For the 2010 season, minor changes have been made to the way the race weekend will be scheduled, with the most notable change being the adjustments to the Superpole qualifying event. Instead of three equally durationed 12 minutes sessions for the Superpole, as we saw in the 2009 season, the 2010 Superpole format will be comprised of three sessions of varying length. More after the jump.
The new Superpole format will see Superpole 1 held with a 14 minute session duration. Superpole 2 will be 12 minutes as before, but Superpole 3 has been cut short, down to just 10 minutes in duration. Additionally, there will now be a 25 minute break between the end of Free Practice 2 and the start of the Superpole event. This is an increase of time over the current 15 minute allotment found in the 2009 season.
The reduction in the session times seems to stem from practical considerations, as the number of racers on the track lessens with each passing Superpole session. However, this will mean crashing in Superpole 3 could end the hopes for a rider and team, as they’d have less time to get back out on the track with their back-up bike.
Also new to the format is the addition of a 4th timing point, which will allow for a closer and more accurate comparison of riders as they lap around the course.
Source: World SBK
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