World Superbike cost caps to be reduced

The regulation changes, which are still the subject of discussion between rights holders Dorna and the MSMA, could also see manufacturers supply a minimum of six bikes which would be identical to their factory or factory-supported bikes at a cost of €300,000 at the start of the 2014 season, dropping to €250,000 (£213,000) for 2015 and then €200,000 (£170,000) in 2016.

This price cap does include spares but not crash damage or suspension, wheels and brakes which will also be subject to an upper price limit. The proposed combined limit for front and rear suspension is €16,500 (£14,000) and there will no longer be an option for teams to lease megabucks suspension and brakes from the likes of Ohlins and Brembo.

In terms of engines, the limit of eight per season does not include units used for testing, so manufacturers and teams will be free to use as many as they like in evaluation environments meaning using racing as a form of research and development will remain - a clause important to the likes of Honda.

The number of rounds in the 2014 calendar is also likely to be capped to 16 or under to keep the cost of logistics down - but the championship may turn away from cash-strapped Europe and look at economically more viable markets such as Malaysia and China.

The proposals, which were published on the FIM website but have subsequently disappeared, were still being discussed at the Portimao round and there is no schedule yet for when they will be cast in stone and published in full. There was also no mention of electronics in the draft proposals.

Read the original article on bikesportnews.com