This is where the manufacturers demonstrate the full potential of their series production technology and works riders define the incredible limits that these bikes can be taken to when they are tuned and ridden by experts.
Although (or even because) they are required to stick to specified tyres (Pirelli, three compounds plus rain tyres), this racing class remains virtually unsurpassed in terms of action, with exciting duels, numerous position changes, a broad starter field in every race, all the top brands, and all motorcycles performing at their highest technological level. Again in 2012, BMW Motorrad will face up to Honda, Kawasaki, Suzuki, Ducati and Aprilia.
The regulations guarantee maximum suspense right from the first qualifying session. After kicking off on the Friday morning with a free training session, the first timed qualifying practice is held in the afternoon. On the Saturday there are two more training sessions (one timed and one free), after which begins the three Superpole eliminator sessions that will determine the final grid positions.
In dry conditions, only the fastest 16 riders from the timed qualifying sessions are permitted to take part in the Superpole sessions, which last for 14, 12 and 10 minutes respectively. Clearly, it is essential to be as fast as you can right from the beginning.
After the 16 riders have completed Superpole 1, the fastest 12 then progress to Superpole 2, with the best eight from this round advancing to the all-important Superpole 3, in which the pole position and front two rows of the grid are decided. In wet conditions, the best 16 riders take part in a 20-minute Superpole 1 which is followed by another 20-minute Superpole 2 where the fastest eight riders battle for pole position and the remaining slots on the first two rows of the grid.
Whatever the weather though, all Superpole rounds offer maximum action and suspense. Then comes the Sunday, which comprises a warm-up session in the morning, followed by two races.
The most important rule change for 2012 will be the “One-Bike-Rule”. During each race weekend, there will be only one motorcycle per rider. Previously, each rider has had two ready-to-race bikes at their disposal meaning that in case of an accident a spare bike was available and different set-ups could be trialed easily. With the new “One-Bike-Rule” it will now be essential for each rider to conserve bike and parts and maybe even avoid risky maneuvres. The advantages of the new rule are the decreased costs for material and logistics.
BMW Motorrad is one of the founders of the Superbike racing category. It all began back in the early eighties when a few racing enthusiasts in the USA upgraded their large-engined R 90 S and R 100 bikes with racing parts to enable them to enter the high-capacity AMA (American Motorcycle Association) racing categories – and very successful they were, too! This marked the birth of the new Superbike class.
Ultimately, in 1988, the decision was taken to establish an official world championship competition. Today this class consists of 14 races, conducted over three continents. Many riders have contributed to the glory and the legend of this Superbike class with their incomparable riding styles. Such names as Franco Uncini, Doug Polen, Fred Merkel, Carl Fogarty, Colin Edwards, Troy Corser and Troy Bayliss are not just successful entrants in the top class of series production racing but see themselves on a par with the MotoGP prototype riders. Hardly surprising bearing in mind how the performance figures in serial engineering are rising to ever more dizzying heights: indeed, if there were ever to be a mixed race of Superbikes and MotoGP, we would be sure to see the best Superbike teams starting on the front rows
