2018 World Supersport 300 Championship hasn’t started in the best mood. After Yamaha’s complaints about the supremacy of Kawasaki and KTM at Motorland Aragon, Dorna and FIM have changed the minimum weight and rev limiter regulations before Assen Round, in order to restore the balance and make the manufacturer based in Iwata (and Honda) able to fight for the front positions. Here’s what changed.
| Motorcycle | Previous minimum weight | New minimum weight | Previous rpm limit | New rpm limit |
| Honda CBR500R | 156 kg | 143 kg | 9.500 rpm | 11.200 rpm |
| Yamaha YZF-R3 | 140 kg | 140 kg | 12.850 rpm | 13.100 rpm |
| Kawasaki Ninja 400 | 150 kg | 150 kg | 12.000 rpm | 10.850 rpm |
| KTM RC390R | 136 kg | 136 kg | 11.000 rpm | 10.450 rpm |
But the new regulation didn’t work as they hoped and once again the fight for the podium involved just Kawasaki and KTM riders, with the only exception represented by a wonderful, but unlucky Dani Valle (Yamaha MS Racing). Finally the victory went to KTM Freudenberg Luca Grünwald, followed by the Dutchmen Glenn van Straalen (KTM Fortron Racing) and Scott Deroue (Motoport Kawasaki). (Click here to read the full story and results)
Two hours later, the paddock was shocked by the following news: Dorna put the results of the race under investigation after six protests submitted by four teams, according to which someone breached the new rpm limit regulation. So, it looks like some riders took part in the race with the previous rev limiter settings, who had been harshly criticised after what happened at Aragon.
Here’s what Dorna says in a press release: “Race direction have decided to keep the results of the WorldSSP300 Dutch race pending up to the final decision. Considering that further technical investigation and data analysis are required to make a fair decision, the decision will be made officially by the race direction during the Italian Round. In order to collate the most accurate analysis, race direction will share all relevant data with the manufacturer of the rev limiter/quickshift unit that was provided to all teams.”
It means that the win taken by the ex-Moto3 World Championship and Superbike IDM rider Luca Grünwald is under investigation till the round taking place at Imola, as well as the whole Assen race results and the championship standings. Another smack against this category, born with the best purposes but already in big trouble…
Photo Credit: Luca Gorini