The first of the two days of testing that the WSBK set up on the Jerez track fell apart literally and figuratively. The re-entry of the category in 2021 therefore took place from the pit lane, due to persistent rain which left the track wet. Only Stefan Bradl and the Honda RC213V ventured out. Are the WSBK riders less courageous than the German who tests for Honda and who would be less afraid of getting injured? Nope. If the WSBK stayed dry, it's because of the regulations...
In fact, since the 22 December, there are new rules for testing starting riders in the Superbike World Championship. Provisions which force everyone to think carefully about the time they have to spend on a circuit. So, the days of testing under restrictions are over.
Now, between the season finale in Estoril last year and that of November 2021, only ten days tests are authorized. Plus two to Suzuka, if the drivers participate in the eight-hour race in Japan. The Estoril test on October 19, 2020 is excluded from this rule as it was an official test Dorna. The same goes for all other Dorna tests. Additionally, riders can ride as much as they want with a Superstock machine in a private setting, alone and without their team.
The reason for this regulation is explained by Dorna's executive director SBK Gregorio Lavilla on speedweek : " the majority of manufacturers want to prevent someone from testing for 12 or 14 days before the first race. And then another eight days during the season. Due to Covid-19, season starts later, with additional testing some teams would spend a lot more money ».
WSBK and the tests: an exemption in the event of rain?
Certainly, but they automatically waste it when they go to a site where, ultimately, they are prohibited from riding in view of the new regulations due to unfavorable weather conditions. Because as soon as a round is completed, the day is considered a test day. In the past, teams would have used such a day to give the driver the opportunity to practice in the rain. But now everyone wants to do their limited testing days in the best possible way and ideally on a dry track.
There are already voices that the regulations must be changed so that rainy days are not counted. While waiting for this reflection to take its course, we will recall that there remains six test days in Kawasaki, new to Ducati, eight to Honda as to BMW and Sept à Yamaha .
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