I've got a few rule changes I would like to see. My goal for these changes is to put more bikes on grids and align our technical rules a little closer with other clubs.
Rule 5.3. Lightweight Open class. This class is currently open to "up to 390cc single cylinder bikes and up to 325cc twin cylinder bikes". I would like to see this changed to "up to 400cc twin cylinder bikes". This would align our rules closer to the WMRC and WCCS Lightweight Supersport class, and put more bikes on the Lightweight Open grid. In simple terms this would allow a Kawi 400 on the Lightweight Open grid.
Rule 5.5 Lightweight Superbike class. This class is currently open to "2 cylinder motorcycles up to 699cc". I would like to see this changed to "2 cylinder motorcycles up to 500cc". This would again align us closer to the WMRC. The gap a 600cc+ bike makes over other lightweight smaller displacement bikes in this class is very obvious on the straight aways. Just looking at the race results from Stratotech to Rad Torque paints a clear picture that these larger displacement bikes gain a clear advantage and are better suited in another class.
Now since I don't want to see any bikes taken off grids and that is what my previous Lightweight Superbike rule chnage proposal would do; I would also like to add we create a "Super Twins" class, Single and 2 cylinder motorcycles 500cc-699cc. The base concept will see the Super Twins Class feature as a class within the Lightweight Superbike class battle, where they will started on the same grid, but be scored separately. At present, five bikes that are set to be eligible for this class are: Aprilia RS 660, Kawasaki Ninja 650, Suzuki SV 650, Yamaha R7, Yamaha FZ7. We have already seen these bikes racing on EMRA grids in numbers that would make this an EMRA 'Trophy class.'
Our Lightweight grids have grown. The lightweight Superbike race is now the second largest grid. In the past, larger displacement twin cylinder bikes were allowed on the grids to aid lightweight grid sizes. This is no longer needed. In that time bike manufacturers have revived the twin cylinder category. The R7 and RS660 for example. We have started racing at a new track that welcomes lightweight bikes and we have grown and become closer to our neighbours in the WMRC, a club full of lightweights and twins. Now seems to be a perfect time to tweak our lightweight/twins rules to allow more bikes, level our playing field and make it easier for riders from other clubs to fit in.
I also think we need to update the lightweight rules to fall in line with other clubs. With the growth of Lightweight over the last few years I think it's important to keep the class growing and competitive. This being said. I propose the following language changes with Lightweight Open and Lightweight Superbike.
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Lightweight open currently reads:
5.3 Sportbike Classes
Lightweight Open
- Open to all intermediate and expert racers
- Single-cylinder motorcycles up to 390cc
- Twin-cylinder motorcycles up to 325cc
- Motorcycles must comply with 5.2 Technical Specifications - Sportbike
Proposed Change
5.3 Sportbike Classes
Lightweight Sportbike
- Open to all intermediate and expert racers
- Single cylinder, 4-stroke motorcycles up to 390cc
- Twin-cylinder, 4-stroke motorcycles up to 400cc
- 2018 and newer Kawasaki 400 motorcycles are allowed under the following restrictions
- Stock air intake snorkel must remain in place and be unmodified. No other intake modifications are permitted
- Motorcycles must comply with 5.2 Technical Specifications - Sportbike
Lightweight Superbike currently reads:
5.5 Superbike Classes
Lightweight Superbike
- Open to all intermediate and expert racers
- 3 or more cylinder motorcycles up to 420cc
- 2-cylinder motorcycles up to 699cc
- Single-cylinder motorcycles of unlimited displacment
- Gridding will be determined by lap times (as recorded by the EMRA timing system). The fastest lap will be gridded first and so on.
- If there is no practice day, gridding will be by points collected in Lightweight Superbike throughout the year.
- Motorcycles must comply with 5.4 Technical Specifications - Superbike
Proposed Changes:
5.5 Superbike Classes
Lightweight Superbike
- Open to all intermediate and expert racers
- Twin and Single cylinder, 4-stroke motorcycles up to 500cc
- Three or more cylinder 4-stroke motorcycles up to 400cc
- Twin and Single cylinder 2-stroke motorcycles up to 250cc
- Gridding will be determined by lap times (as recorded by the EMRA timing system). The fastest lap will be gridded first and so on.
- If there is no practice day, gridding will be by points collected in Lightweight Superbike throughout the year.
- Motorcycles must comply with 5.4 Technical Specifications - Superbike
I think this will take into account the need for wording for the new ZX4R and ZX250R if we were ever to see them.
I also agree with Jon's post regarding Middleweight bikes. Separating them into their own grid / race class won't change the number of races the middleweight bikes are eligible for but will separate the points into the appropriate classes. I like Jon's idea for the new Middleweight class and I think it should be a waved start with the Lightweight Superbike class second.