MCE British Superbike bosses have given the Millsport Ducati team dispensation to use homologated pistons from the Panigale Superleggera R model this season in order to balance up the power difference between V-twins and inline fours.

But the rev limit of the big twin has been cut to 250rpm over standard where the inline four limit remains at 750rpm over stock. Other manufacturers have their own dispensations including Yamaha’s carbon airbox and Honda’s airbleed engine braking system.

“Balancing the performance of twin and four cylinder machines in all Superbike championships has always been a major challenge and not something that can be simply calculated. However the ability to enrichen the spectacle of Superbike racing by having good performance parity between two and four cylinder machines is clearly important,” said series director Stuart Higgs.

“After two years of experience and data analysis, MCRCB has concluded that twin cylinder machines should be permitted a small performance increasing mechanism. In order to evaluate this, for the recent official tests at Donington Park and Snetterton, MCE BSB organisers MSVR authorised the use of a defined, readily available alternative production specification piston from the Ducati 1199 Superbike range, whilst at the same time reducing the rev limit to 500rpm over standard from the theoretical 750rpm.

“A machine so modified performed more competitively and MSVR has now recommended to series governing body the MCRCB an extension of this dispensation for initially the first three championship events.”