WorldSBK has revealed its updated list of homologated machinery for the 2024 WorldSBK Championship with Honda successfully getting its latest CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP update through before the start of the season.
Each year the FIM reveals a list of motorcycles for the WorldSBK, WorldSSP and WorldSSP 300 that are permitted to race after being homologated and accepted by regulators.
The provides few big surprises other than the fact several older models - including one motorcycle no longer available for sale - can be entered into WorldSBK should a rider wish to.
New for 2024 is the updated Fireblade, which has already been homologated three different occasions since the latest generation model was first put into service in 2020.
It’s a measure of Honda’s commitment to getting the machine up to speed after a run of disappointing results since then, amounting to just four podiums and no wins. The last update to the SP model line arrived in 2022, just as Iker Lecuona and Xavi Vierge - who continue in 2024 - made their debuts with Team HRC.
Elsewhere, BMW, Yamaha, Kawasaki and Ducati persevere with the same machines they homologated in previous years. In addition, the discontinued 1000cc version of the Aprilia RSV4 has one-year remaining on its licence, while the 1100 version is available to race in SSTK 1100 series’ for those championships that use FIM framework for their domestic series’.
Suzuki is also still featured on the homologation list with its GSX-R1000R, a machine that hasn’t races full-time in WorldSBK since 2015.
There are more changes afoot in the WorldSSP Championship, where the new generation Honda CBR600RR has been homologated for use following its unveiling in November. It will be raced by the Petronas MIE Racing team in 2024.
There is also a homologation update for the MV Agusta F3 800, a machine that will be used by Motozoo AIR Racing, as well as the factory Reparto Corse outfit, 2024. In addition to that, there is also a homologation for the sister MV Agusta F3 800 Superveloce, a cafe racer version of the sportsbike, but to date no team has attempted to use it in racing conditions.
Interestingly, there is no update for the Kawasaki ZX-6R, despite the model undergoing a major update for its roadgoing model last year, while Suzuki is again listed with its US/JDM Suzuki GSX-R600 and Suzuki GSX-R750, the latter a model being used in the British Supersport Championship.
There is also no mention of QJMotor, despite it securing an entry for its new QJ SR 800RR sportsbike. Little is known about the entry beyond Raffaele de Rosa being assigned to race it, though the Italian has teased that testing is currently underway.
Meanwhile, there is also a new entry for the Yamaha R7 though WorldSBK stresses it is largely to give domestic championships that use the FIM homologation criteria the chance to assess its useability in the WorldSSP Championship as a twin-cylinder entry.
In the WorldSSP 300 class, the updated Yamaha R3 has been added to the homologation list, alongside a redeveloped Kove 321RR. The Chinese manufacturer made its WorldSSP 300 debut in 2023 and achieved top ten results after hiring former champion Marc Garcia midway through the season.
The Spaniard will get a full year with Kove this season to mount a title challenge.
