a minimum.

Superstock bikes are basically standard production machines with very limited engine, braking and suspension tuning; the equivalent of fitting a different silencer, a power commander and a different rear shock to your street bike. Superstock bikes must use the same type of quick-filler refuelling system as Formula WEC for safety reasons but still use standard wheel changing arrangements.

Formula WEC bikes will compete for the Endurance World Championship, while Superstock machines will compete for the Endurance World Cup. Open class machines will be able to race but will not score world championship or world cup points.

And just to confuse things, the FIM themselves sometimes refer to Formula WEC as Formula EWC...

Bolliger Kawasaki at Albacete, 2007

Here are the regulations in detail:

Formula WEC

Motorcycles

Motorcycles must be as homologated by the FIM (see the Bikes page).

4 Cylinders, Over 600cc to 1000cc, 4-stroke, minimum weight of 170kg

3 Cylinders, Over 750cc to 1000cc, 4-stroke, minimum weight of 170kg

2 Cylinders, Over 850cc to 1200cc, 4-stroke, minimum weight of 175kg.

Minimum weights are reduced by 5kg for races not requiring lights... but there aren't any of those races in the current calendar.

Engine:

Homologated cylinder heads must be used.

Porting is allowed but valves, seats and guides must be as homologated.

No modifications are allowed to injection and throttle bodies.

Variable inlet tracts can only be used if homologated.

Camshafts can be changed, but cam drive must be as homologated.

Crankshafts cannot be polished or lightened.

Conrods, pistons, rings, cylinders and crankcases must be as homologated.

Engine side covers can be changed, and must be protected by a second cover.

Gearbox internals can be changed, and quickshifters are allowed.

Clutches can be changed but must be of original type (ie, wet / dry / cable operated, etc.)

A working electric starter must be fitted.

Exhaust systems can be changed, but the number of silencers must be as homologated.

The airbox must be as homologated.

Air intake restrictions may be imposed during the season to rectify possible performance discrepancies.

The radiator can be changed, and additional radiators or oil coolers fitted.

The wiring harness can be changed.

A battery must be fitted.

Fuel:

“Normal” unleaded fuel (max lead content 0.005g/l, max RON of 90) must be used. The Le Mans circuit insist on their own expensive fuel being used.

Frame:

Gussets or extra tubes can be added, but nothing can be removed.

Holes can be drilled in the frame only to attach “approved components”.

The size and position of suspension and steering bearing seats must be as homologated. No tinkering to change swinging arm position.

The steering angle can be changed using inserts in the steering head.

All frames must have frame numbers.

The sub frame can be changed, but must be made of the same material as the original.

Forks:

Must be of the same type (ie, telescopic, USD, telelever) as the homologated bike.

Yokes can be changed or modified, and steering dampers can be used.

Rear Suspension:

The swinging arm can be replaced, but must not be made of carbon fibre or Kevlar unless homologated.

A chain guard that prevents toes (or any other body part) getting caught between chain and rear sprocket must be fitted.

The homologated type of suspension system (monoshock, twin shock, etc.) must be used, but the linkage can be changed. The original mounting points must be used.

Wheels:

Carbon fibre or composite wheels aren't allowed unless homologated.

Bearings, spacers, etc, can be changed.

Wheels must be at least 16” in diameter.

Maximum rim widths are Front 4.00”, Rear 6.25”

Brakes:

Can be changed, but no non-ferrous materials can be used for discs.

Fairing / Bodywork:

Must be broadly similar to the homologated shape.

Holes can be cut for better air intakes or to allow stands, crash bungs etc. to be used.

Front mudguard must be fitted.

Fuel Tank:

Maximum capacity is 24 litres.

Carbon fibre, aramid or fibreglass fuel tanks are not allowed.

Tanks must be securely fitted to the bike; bayonet type fittings are not allowed.

No Limits Superstock Suzuki at Le Mans, 2007

Superstock

Motorcycles

Motorcycles must be as homologated by the FIM (see the Bikes page).

4 Cylinders, Over 600cc to 1000cc.

3 Cylinders, Over 750cc to 1000cc.

2 Cylinders, Over 850cc to 1200.

Minimum weights are based on the weights of the homologated motorcycles.

Bikes can be 9kg lighter than the homologated weight for races taking place partly at night.

Engine:

Virtually no modification or tuning is allowed.

Camshafts can be “degreed”, but everything else in the cylinder head must be standard.

Quickshifters can be used, but everything else in the gearbox must be standard.

The ignition ECU can be changed.

Exhaust systems can be changed, but the number of silencers must be as homologated.

Cycle Parts:

Frames and subframes must be standard.

Fork internals can be changed.

The rear suspension unit can be changed, but not the linkage.

A chain guard that prevents toes (or any other body part) getting caught between chain and rear sprocket must be fitted.

Wheels must be as homologated.

Brakes discs can be changed, but not callipers.

Footrests and handlebars can be changed.

Fairings must be as standard.

Seats can be modified but must keep the same appearance.

The wiring can be modified.

Fuel Tank:

Maximium capacity is 24 litres.

Carbon fibre, aramid or fibreglass fuel tanks are not allowed.

Tanks must be securely fitted to the bike; bayonet type fittings are not allowed.

Open Class BMW HP2 Sport at Le Mans, 2007

Rules For All Classes

Electrics:

Lights are only compulsory for races taking place partly at night. That's all of them this year.

Headlights can be replaced, but the shape of the original fairing opening must be followed, or copied using metallic stickers.

Bikes must have two independent lighting circuits. White or yellow at the front, red light at the back with an additional red reflector.

Identification lights can also be fitted to the side of the bike.

No flashing lights are allowed.

Number Plates:

WEC: White on black

STK: White on red

Open: White on green.

Luminous numbers must be used in races taking place partly at night.

Front numbers should be inclined at an angle of 30 degrees for that jaunty “endurance” look.

Refuelling:

Petrol tanks must use a 'quick fill' system with one or two openings.

The refuelling system can be portable or fixed to the wall (except at Le Mans, where it must be fixed).

Everyone involved in refuelling, including the person holding the fire extinguisher, must wear full fire retardant suits / gloves / head covering.

The rider must be off the bike during refuelling.

Yamaha Austria at Le Mans, 2007

Important: Please note that this isn't the rule book, it's simply my interpretation of the rules, set out so that it is a bit more readable than the official documents. If you're building a bike to race in the World Endurance Championship, I suggest you refer to the full set of documents found under “Rules and Codes” on the FIM website. If you're a journalist researching a feature on endurance racing, then contact me through the About page and I'll write it for you...

Finally, if you think I've got anything terribly wrong, please let me know via the message board.

Got some World Endurance news? send it to info@redleg.co.uk