WSB line-up nears completion

The 2015 Superbike World Championship entry should consist of 26 bikes, with the new EBR set-up run by Larry Pegram and Troy Corser’s JR Racing BMW squad included in that total.

The 2014 /15 season winter testing ban has been reduced to nearly nothing compared to previous years and there is another modification to suit the new schedule of events in 2015.

Dorna and the teams have a deal to transport the bulk of their equipment to the long haul races outside Europe. With the Thai round coming one month after the season opener in Australia the teams have to leave their equipment in Thailand on the way back from Australia, to save on transport costs. This means teams cannot now test in Europe before the first round in Europe, as some did last year, as all their flight boxes and bikes will still be halfway around the globe.

Normally, regular team riders cannot ride with their relevant manufacturer’s separate ‘test teams’ but now they will be allowed to after Australia as their race bikes will be stranded in Thailand.

The 2015 rule book, in both technical and sporting aspects, is still not quite complete but should be after a final meeting of the Superbike commission in mid-December.

Team have until 1 December to register as regulars in the series, with their team line-up, and then pay their entry fees.

After the proposed 2014 WSB season of 14 rounds was first reduced to 13 and then a final 12, in 2015 any round that drops out – Russia is the most likely – will be replaced by another. Possibles for that first reserve position include Mugello, Valencia or Catalunya, with some other circuits also in the running.