A proposed and highly-controversial minimum weight increase for Ducatis in British Superbikes is now official. The sport's governing body, the MCRCB, has announced that it is in immediate effect and that teams are in agreement after Airwaves Ducati held a successful test with extra fixed weight.

An MCRCB statement said: "GSE Racing have tested with increased fixed weight at Snetterton. At a subsequent meeting attended by GSE Racing's Darrell Healey and Colin Wright, Stuart Higgs from MSVR and MCRCB director Jonathan Palmer, this testing and the subject of equalisation mechanisms between twin and four cylinder machines for 2008 and 2009 were discussed.

"Following this, a board meeting was held by MCRCB today at which it was confirmed that the minimum weight for twin cylinder motor cycles will be 175kg for racing and qualifying, and four cylinder motorcycles will remain at 165kg with immediate effect. The weight tolerance will be increased from 1 to 2kg for both twin cylinder and four cylinder motorcycles."

Motorsport Vision boss Jonathan Palmer added: "When there is no definitive method to determine equivalence between two and four cylinder motor cycles the necessary differing regulations will always have the potential to create disagreement and controversy. I am pleased that GSE Racing have accepted the regulation amendment from MCRCB and look forward to even more competitive racing in BSB."

The full technical bulletin reads:

Following a meeting of the Directors of the MCRCB the following regulation amendment is announced for immediate application:

5.2.3.2 Minimum Weight

4 cylinder motorcycles over 750cc up to 1000cc - 165 kg.

2 cylinder motorcycles over 750cc up to 1200cc - 175 kg.

2 cylinder motorcycles over 750cc up to 1200cc conforming to MCRCB Superstock engine regulations competing within the Superbike Cup - 168 kg (no tolerance).

- The use of titanium in the construction of the front forks, the handlebars and the wheel spindles is forbidden. For wheel spindles, the use of light alloys is also forbidden.

- During the final inspection at the end of each race, the machines chosen will be weighed in the condition they finished the race.

- The established weight limit must be met in the condition the machine finished the race. Nothing can be added to the machine including water, oil, fuel or tyres.

- At the time of the event, the weight of the whole machine (including the tank) must be not less than the minimum weight (deleted: with a tolerance of 1kg), with a tolerance of 2kg.

During the practice and qualifying sessions riders may be asked to submit his motorcycle to a weight control in the pit lane. (This will be done in such a way to disturb the rider and team as little as possible, but in any case the rider and team must comply with these checks).

The change in the regulations by MCRCB is in accordance with Article A.5 of the MCRCB Sporting Code.