Bike Street Racing
Future Instructions – Half One
Scott Good was born right into a household of motorcycling royalty and went on to attain some success in street racing himself whereas additionally acquiring a level in physics. Ultimately, by way of just a few different diversions, that led to Scott being appointed Technical Director of World Superbike in 2014, and Scott can be the creator of the Subsequent Technology Supersport class that debuted within the 2022 World Supersport season.
The class format was initially debuted in 2021 by BSB, adopted by WSS, Moto America after which the Italian Championship in 2022. It’s now the predominant Supersport guidelines bundle in lots of competitions world wide.
Not too long ago, ASBK additionally introduced their first child progress steps in the direction of taking Australian Supersport down the identical Subsequent Gen course.
Nowadays, Scott is the Director of Know-how for Dorna, engaged on Dorna’s imaginative and prescient of future rules and the BSB Technical Director. He works very intently with a number of Championships, similar to MotoAmerica, IDM and CIV.
I’ve had fairly just a few chats with the 49-year-old in recent times, primarily over dinner or lunch at my place when he’s visiting Australia, however I had by no means received round to an precise sit-down interview-style dialog that I might relate to our readers. Not too long ago, we determined to repair that state of affairs…
Trev – Would you describe your child, Subsequent Technology Supersport [NG], as a hit?
Scott Good – “I feel that must be a sure, each by way of suggestions and by way of groups signing as much as race in NG. We now have Supersport fields of over 50 bikes in BSB, and excessive 40s in MotoAmerica, and it’s the identical story in every single place.
“There are all kinds of bikes that may be raced. Hopefully, a model interesting to everybody’s passions. We handle issues to maintain the stability right so there isn’t any one dominant machine, so decide any of them to race!
“As you’ve got clearly seen in previous, particularly in any Superstock primarily based lessons, there has typically solely been one model to be on. Therefore the identify, the Subsequent Technology, though I’m not a Star Trek fan per se.”
Trev – Do you assume it has decreased prices at WorldSSP and BSB Supersport competitors? Or was this not a principal consideration within the gestation of the format, and the transfer to incorporate extra producers was the first aim behind the design?
Scott – “It has undoubtedly led to a price discount in each bike construct AND direct bike primarily based operating prices.
“The modifications I had made earlier than this in WSBK had been very a lot geared toward price management and that was a major consideration in NG.
“In Superbike, it was achieved by eradicating engine and electronics growth from small groups, permitting them to get a duplicate of the manufacturing facility tools. Additionally they then have extra centralised help for electronics and so forth, lowering workers numbers, which is a big price saving.
“In NG, together with many extra producers additionally creates a place the place there’s extra potential help – extra producers, extra seller groups, extra importers, extra advertising budgets.
“Triumph and MV Agusta labored arduous with me, as they didn’t even have bikes in manufacturing anymore that fitted the outdated rules, and we knew that different producers could be in the identical place in just a few years – even when these producers did initially struggle it, however now are additionally NG. If KTM hadn’t glitched, we might have one other producer already within the subject this season.
“The preliminary stability degree we aimed for was all the time ‘good R6’ as in the course of the crossover seasons, we didn’t need ‘standard’ Supersport groups needing to reinvest massively.
“We will break it down later, however the fee to construct the bike is lower than Supersport – with mounted engine kits (the place wanted) developed by the producer and managed prices on suspension, brakes, and electronics programs.
“The important thing level missed by everyone seems to be the whole price. The equipment price is just a small half – gas/tyres/transport/logistics/accommodations/licenses kind a far greater price than the bike, particularly contemplating that it could actually then be amortised throughout just a few seasons.
“This price differential will increase as you progress up the classes, regardless that the bikes get dearer. A WSBK group can have equipment at round 15 per cent of annual price, however for a nationwide Supersport group, it is going to be greater if thought of on a single-year foundation. The price throughout just a few seasons of racing is the place the equipment prices are massively decreased.
“The engines have been extremely dependable and do large mileage between refreshes with no growth prices. Even an ordinary Yamaha R6 wants a refresh once in a while – you need to go and value a set of valves, valve springs, rings, shells and so forth, plus the construct…. In lots of instances the bottom bike is now cheaper than the bikes of the previous.
“Now, you’ll be able to think about using and settings somewhat than growth.
“Keep in mind, that is in comparison with Supersport bikes, ASBK races on the Superstock degree, which have much less engine work; nevertheless, observing within the ASBK paddock the WSBK degree shocks ($14K AUD) in some Australian Supersport bikes, together with carbon, and so forth, it’s attention-grabbing that individuals then discuss price considerations…. Subsequent Technology guidelines has value caps on Clamps/Hyperlinks/Fork Kits/Shocks/master-cylinders and positively no WSBK degree suspension elements that I see on the Australian Supersport grid now.”
Trev – How difficult has it been with the pushback by the varied manufacturers wanting extra torque again or different technical modifications to benefit their bikes? What did you discover was one of the best ways to handle that, not technically, however politically? Is that also underneath your remit or does another person have ultimate say over the efficiency balancing equations lately?
Scott – “The pushback was large – it’s the producer’s place to get any benefit that they will, and it was mine to maintain it degree.
“Dorna invested massively in software program and modelling to assist us make the primary setting and likewise to assist see the impact on lap-times as we alter the BOP limitations.
“The mannequin contains particulars as small as how the rider shifts and tyre strain. You may spend a LOT of time with it…
“I used to be now not with FIM from 2023, and the producers positively pushed to get extra (it’s arduous to say no), and it took till mid-season ’24 to get the stability again.
“BSB, MotoAmerica and a few different sequence have a subtly totally different BOP. We don’t enable some further elements on the Ducati that had been allowed after my departure, and now we’re additionally extra restrictive with another particular elements. The marginally decrease degree has allowed Honda to be extra comparatively aggressive.”
Keep tuned for Half Two of the interview shortly!
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