Next year's World Endurance calendar has been released with no alterations to last year's schedule but the FIM has made some rule changes which see a Superpole qualification brought in.
The ten fastest teams will be put through Superpole qualification on the final day of practice but only in dry conditions. Interesting that Superpole is being dropped by World Superbikes and now picked up by World Endurance.
The maximum number of permanent teams admitted for 2009 will be 20, and the list will be published early January. The permanent teams commit themselves to take part in all rounds of the World Championship, except to the Suzuka Eight Hours whose participation in it will be facultative for cost reasons.
There is also a mandatory one hour minimum night practice for those races taking place in darkness.
World Endurance calendar:
18-19 April, Le Mans, France (24 hours)
31 May Oschersleben, Germany (8 hours)
4 July Albacete, Spain (8 hours)
26 Junly Suzuka, Japan (8 hours)
12-13 September Magny Cours, France (Bol d’Or 24 hours)
14 November Losail International Circuit, Qatar (8 hours)
