View source for Superbike World Championship

{| style="float:right"
|-
|{{Infobox sports league
|title=FIM Superbike World Championship
|current_season=2007 World Superbike season
|logo=WorldSBKlogo.gif
|pixels=200px
|teams= 6 manufacturers
|caption=The official World Superbike logo
|sport=[[Motorcycle sport]]
|founded=1988
|country=Worldwide
|champion={{flagicon|UK}}[[James Toseland]] (Rider)<br />[[Yamaha]] (Manufacturer)
}}
|-
|{{World SBK}}
|-
|
|}

'''Superbike World Championship''' (also known as SBK) is the premier worldwide [[Superbike racing]] Championship. the championship was founded in [[1988]]. The Superbike World Championship season consists of a series of rounds held on permanent racing facilities. Each round has 2 races and the results of each race are combined to determine two annual World Championships, one for [[List of Superbike World champions#Riders|riders]] and one for [[List of Superbike World champions#Manufacturers|manufacturers]]

[[Europe]] is Superbike World Championship's traditional centre and leading market. However, rounds are also held in [[Qatar]] and [[Australia]]. In [[2008]] the championship will also return to the [[United States]] for the first time since [[2004]], and in [[Indonesia]] for the first time since 1997

The championship is regulated by the [[Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme|FIM]] the governing body of motorcycle racing and managed and promoted by [[FGSport]].

==History==
[[Image:cf1.jpg|thumb|[[Carl Fogarty]] has won the Superbike World Chmpionship a record 4 times]]
The Superbike World Championship began in [[1988]], being open to modified versions of road bike models available to the public. For many years, the formula allowed for machines with 1000&nbsp;cc [[V-twin]] engines (principally [[Ducati]], but later [[Aprilia]] and [[Honda]]) to go up against the 750&nbsp;cc [[four-cylinder]] engines ([[Honda]], [[Yamaha]], [[Kawasaki]] and [[Suzuki]]). For the first few seasons [[Honda]] with the [[Honda VFR750R|RC30]] was winning but gradually the twins got the upper hand. Having 250[[cc]] advantage benefited [[Ducati]] and it was able to dominate the championship for many years. From 1993 to 1999 [[Carl Fogarty]] and [[Ducati]] dominated, Fogarty won the title a record 4 times and finished runner up 2 times

Realizing that they could not overcome the 250&nbsp;cc advantage, Honda introduced its own v-twin powered motorcycle the [[Honda RC51|VTR1000/RC51]] in [[2000]]. The result was clear right away as [[Colin Edwards]] won the championship in the bike's first year of competition. Ducati regained the title in [[2001]] with [[Troy Bayliss]].
[[Colin Edwards]] won the title back in [[2002]] in what is likely the most impressive comeback in the history of motorcycle racing. During these years the Superbike World Championship reached the zenith of its popularity, with full of factory support and global fan support.

===2003 - 1000&nbsp;cc engines===

''Main article'' [[2003 World Superbike season]]

In 2003 the FIM changed the rules to allow 1000&nbsp;cc machines (either twins, triples or four-cylinder) to race. The recent rule changes in [[MotoGP]] to allow [[4-stroke]] engines meant that the Japanese manufacturers had focused their resources there leaving the Superbike World Championship with limited factory involvement (only Ducati and Suzuki).

[[2003]] also saw the entry of [[Carl Fogarty]]’s Foggy [[Petronas]] FP1. The bike was developed under the previous regulations and was powered by a [[3 cylinder]] 900[[cc]] engine. As a result of most of the field being Ducati motorcycles the championship was given the derogatory title of "the Ducati Cup". The Factory Ducati Team entered the only 2 Ducati 999's in the field, taking 20 wins from 24 races in a season where all races were won by Ducati. [[Neil Hodgson]] won the title on a Factory Ducati.

===2004 - control tyres===

''Main article'' [[2004 World Superbike season]]

In an effort to create a more competitive field in [[2004]] organizers announced a series of changes to the championship. The most significant of the changes was that from [[2004]] the teams have had to run on [[Pirelli]] control tyres. The decision to award the control tyre to [[Pirelli]] was controversial. The [[Pirelli]] tyres were nowhere near the present standard of [[Dunlop Tyres|Dunlop]] and [[Michelin]] that most of the teams had been using. Dunlop looked to take legal action against the decision while Pirelli claimed that their Michelin and Dunlop were also asked if they would be interested in the one-make tyre rule contract.

Partly as a result of the control tyres, [[Motorcycle Sports Manufacturer Association|MSMA]] (Aprilia, Ducati, Honda, Kawasaki, Suzuki and Yamaha) announced that no MSMA teams would participate in the Superbike World Championship, later modifying their statement allowing Ducati to participate.

Though no factory bikes were entered a few privateers choose to run Japanese bikes in 2004. Ten Kate Honda with [[Chris Vermuelen]] as its rider, won races and actually contended for the title that eventually was won by [[James Toseland]] and Ducati.

===2005 - Japanese return===
[[Image:40043043 358ffaf4f9 o.jpg|thumb|[[James Toseland]] (1) on a [[Ducati]] leads [[Chris Walker (motorcycle racer)|Chris Walker]] (9) on a [[Kawasaki]] and [[Yukio Kagayama]] (71) on a [[Suzuki]] during a 2005 Superbike World Championship race]]
{{main|2005 World Superbike season}}
Following Ten Kate Honda's success Japanese motorcycles made a return in [[2005]] with major teams from all four Japanese manufacturers run through European importer’s teams. [[Troy Corser]] won the 2005 championship giving Suzuki its first World Superbike title.

===2006 - Bayliss back on superbikes===
[[Image:Troy Bayliss SBK 2006.jpg|thumb|left|[[Troy Bayliss]] returned to the Superbike World Championship in 2006 after 3 years in [[MotoGP]] and won the title.]]
{{main|2006 World Superbike season}}
[[2006]] saw the return of Australian [[Troy Bayliss]] in Superbike World Championship after 3 years in [[MotoGP]]. The combination of Bayliss and Ducati proved unstoppable and they dominated the season winning 12 races. Honda's [[James Toseland]] and Yamaha's [[Noriyuki Haga]] battled for second with the British rider coming on top. Defending champion [[Troy Corser]] on a Suzuki was 4th. The 2006 season gave the feeling that World Superbike was “back” following the years of decline in 2003 and 2004.

===2007 - Superbike return to glory===
[[Image:Max biaggi wk sbk assen 2007.jpg|thumb|[[Max Biaggi]] riding his Alstare Suzuki [[Suzuki GSX-R1000|GSX-R1000 K7]] at [[TT Circuit Assen|Assen]].]]
{{main|2007 World Superbike season}}
With [[MotoGP]] machines reduced in capacity from 990&nbsp;cc to a 800&nbsp;cc maximum displacement, 1000&nbsp;cc Superbikes, both at World Championship and top national championships ([[AMA Superbike]] and [[British Superbike]]) become the most powerful racing bikes being road raced in [[2007]]. While superbikes remain two or more seconds per lap slower than MotoGP bikes at most tracks they have equal or even more power.

[[Troy Bayliss]] defended his title riding once again a [[Ducati 999]]. Even though production of the 999 ended in [[2006]] and the bike was replaced by the [[Ducati 1098]], Ducati produced 150 limited edition 999s to satisfy [[homologation]] requirements. Bayliss main rivals in his title defense included former [[MotoGP]] rider [[Max Biaggi]] riding a Suzuki, 2004 champion [[James Toseland]] riding a Honda and [[Noriyuki Haga]] riding a Yamaha

The combination of some boring races in [[MotoGP]] and some thrilling races in SBK saw the championship's popularity increase even more.

The championship was wrapped up by [[James Toseland]] in the very last race of the season. His 415 points put him 2 points ahead of Haga with Biaggi following along with 397 points.

===2008 - 1200&nbsp;cc twins===
{{main|2008 World Superbike season}}
After introducing the [[Ducati 1098]] in [[2007]] powered by a 1098&nbsp;cc v-twin engine Ducati requested that Superbike rules be changed to allow v-twins of up to 1200&nbsp;cc compete against 1000&nbsp;cc four-cylinder bikes. Ducati argued that they no longer produced a road-going 1000&nbsp;cc V-twin superbike and that the level of tuning now needed to make their 999 competitive on the race track was too expensive. Ducati said they would quit if the rules were not changed, Alstare Suzuki team boss Francis Batta also said that his team would quit if the new rules gave Ducati an unfair advantage.

The FIM eventually included the 1200&nbsp;cc displacement limit for twins in the [[2008]] superbike rules. According to the new rules twin motorcycles will be 6&nbsp;kg heavier than four cylinders (168&nbsp;kg to 162&nbsp;kg) and will also have a 50&nbsp;mm air restrictor fitted. The weight limit and the intake-restrictor size of twin machines will be updated, if needed, during the Championship, by a system analysing the race points obtained.

The new rules also changed the minimum number of bikes required to acquire [[homologation]]. For 2008 and 2009, all manufacturers, regardless of total production numbers, must produce a minimum of 1000 bikes to acquire homologation. From 2010 onwards, the minimum production number will be increased to 3000 bikes. In the past, smaller manufacturers were allowed to build as few as 150 bikes to meet the homologation requirements. Manufacturers took advantage of this by producing 'homologation specials'--highly tuned versions of their road bikes with performance parts designed especially for racing.

==Riders==
''See also'' [[List of Superbike World Championship racers]]

Riders from all over the world compete in the Superbike World Championship. The championship is perhaps most closely followed in [[Italy]] because of [[Ducati]] and the [[United Kingdom]] where [[superbike racing]] has been the most popular form of [[motorcycle racing]]. Rider from [[Australia]] and the [[United States]] have traditionally been successful in the championship. For the last couple of years however no American riders have competed in the championship.

British rider [[Carl Fogarty]] is the most successful rider in the championship's history winning the championship 4 times and a total of 59 race wins.

Many riders such as [[Colin Edwards]] and [[Chris Vermeulen]] have used the Superbike World Championship as a stepping stone to entering [[MotoGP]], [[James Toseland]] will also move to MotoGP in 2008. Other riders such as [[Max Biaggi]] and [[Alex Barros]] came to SBK as an alternative when they were unable to secure MotoGP rides.

Except for the Frenchman [[Raymond Roche]], who won the championship in [[1990]], all other Superbike World Champions were [[English language|English]] native speakers.

==Superbike motorcycles==
Superbike racing motorcycles are derived from standard production models. In the past however manufacturers took advantage of loopholes in the rules to create "homologation specials", motorcycles with low production numbers made especially for racing.

motorcycles that raced in the Superbike World Championship include
* [[Ducati]]: [[Ducati 851|851]],[[Ducati 888|888]],[[Ducati 916|916]],[[Ducati 996|996]],[[Ducati 998|998]],[[Ducati 999|999]]
* [[Honda]]: [[Honda VFR750R|RC30]],[[Honda RVF750 RC45|RC45]],[[Honda RC51|RC51]],[[Honda CBR1000RR|CBR1000RR]]
* [[Yamaha]]: [[Yamaha FZR750|FZR750]],[[Yamaha YZF750|YZF750]],[[Yamaha YZF-R7|YZF-R7]],[[Yamaha YZF-R1|YZF-R1]]
* [[Kawasaki]]: [[Kawasaki ZXR750|ZXR750]],[[Kawasaki ZX-7R and 7RR|ZX-7RR]],[[Kawasaki ZX-10R|ZX-10R]]
* [[Suzuki]]: [[Suzuki GSX-R750|GSX-R750]],[[Suzuki GSX-R1000|GSX-R1000]]
* [[Bimota]]: [[Bimota YB4EI|YB4EI]],[[Bimota SB8R|SB8R]]
* [[Aprilia]]: [[Aprilia RSV Mille|RSV1000]]
* [[Petronas]]: [[Petronas FP1|FP1]]
* [[Benelli (motorcycles)|Benelli]]: [[Benelli Tornado Tre 900|Tornado Tre 900]]
* [[MV Agusta]]: [[MV Agusta F4 series|MV Agusta F4 1000]]

<gallery>
Image:Lorenzo Lanzi wk sbk assen 2007.jpg|[[Lorenzo Lanzi]] riding the [[Ducati 999|Ducati 999F07]]
Image:James toseland wk sbk assen 2007.jpg|[[James Toseland]] riding the [[Honda CBR1000RR]]
Image:Max biaggi wk sbk assen 2007.jpg|[[Max Biaggi]] riding the [[Suzuki GSX-R1000|Suzuki GSX-R1000 K7]]
Image:Noriyuki Haga wk sbk assen 2007.jpg|[[Noriyuki Haga]] riding the [[Yamaha YZF-R1]]
Image:Fonsi Nieto wk sbk assen 2007.jpg|[[Fonsi Nieto]] riding the [[Kawasaki ZX-10R]]
</gallery>

==Race weekend==
*'''Friday'''
**''1st free practice'' (60 minutes) and ''1st qualifying'' (60 minutes)
*'''Saturday'''
**''2nd qualifying'' (60 minutes) and ''2nd free practice'' (60 minutes)
:The times of 1st and 2nd qualifying are combined and the 16 fastest riders qualify for Superpole. The rest receive a grid position based on lap time, starting with 17th. To qualify for the race, riders must record a lap time no longer than 107% of the time recorded by the pole-position rider.
:*''Superpole''
:Riders go out one by one in reverse order of qualifying position; in Superpole, riders may use a qualifying tyre. If Superpole is declared wet, a 50-minute session takes place for all 16 riders to set timed laps; each rider may complete no more than 12 laps including in and out laps.
*'''Sunday'''
**''Warm-up'' (20 minutes) ''Race 1'' and ''Race 2''
:Race distance must be from a minimum of 90&nbsp;km to a maximum of 110&nbsp;km.

==Point system==
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size: 95%" border=1 cellpadding=3
|+ '''Points System'''
| '''Position'''
| width=20 bgcolor="#ffffbf"| 1
| width=20 bgcolor="#dfdfdf"| 2
| width=20 bgcolor="#ffdf9f"| 3
| width=20 bgcolor="#dfffdf"| 4
| width=20 bgcolor="#dfffdf"| 5
| width=20 bgcolor="#dfffdf"| 6
| width=20 bgcolor="#dfffdf"| 7
| width=20 bgcolor="#dfffdf"| 8
| width=20 bgcolor="#dfffdf"| 9
| width=20 bgcolor="#dfffdf"| 10
| width=20 bgcolor="#dfffdf"| 11
| width=20 bgcolor="#dfffdf"| 12
| width=20 bgcolor="#dfffdf"| 13
| width=20 bgcolor="#dfffdf"| 14
| width=20 bgcolor="#dfffdf"| 15
|-
| '''Points'''
| 25
| 20
| 16
| 13
| 11
| 10
| 9
| 8
| 7
| 6
| 5
| 4
| 3
| 2
| 1
|}
* For the Manufacturers' Championship, only the highest finishing motorcycle by a particular manufacturer is awarded the points for that position.

==Support classes==
===Supersport World Championship===
{{main|Supersport World Championship}}
Supersport World Championship has been a support class to the Superbike World Championship since [[1999]]

To be eligible for World Supersport,a motorcycle must have a four stroke engine of between 400 and 600[[cubic centimeter|cc]] for [[Straight-4|four cylinder]] machines, and between 600 and 750&nbsp;cc for [[V-twin|twins]] and must satisfy the FIM [[homologation]] requirements.
World Supersport regulations are much tighter than in World Superbikes. The chassis of a supersport machine must remain largely as standard, while engine tuning is possible but tightly regulated. As in world superbike a control tyre is used, although supersport regulations dictate that the tyres must be road legal and therefore slicks are not allowed.
A world supersport race takes place at every world superbike round.

===FIM Superstock 1000&nbsp;Cup===
The FIM Superstock 1000&nbsp;Cup is a support class to the Superbike World Championship at the European rounds.
Motorcycles with the same displacement as superbikes can run is superstock 1000 (though 1200&nbsp;cc twins were allowed for 2007). Superstock rules are much more restrictive and most components on the bike remain stock. The bikes run on Grooved Pirelli tyres.
The Superstock 1000 championship is open to riders up to 24 years of age.

===European Superstock 600 Championship===
The European Superstock 600 Championship is is a support class to the Superbike World Championship at the European rounds.
The championship uses 600&nbsp;cc production motorcycles and is reserved for riders between 15 and 20 years of age. Same rules as Superstock 1000 apply.

===GSX-R European Cup===
The GSX-R European Cup is a “one make” series running [[Suzuki GSX-R750]] motorcycles and supports the Superbike World Championship in 6 European rounds.
Riders that did not turn 23 before the [[January 1|1st of January]] with up to 3 years professional racing career can take part.
The cup is organized by Alstare and Suzuki and the cup winner gets a place at FIM Superstock 1000&nbsp;Cup or European Superstock 600 Championship with Alstare Suzuki

==Videogames==
'''[[PlayStation]] and [[Personal computer|PC]]'''
*Superbike 2000 ([[EA Sports]])

'''[[Personal computer|PC]]'''
*Superbike World Championship ([[EA Sports]])
*Superbike 2001 ([[EA Sports]])

'''[[PS2]] and [[PlayStation Portable|PSP]]'''
*[[SBK-07 - Superbike World Championship]] ([[Black Bean Games]])

'''[[Personal computer|PC]], [[PS2]], [[PS3]], [[PlayStation Portable|PSP]] and [[Xbox 360]]'''
*SBK-08 - Superbike World Championship ([[Black Bean Games]]) (announced)



==External links==
* [http://www.worldsbk.com worldsbk.com] World Superbike Championship official website
* [http://www.worldsbk.tv?WT.mc_id=wiki worldsbk.tv] World Superbike Championship official video website
* [http://www.fim.ch fim.ch] Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM), The governing body of motorcycle racing website
* [http://www.gruppofg.com gruppofg.com] FGSport, Superbike World Championship promoters website
* [http://www.use-photos.com/Superbike/] Superbike Photos (Creative Commons License)

{{World Superbike racing}}

[[Category:Superbike racing|{{PAGENAME}}]]