Record numbers for WSB launch
Added on Thursday, January 22nd, 2009 by Carole Nash Editor | No Comments
Record numbers for WSB launch
World Superbikes riders will get their first chance to try out the new “knock-out” Superpole qualification system on Friday at Portimao in the penultimate testing session before the new season.
This weekend’s three-day test marks the official launch of the 2009 World Superbikes season and the first opportunity to for riders to experience the new qualifying system which does away with the much maligned Superpole system in favour of an F1-style knock-out process.
After the morning session on each of the three days, the 20 fastest riders will take to the circuit in the afternoon session. After the first twelve minute session, the slowest four riders will be eliminated before the next eight slowest are removed from the reckoning in the following twelve minute session. The top eight will go forward to compete for pole position.
The test is also being used as the official launch of the 2009 World Superbikes Championship, with the participation of Paul Bird’s Kawasaki Superbike Racing Team meaning that all seven manufacturers - a record in WSB - will be present with 15 factory riders.
Max Biaggi and Shinya Nakano (Aprilia), Troy Corser and Ruben Xaus (BMW), Noriyuki Haga and Michel Fabrizio (Ducati), Carlos Checa, Jonathon Rea and Ryuichi Kiyonari (Ten Kate Honda), Makoto Tamada and Broc Parkes (Kawasaki), Max Neukirchner and Yukio Kagayama (Suzuki) and Ben Spies and Tom Sykes (Yamaha) make up the factory rider line-up.
The 15 factory riders will be joined in Portugal by the remaining 17 entries on the WSB grid, including former British Superbike riders Shane Byrne and Leon Haslam.
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