The IDM Superbike is the premier class of the International German Motorcycle Championship. This is where the battle between manufacturers and for prestige rages. Exactly four weeks before the season opener at the Lausitzring (May 6–8, 2022), 24 riders from six countries have entered the premier class. There are new faces on board, and there have also been changes in the technology.
The class features riders on BMW, Honda, Kawasaki, and Yamaha motorcycles. Their four-cylinder engines produce around 220 horsepower and reach top speeds of over 300 km/h. These are production motorcycles that have been modified for IDM competition. Although the class regulations are based on the international FIM Stocksport rules, they allow for some flexibility. In 2022, a few more modifications will be permitted than before. The changes affect the suspension (forks and rear shock linkage), certain engine components, and the electronics. Starting in 2022, alternative forks and triple clamps will be permitted, but only within a limited budget.
Starting in 2022, intake manifolds will be optional on the engine. Kit camshafts from the respective motorcycle manufacturer will also be permitted in the future, including the corresponding valve springs, washers, and shims. Additionally, minor modifications to the engine are allowed. These can add about 10 horsepower. For engine management, only the kit electronics from the respective manufacturer are permitted. Reprogramming the stock ECU (Engine Control Unit), known as “flashing,” is prohibited.
Thanks to lightweight components, race-ready superbikes weigh about 15 kilograms less than the standard road version. In the IDM Superbike series, riders use only slicks or rain tires supplied by the IDM’s official tire supplier, Pirelli. The Diablo Superbike uses the same tires as those in the Superbike World Championship. A new rule: Airbags are now mandatory in the premier class.
The IDM Superbike series is synonymous with top-class racing. There are plenty of potential contenders, with Markus Reiterberger and Florian Alt considered the top favorites for the title. But who will really be in the running to succeed Ilya Mikhalchik? In his first appearance in the Superbike World Championship, the Ukrainian demonstrated just how high the level of competition is in the IDM. He raced into the top ten in the very first World Championship race of his career!
IDM SBK (as of April 10, 2022):
#4 Ricardo Brink (NLD), RR Socia Racing Team NL, BMW M 1000 RR
#5 Jan Mohr (AUS), BCC-alpha-Van Zon-Racing Team, BMW M 1000 RR
#7 Kamil Krzemień (POL), BCC-alpha-Van Zon-Racing Team, BMW M 1000 RR
#11 Leon Langstädtler (GER), F73 Academy / Werk 2 Racing Team by MCA, BMW S 1000 RR
#17 Gabriel Noderer (GER), Kiefer Racing, BMW S 1000 RR
#19 Julian Puffe (GER), GERT56, BMW M 1000 RR
#25 Max Schmidt (GER), Hertrampf MO Yamaha Racing, Yamaha YZF-R1M
#27 Come Geenen (BEL), Vigenon Racing Team, BMW S 1000 RR
#28 Markus Reiterberger (GER), BCC-alpha-Van Zon-Racing Team, BMW M 1000 RR
#36 Marc Neumann (GER), Neumann Racing, BMW M 1000 RR
#37 Paul Fröde (GER), Holzhauer Racing Promotion, Honda CBR 1000 RR-R
#39 Sandro Wagner (GER), MotoLife, BMW M 1000 RR
#41 Philipp Steinmayr (AUS), Eder Racing, Yamaha YZF-R1M
#43 Luca Grünwald (GER), Holzhauer Racing Promotion, Honda CBR 1000 RR-R
#45 Jeroen Hilster (NED), RR Socia Racing Team NL, BMW M 1000 RR
#47 Rob Hartog (NLD), Team SWPN, Yamaha YZF-R1M
#55 Pepijn Bijsterbosch (NLD), BCC-alpha-Van Zon-Racing Team, BMW M 1000 RR
#56 Toni Finsterbusch (DEU), GERT56, BMW M 1000 RR
#65 Vladimir Leonov (RUS), Hertrampf MO Yamaha Racing, Yamaha YZF-R1M
#66 Florian Alt (GER), Wilbers-BMW-Racing, BMW M 1000 RR
#74 Daniel Rubin (GER), Rubin Racing Team, Yamaha YZF-R1M
#85 Björn Stuppi (GER), Kiefer Racing, BMW S 1000 RR
#91 Bastien Mackels (BEL), Kawasaki Weber Motos Racing, Kawasaki ZX-10RR
#92 Daniel Kartheininger (GER), Hertrampf MO Yamaha Racing, Yamaha YZF-R1M