WorldSBK: Decisions of the SBK Commission.

The Superbike Commission, composed of Messrs. Gregorio LAVILLA (Dorna, WorldSBK Executive Director), Franck VAYSSIÉ (FIM), Andrea DOSOLI (Yamaha), Paolo MARCHETTI (Kawasaki), Marco ZAMBENEDETTI (Ducati), Marc BONGERS (BMW), Brian GILLEN (MV Agusta), coordinated by Paul DUPARC (FIM), made the following decisions in various electronic meetings held in November and December 2021.

The following decisions will be applied for the 2022 season:

Re-starting a WorldSBK Superpole race that has been interrupted 
In case of a restart of a WorldSBK Superpole race, it was noted that 5 laps were too short and could push riders to be overaggressive, generating dangerous situations.
It was decided that the restarted Superpole race will be for a minimum of 8 laps.

Judges of fact 
A more precise definition of the judges of fact as well as the scope of their attributions was brought. This proposal was lacking in the FIM Disciplinary Regulations. As it was done in MotoGP™ (and as it will also be applied in Endurance), it was necessary to bring the same precision in the Disciplinary Code in WorldSBK. No appeal may be lodged against a decision of the Judges of Facts on matters within their competence.

Notification of decisions 
It was confirmed that information on protests and appeals, plus decisions of the FIM WorldSBK Stewards Panel taken during track activities, (practice and races), may be communicated on time keeping monitors as well as on official notice boards. Such communications on public screens are considered valid notification.

Medical Fitness to Race 
The Commission approved various new regulations concerning the medical assessment conducted to permit return to competition. Appropriate decisions regarding fitness to compete should be made in consultation with the Medical Director, FIM WorldSBK Medical Director, FIM Medical Officer, FIM Medical Director and/or FIM Medical Representative and must be supported by relevant medical reports and information from the rider’s doctors.

Helmet analysis after a crash or a head injury 
The helmets of all riders taken to the medical centre for assessment following a crash must be retained by the medical personnel or Chief Medical Director for control by the Technical Director or Technical Stewards before being returned to the rider or the team manager.
In cases of head injury including concussion or loss of consciousness, unless a specific provision of a national law advises otherwise, the helmet must be forwarded to the FIM Laboratory at the University of Zaragoza for expert examination and non-destructive analysis.
The helmet manufacturer will be notified of the exact tests and has the right to approve or refuse. They will be able to attend the analysis carried out in this laboratory. After inspection, the helmet can be returned to the rider, team, or manufacturer.

Further electronic meetings will take place for finalising the 2022 Technical and Homologation Regulations. These meetings will be subject to Press Releases.

A regularly updated version of the FIM SBK Regulations which contains the detailed text of the regulation changes may be viewed shortly on the FIM website.