Technical regulations

1996 FIM International Superbike Regulations

Summary

Motorcycles for Superbike correspond to motorcycles of current production, available to the public, which have been manufactured and sold for everyday road use. Motorcycles must be approved and homologated by the FIM for competition in FIM Superbike events. Manufacturers are required to produce a minimum number of a specific motorcycle in order for it to be homologated; a factory that produces more than 100,000 units per year must produce 500 for homologation, a factory producing at least 50,000 units per year must produce 250, and all other factories must produce 150. Only modifications specified within the approved homologation documents for each model are permitted. The lower fairing must be designed to accommodate at least half the capacity of the oil and engine coolant used in the motorcycle if the engine is damaged. Only brake discs made of iron are permitted. Number plate colours are white background with black numbers (RAL colour table values: 9005 black and 9010 white).

Engine capacities

601-750cc, four-stroke, 4-cylinder, minimum dry weight 162kg;
601-900cc, four-stroke, 3-cylinder, minimum dry weight 162kg;
751-1000cc, four-stroke, 2-cylinder, minimum dry weight 162kg.

Homologated machines

Bimota SB7; Bimota Tesi 1D; Ducati 888; Ducati 916; Honda RC30; Honda RC45; Kawasaki ZX-7RR; Kawasaki ZXR750; Suzuki GSX-R750; Yamaha OW01; Yamaha TRX850; Yamaha YZF750;

Championship rules

Race format

2 races of at least 50km distance, considered as separate races for the purpose of awarding points and prizes. Riders who fail to finish the first race may start the second race. The starting grid for both races will be based on official qualification times. If a race is stopped before 3 laps have been completed, it will be re-started over its full distance and the times from the first start will be discarded. If a race is stopped after 75% of its scheduled distance has been completed, it will not be re-started and a result will be declared. If a result is declared for a race which has completed less than 50% but more than 25% of the minimum distance, half-points will be awarded.

Points system

Riders Championship: 1st: 25; 2nd: 20; 3rd: 16; 4th: 13; 5th: 11; 6th: 10; 7th: 9; 8th: 8; 9th: 7; 10th: 6; 11th: 5; 12th: 4; 13th: 3; 14th: 2; 15th: 1.
Manufacturers Championship: Points awarded to all top-15 finishers for each manufacturer, according to the same system as the Riders Championship. The 1996-05-19 Nürburgring event was not organised by Moto Motion and was not counted towards the Manufacturers Championship.