As previously reported, an agreement was reached in mid-June to allow Ducati - and any other manufacturer - to race 1200cc twin-cylinders against the 1000cc four-cylinders from next season. However, the 1200s will have higher a minimum weight, air restrictors plus standard con rods and pistons (or kit pistons of same price) to balance their larger engine size.
The 1200s will initially weigh 6kg more than the 1000s and have 50mm air restrictors fitted - but both those values will be 'updated, if needed, during the championship by a system analysing the race points obtained'.
The exact details of that system - which will see weight varied first and air restrictor size only if the weight limit has reached a minimum or maximum - have now been revealed.
The first performance review will take place after three events and compare how the top two 1200cc machines have scored relative to the top two 1000c machines - and which type of bike is leading the world championship.
The full details are as follows:
"The minimum weight may be reduced twice by 3 kg to a maximum reduction of 6 kg, or increased once and by 3 kg maximum," read an FIM statement. "If this measure proves to be insufficient, then a second handicap will be applied: the size of the intake ports will be changed by means of air restrictors."
Minimum weight adjustments
"The minimum weights will be increased or decreased in steps of 3 kg according to the following procedure:
"1. By taking the race points of the riders of the best two 1000cc 4 cylinders and best two 1200cc 2 cylinders in each race an average will be calculated after every event, the 'event average'.
"If there is only one finisher from one of the configurations, the 'event average' will be calculated from the first rider of each configuration in each race.
