VOL. 51 ISSUE 25 JUNE 24, 2014 P27
frame dimension tolerances to
prevent modifications.
3. Engine tuning only above
the pistons, but replacement
connecting rods can be used - if
the same material and weight as
the originals - for safety. Replace-
ment camshafts, valve springs
and head porting is allowed.
Stock crankcases, pistons,
cranks, valves. One set of gear-
box ratios are allowed.
4. Balancing rules now only to
use engine intake restrictors, not
changes to minimum weight.
5. Each manufacturer can
use their own electronics, ECUs
and ride-by-wire systems, even if
their bikes do not have RBW as
standard. But they must all be
approved by FIM. There can be
three software updates through-
out the year, plus an operating
system teams can use from the
start.
6. There must be a Superbike
kit system for any other team who
use those bikes - for a fixed cost:
8000 Euros for an ECU, includ-
ing a maximum allowable number
of sensors.
7. If a ride-by-wire system is al-
lowed it can cost up to 2500 Eu-
ros, excluding wiring harnesses.
8. Replacement ride-by-wire
kits limited to the next two years,
by which time all manufacturers
should have their own ride-by-
wire systems as standard, which
will have to be used from then on.
9. Teams can use the existing
Superstock Kit ECU, as in the
2014 EVO regulations to encour-
age wild card participation.
10. Ride-by-wire kits must be
available to all teams in World
Superbike and other FIM Cham-
pionships.
Reaction to the new rules was
widespread but the 'C' word was
used extensively – compromise.
Gordon Ritchie
RED BULL
STRAIGHT
RHYTHM TO
AUTO CLUB
RACEWAY
Y
ou very likely saw the videos
last year. This year the Red
Bull Straight Rhythm will be an
event at Auto Club Raceway at
Fairplex in Pomona, California
on October 4 – the site of the
NHRA's year-end event.
An evolution of the sport of Su-
percross, the event will feature
an "unwound" track, where there
are no turns, just a half-mile-long
straight rhythm section.
The format will pit a field of
32 riders against each other in
a head-to-head best-of-three
bracket format. By isolating just
the whoops, triples, doubles, ta-
ble tops and step on/offs, riders
must focus exclusively on read-
ing the terrain directly in front of
them and correctly judging their
speed for precise distance and
control. A full rider list to follow,
but some of the world's top Su-
percross/Motocross riders are
expected to compete, according
to Red Bull. The 2013 proof-of-
concept featured riders James
PHOTOGRAPHY
BY
RED
BULL
CONTENT
POOL
The Stewart brothers, James (left) and Malcolm
(right) go at it on the Red Bull Straight Rhythm.
continued on next page
