du in Superbike
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Superbike aces are like boxers before they step into the ring. Every Thursday, they will be carefully weighed to determine the amount of ballast they will need to adopt. The value will therefore not be fixed, but will vary each round depending on the weight of the drivers. An additional problem for the “lightweight” teams, notably the world champion’s Ducati Alvaro Bautista. Calculations and dynamic testing before the start of the world championship will not be enough, but ongoing work will need to be done to determine how to minimize the problem by moving the extra mass as close as possible to the vehicle's center of gravity. A hassle for engineers, an additional reason of interest for us, enthusiasts..
Here's how it works
The 2024 technical regulations have not yet been published by the International Federation. Last October it was announced that the combined weight and maximum engine speeds would be set by DWO (Dorna), the FIM (International Federation) and the MSMA (Manufacturers). However, a leak occurred: the ideal weight of 80 kilos was confirmed. We specify that this is the sum of the weight of the driver and his racing equipment: suit, helmet, boots, gloves, safety equipment. Ballast will be defined as 50% of the delta between 80 kilos and the actual weight.
Alvaro Bautista weighed 68 kilos in 2023, in racing gear. The difference is therefore 12 kilos, the ballast 6 kilos.
Bautista's weight gain
But it will be less, because Alvarito has indicated that he will reconsider his physical preparation in order to increase his muscle mass. Obviously such a small rider can't become a bodybuilder, but he could gain a few pounds. In this case, the ballast would be reduced to five kilos. This remains a huge load for a racing vehicle. This can affect handling, braking distances, tire wear.
Thursday weigh-in
As drivers may be subject to weight variations during the season, they will be checked on the Thursday preceding each of the twelve rounds. Boxers seek the lightest weight possible, to be within the limits of each specific category. The days before, they eat very little and make sure to pass the test with as little liquid as possible on them. We can imagine that lightweight pilots will do exactly the opposite of boxers, that is to say they will arrive on the scales as “heavy” as possible. The difference between the figure noted by the commissioners and the ideal 80 kilos will determine the quantity of ballast. It would be desirable for the FIM to communicate the results of the control each time, so that we have an exact idea. Remember that the weight limit of the Superbike remains unchanged: 168 kilos.
And the engine speed?
We will have to wait for the official table. The Ducati should, however, regain 500 laps by returning to the threshold of 16 rpm, the limit since the start of the 100 world championship. During the season, the Panigale V2023 R had suffered two drops of 4 rpm each, to go down to 250 in the final rounds. Without any noticeable impact on the performance of the drivers in red, in fact, starting with Bautista himself. The bonus of +15 laps was the consideration obtained in exchange for accepting the new rule on combined weight: the technical rules of Superbike are the result of constant negotiations between the manufacturers, the Federation and the promoters.
But the most important changes will be other
The discussion about combined weight excited drivers and fans, as did the rant about the engine speed allowed for each brand. The changes that could change the face of Superbike, however, are other. This is the drastic reduction in fuel consumption, brought about by the obligation to adopt 21 liter tanks instead of 24, but above all the possibility of radically modifying the weight of the crankshaft and flywheel : 20% more or less compared to the approval form. Such changes could have a much bigger impact than rider weight and rev limit.
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Paul Gozzi
