Report: Dorna to Replace Superstock Classes with More Stock-Inspired WSBK and New 250cc Class

The coming World Superbike racing season may be the last to feature Superstock classes as series promoter Dorna tries to differentiate its WSBK and MotoGP properties.

According to Italian outlet Motosprint, Dorna plans to rewrite the World Superbike and Supersport class rulebooks for the 2014 season to make the race bikes closer to their respective production models. This would create further separation between WSBK and MotoGP, with Superbike racing moving closer to its production-based roots while prototypes racing in the GP series.

The move would also render the 1000cc and 600cc Superstock classes redundant, with little to separate them from the higher classes. In there place, Dorna would introduce a small-displacement class. Motosprint reports the new class would feature racebikes based on models like the Honda CBR250R and the Kawasaki Ninja 300, or possibly lower-spec versions of Moto3 bikes.

This new structure holds a number of benefits for Dorna. With just three classes instead of four, Dorna can better package the series to television broadcasters. A more production-based WSBK class would theoretically also be less expensive for race teams.

On the other hand, the move may weaken Superbike racing in an effort to boost up MotoGP, a fear that some in the WSBK paddock had when Dorna first gained control over both series.

[Source: Motosprint]

By Dennis Chung