The format was first implemented in the series back in 2009, but proved to be somehow of a redundant scheme considering the fact that the entire WSBK field was comprised of 21 riders. Under the circumstances, the first two qualifying sessions on Saturday were held only to eliminate one rider (or a couple of more, depending on the wild cards available for the event in question).
The regulations also state that the grid positions from 13 to 16 will be decided in the first part of the Superpole, while the ones from 9 to 12 in SP2. Finally, only 8 riders will get the chance to compete for pole position in the third and last Superpole session, just like it happened in 2010.
Additional changes to the regulations for the 2011 season include some new starting hours for the Friday practice sessions, as follows: the riders competing in the World Supersport series will begin action on the track in the morning, at 9.45 AM (rather than 2 PM, until now), while the Superbike field will take their bikes to first practice at 11.30 AM (rather than 12.45 PM, until now).
These are not the only changes brought to the schedule & format of the World Superbike series next year, as another set of modifications are to be announced in the next few weeks, probably in early January.
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