A year before its debut in the World Motorcycle Championship, a new class called “Sportbike” will be introduced in the International German Motorcycle Championship (IDM). It is set to receive official recognition. The format, which the FIM plans to launch in 2026 as part of the World Superbike events, will make its debut at all IDM events in 2025.
“We are taking this step because the Supersport 300 class is becoming less and less popular with teams and riders, not only internationally but also nationally. That’s why we’re giving a new project a chance,” says Normann Broy, Head of Motorsport at Motor Presse Stuttgart. “The new class is very interesting for motorcycle manufacturers, as the models used in the series have significantly greater market relevance than the SSP300 bikes. Additionally, with models such as the Yamaha YZF-R7, Kawasaki Ninja 650, Suzuki GSX-8R, Triumph Daytona 660, and Aprilia RS660, there is a larger pool of potential motorcycles,” says Broy.
At the same time, the Italian CIV Championship will be taking this step. The class has already been introduced in the British BSB Championship. The IDM is in contact with both national championships to share experiences. The technical regulations in the championships will be harmonized and aligned with the World Championship regulations. The goal for the national championships is to establish coordinated and uniform regulations.
In the Sportbike class, the engine specifications are standardized to a uniform power output of approximately 95 hp via a standard electronics package. The standard electronics package is already available for order at soloengineering.com. Riders must be at least 15 years old to compete in the class. The racing regulations will be based on the SSP300 rules.
The future of the Supersport 300 class has not yet been finalized. If there are enough participants, it will remain part of the IDM program.