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GSE Racing left dissapointed by rule change |
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Wednesday, 21 May 2008 |
GSE Racing has expressed their deep disappointment, and frustration, after the
sudden announcement by the MSVR/MCRCB to alter the technical regulations to the
Superbike class in this year’s British Superbike Championship.
The rule change which increases the minimum weight of the twin cylinder
Superbike by 10kg to 175kg has in the opinion of GSE Racing been made without
any supporting performance related reason or prior consultation with the team,
which in their opinion is another clear demonstration of the lack of
communication between the race organisers and teams.
Team Principal
Darrell Healey said: “I am absolutely astounded that the changes have been
introduced after only three race meetings and four days before the next event at
Donington Park. We, as a team, have spent tens of thousands of pounds testing
and developing the 1098R based on what we thought were fixed regulations, but it
is now clear that under Article A5 MSVR/MCRCB can clearly change the rules as
and when they please! This is not a situation that either the team or I are
comfortable with, and whilst little can be done for this year, I would certainly
require absolute clarity on a fixed set of technical rules if we were to compete
in any future British Superbike Championships.”
“The bottom line is that
we do not have the most competitive race bike performance wise, and that is
clear for everybody to see, but both of our riders have been consistent over the
first six races and that is why Shane leads the championship. Similarly, had our
competitors achieved consistent race finishes, our lead would most probably be
less than 5 points, which begs the question as to whether the organisers would
have reached the same conclusion!"
“However, the real joke here is that
last October, we, on behalf of Ducati, requested the use of non-production
pistons on safety grounds to use in this years BSB Championship, and that
request was completely thrown out by ALL the teams racing four cylinder
motorcycles. Now, just over six months later, those same teams are demanding
rule changes to allow non-standard engine parts to be fitted on safety grounds!
I would suggest that their time would be better spent concentrating on producing
fast, but reliable race bikes, rather than constantly whingeing to the race
organisers to vary the technical rules.”
GSE Racing are currently in
discussions with Ducati to ascertain whether it is possible to introduce the
extra weight safely to the 1098R, however with WSBK rules requiring only a
maximum penalty of 5kg, (subject to the pre-agreed point penalty system) this
additional 10kg scenario is completely untested and as such it is unlikely that
a safe solution will be found prior to the next meeting at Donington Park this
weekend, in which case GSE Racing would have no alternative but to withdraw from
the event on safety grounds.
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