Superpole / Special Stage Defined – Suzuka 8H Optional...

The regulations for the 2009 FIM Endurance World Championship have been released by the FIM.

Changes this year include the new “Superpole” and / or “Special Stage” qualifying procedure for the top ten teams at each race and Suzuka becoming an optional event for permanent teams.

Sporting Regs:
www.fim.ch/EN/rules/Sportifs/ccr/2009/Endurance_sport_en.pdf

As far as we can work out, “Special Stage” refers to the Suzuka-only Attack and Jump-Up top-ten shoot out which gives two riders from each of the top ten teams the chance to each set a single fast lap. “Superpole”, which will be held at all the other events, only gives one rider from each of the top ten teams a crack at a single flying lap. Superpole will only take place if conditions are dry; in the case of a wet track, a 50 minute free practice session for all teams will replace Superpole.

Superpole has, we undestand, been brought in to provide something for the TV stations to broadcast on the day before the race. At the moment, it looks as the only event to be shown on Eurosport will be the Le Mans 24 Hour race...

Technical Regs:
www.fim.ch/EN/rules/Sportifs/ccr/2009/Endurance_tech_en.pdf

The Technical regulations now cater for the use of electronically adjusted front or rear suspension units if they are homologated for the standard motorcycle. All bikes must use subframes made of the same material as the standard machines, so no replacing weighty standard steel subframes with lightweight aluminium ones.

Expect the usual confusion and conflicts during scrutineering as each circuit implements the regulations in their own way...