Cost-cutting has finally hit the World Superbike Championship as organisers InFront have decided to bin Friday morning practice in an effort to save money.

And further cost-cutting proposals are due to be talked about in the near future which could include a further cut in practice times and a limit on engine numbers.

With a couple of permanent teams not able to find the funds to attend the first two fly-away races, and at least one other only rocking up with one rider, cost-cutting was bound to happen. Although it makes no difference in terms of track-time to the Superbike class, it only gives riders 45 minutes to discuss changes to the bike with their team, and for the technicians to make those alterations.
And if a rider bins it properly in the free practice session, the crew is going to have a tough job getting the bike back together. Not good for a rider if his second bike is on a different setup.
Canning Friday morning practice will save in the three main areas of fuel, tyres and potential crash damage because there will only be free practice on a Friday afternoon for Supersport and Superstock as of the Valencia round. Superbikes still get qualifying practice on Friday.

Qualifying will still take place on Saturday - presumably just one session for the support classes and the three-tier Superpole system for the big boys.

The new schedule is as follows:

08.30-10.00 Superstock Technical / sporting checks
10.00-12.00 Superbike & Supersport Technical / sporting checks
13.00-13.45 (45 mins) Superstock Free practice
14.00-15.00 (60 mins) Superbike Free practice
15.15-16.00 (45 mins) Supersport Free practice
16.15-17.15 (60 mins) Superbike Qualifying practice

The Superbike commission, which approved the changes and comprises InFront's Paolo Flammini, the FIM's Claude Danis and team representative Guilio Bardi, met at Phillip Island on Sunday.