FIM Women's Circuit Racing World Championship
| Category | Motorcycle racing |
|---|---|
| Region | International |
| Inaugural season | 2024 |
| Constructors | Yamaha |
| Tyre suppliers | Pirelli |
| Riders' champion | Ana Carrasco |
 Current season | |
The FIM Women's Circuit Racing World Championship (shortened as WorldWCR)[1] is a women-only racing series organized by the Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM) and Dorna, the company that also organizes MotoGP and the Superbike World Championship.[2]
Its creation was announced on 29 April 2023 during the 2023 Spanish motorcycle Grand Prix.[2] In October of that year the details of the championship were announced, predicting that it would begin in July 2024 with a total of 12 races in 6 dates coinciding with the European rounds of the Superbike World Championship. The championship was planned for a total of 22 permanent riders between the ages of 18 and 50, plus two additional invitations per race competing on identical Yamaha YZF R7 motorcycles and Pirelli tires.[3] Although initially a single make series, the intention is to have multiple manufacturers represented.[2]
Performance wise, the series falls between the Supersport 300 and Supersport series.[4]
The format consists of a qualifying session with Superpole lap and two races per venue.[5] On 4 June 2024, it was announced that all races would be streamed live and free-of-charge via the championship's YouTube channel.[6]
Background
[edit]The FIM set up the Commission for Women in Motorcycling (CFM) in 2006 with the aim of bringing more women into motorcycling withstand equal opportunities and treatment for all women involved in motorcycling.[7] In 2013 the CFM organised the first FIM Women’s Road Racing Training Camp at the Circuito de Albacete, Spain with BMW Motorrad supplying BMW S1000RR for the 24 participants.[8] In partnership with BMW further training camps were held at Brno Circuit, Czech Republic in 2014[9] and Losail International Circuit, Qatar in 2015.[10]
As part of the CFM programme, and with the support of Mamoru Moriwaki, an all-women's team was entered into the Suzuki 4 Hour Endurance Race in 2014 (riders Melissa Paris and Shelina Moreda)[11] and 2015 (Moreda and Avalon Biddle).[12]
In 2014 it was announced that in a new initiative in association with Dorna and FIM Europe, a Women's European Cup (WEC) would be run in conjunction with the European Junior Cup (EJC), that was run as support races for the European rounds of the World Superbike Championship. Female riders in the EJC would be awarded points for both the EJC and the WEC. The competition was open to females aged 14 - 23.[13] The upper age limit was raised to 24 in 2016.[14] With the Supersport 300 World Championship being introduced in 2017 as the introductory class of the Superbike championships, the EJC was redundant and dropped,[15] along with the WEC.[16]
The Women's European Cup was resurrected in 2020. Organised by EMG Eventi and Moto X Racing and sanctioned by FIM Europe and Federazione Motociclistica Italiana, the series used 300 cc motorcycles. It was run over 6 Italian venues as support races for the Campionato Italiano Velocità (Italian championship).[17] In 2023 the series was upgraded to a championship, the Supersport 300 Women’s European Championship,[18] with rounds Italy, Spain and the Czech Republic. Two feeder series were created,[19] The Italian Women’s Speed Championship[20] and the Women’s Cup entry-level trophy. Both the feeder series are run in Italy.[19]
With women's world championships already set up in motocross, enduro, and trials and feeder series in place, the FIM initiated the WorldWCR in 2023 in conjunction with Dorna.[1]
Regulations
[edit]Technical regulations
[edit]Identical 2023 Euro 5 specification 689cc liquid-cooled, inline 2-cylinder DOHC Yamaha YZF-R7 (2022 bike) motorcycles[21] are supplied to all competitors and are fitted with a Yamaha GYTR race kit.[5] Maintenance and set-up is carried out by Luca Montiron's JiR organisation although teams may make minor adjustments in set-up.[4]
Pirelli are the sole tyre supplier, the WorldWCR using the same Diablo tyre as used in other Superbike series. Dry tyres are 120/70-17 front and 180/60-17 rear tyres in SC1 compound,[22] and for wet races Diablo Rain tyres in SCR1 compound with a larger 200/60 rear.[23]
Fuel is supplied by Panta Racing Fuel, part of the Mol Group and lubricants by Motul.[22]
Sporting regulations
[edit]Each round will following the same format as WorldSSP with a Superpole qualifying session on Friday and 2 race, one on Saturday and the second on Sunday.[5] Each race has a minimum length of 40 km (25 mi) and a maximum of 70 km (43 mi).[24]
The grid for Race 1 is set by the Superpole qualifying session. For race 2, the first 9 grid positions are set by fastest laps in race 1 and the remaining positions by Superpole times.[25]
The grid consists of 24 permanent female riders.[26] At each round, the Federation of the host nation can nominate 2 "wildcard" entries, additionally Dorna can nominate "one event" entries.[27] The regulations allow a maximum of 30 riders. Competitors must be between the ages of 18 and 50.[2]
The entry fee is set at 25,000€, including the use of a Yamaha YZF R7, a GYTR Racing Kit, Pirelli tyres, fuel, oil, racing service and access to the Paddock Village.[28][29]
Race weekend
[edit]The format of the race weekend is:[5]
- Friday
- Free practice (25 minutes)
- Superpole (25 minutes)
- Sets the starting positions for Race 1
- Saturday
- Warm-up (10 minutes)
- Race 1
- Sunday
- Warm-up (10 minutes)
- Race 2
- Starting positions for the first 9 riders determined by their fastest laps in Race 1[25]
Scoring system
[edit]| Position | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Points | 25 | 20 | 16 | 13 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
Seasons
[edit]2024
[edit]A provisional entry list for the Women's Circuit Racing World Championship (WorldWCR) was released in February, with 24 participants selected from an initial 40-plus entries.[26]
A two-day test was held at the Cremona racing circuit, Lombardy, Italy, in May with Ana Carrasco topping the timesheets.[31]
On 3 June, María Herrera was announced as an entry to the championship.[32]
The initial schedule included Balaton Park Circuit, Hungary on 23–25 August,[33] but this was later dropped as track improvements would not be completed on time, with Circuito do Estoril, Portugal added on 11–13 October.[34] Scheduled rounds are:[35]
| Circuit | Date |
|---|---|
 Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli
|
14–16 June |
 Donington Park Circuit
|
12–14 July |
 Autodromo Internacional do Algarve
|
9–11 August |
| Cremona Circuit
|
20–22 September[a] |
| Circuito do Estoril
|
11–13 October |
 Circuito de Jerez
|
18–20 October |
- ^ Subject to homologation
The championship was won by Ana Carrasco.[36]
2025
[edit]On 11 October 2024 the provisional 2025 WorldWCR calendar was published.[37] The scheduled rounds are:[38]
| Circuit | Date |
|---|---|
 TT Circuit Assen
|
11–13 April |
| Cremona Circuit
|
2–4 May |
| Donington Park Circuit
|
11-13 July |
 Balaton Park Circuit
|
25–27 July[a] |
 Circuit de Nevers Magny-Cours
|
5–7 September |
| Circuito de Jerez
|
17–19 October[b] |
The Klint Forward Team announced they were to increase their participation in WorldWCR in 2025 by running two bikes and signed Roberta Ponziani to ride the second bike.[39]
References
[edit]- ^ a b "Inaugural FIM Women's Motorcycling World Championship set to kick off in 2024". 28 October 2023.
- ^ a b c d "Anuncien el naixement del Mundial de Motociclisme femení: data d'inici, curses, marques i nombre de pilots" [They announce the birth of the Women's Motorcycle World Cup: start date, races, brands and number of riders]. 3Cat (in Catalan). 29 April 2023. Retrieved 9 July 2024.
- ^ "Mundial Femenino 2024: calendario, formato, moto, precio..." [2024 Women's Motorcycle World Championship: calendar, format, bike, price and more]. Motociclismo (in Spanish). 30 October 2023. Retrieved 9 July 2024.
- ^ a b "Women's Circuit Racing World Championship 2024: A Historic Debut!". WorldSBK Store. 13 June 2024. Retrieved 12 July 2024.
- ^ a b c d "Everything about the FIM Women's Circuit Racing World Championship". NG Brakes. 8 March 2024. Retrieved 9 June 2024.
- ^ Kainz, Mathias (4 June 2024). "Neue Frauen-Motorrad-WM wird live auf YouTube übertragen" [New Women’s Motorcycle World Championship will be broadcast live on YouTube]. Nau (in German). Retrieved 4 June 2024.
- ^ "FIM's Commission For Women In Motorcycling Working "To Create Equal Opportunities And Treatment"". Roadracing World Magazine. 6 March 2007. Retrieved 19 June 2024.
- ^ "Girl Power: BMW Motorrad supports first ever FIM Women's RR Camp". www.press.bmwgroup.com. 10 October 2013. Retrieved 19 June 2024.
- ^ "BMW: History Made During FIM Women's Road Racing Training Camp At Brno". Roadracing World Magazine. 30 September 2014. Retrieved 19 June 2024.
- ^ "American Moreda Instructs At FIM Women's Road Racing Training Camp In Qatar". Roadracing World Magazine. 23 October 2015. Retrieved 19 June 2024.
- ^ Erwin, Katherine (3 August 2014). "Four Women, Four Hours". Cycle World. Retrieved 22 June 2024.
- ^ "Great Results at Suzuka 4 Hours Race for Synergy Force MORIWAKI Women's Team". Woman Motorcycle Enthusiast - MOTORESS. 9 August 2015. Retrieved 22 June 2024.
- ^ "FIM Europe 'Women's European Cup' to debut in 2015 as part of the Pata EJC". www.worldsbk.com. 28 November 2014. Retrieved 10 July 2024.
- ^ "Sporting rules for FIM Europe WIL Sport European Junior Cup powered by Honda – FIM European Women's Cup – 2016" (PDF). fim-europe.com. FIM Europe. 28 March 2016. Retrieved 10 July 2024.
- ^ "WIL Sport European Junior Cup, powered by Honda will celebrate 46th and final race at Jerez in October". europeanjuniorcup.com. Honda Motor Europe. 29 September 2016. Archived from the original on 2 October 2016. Retrieved 10 July 2024.
- ^ Gonzalez, Nacho (24 March 2017). "El Mundial de Supersport 300 recoge el testigo de la Women's European Cup" [The Supersport 300 World Championship takes over from the Women's European Cup]. Motociclismo (in Spanish). Retrieved 10 July 2024.
- ^ "FIM Europe presents the Women's European Cup". Fim Europe. 30 December 2019. Retrieved 10 July 2024.
- ^ "Supersport 300 Women's European Cup Agreement". Fim Europe. 25 May 2022. Retrieved 10 July 2024.
- ^ a b "A NEW 3-STEP LADDER FOR WOMEN IN MOTORCYCLE RACING - EMG EVENTI". EMG Eventi. Archived from the original on 4 March 2024. Retrieved 10 July 2024.
- ^ "New Motorcycle Road Racing Series for Women – The Women's Speed Championship". Woman Motorcycle Enthusiast - MOTORESS. 13 December 2022. Retrieved 10 July 2024.
- ^ "2024 WorldSBK, WorldSSP, WordSSP300 & WorldWCR World Championships Regulations" (PDF). FIM. 26 June 2024. p. 192. Retrieved 12 July 2024.
- ^ a b "Preview: WorldWCR launches inaugural season with first test at Cremona Circuit". www.worldsbk.com. 13 May 2024. Retrieved 10 July 2024.
- ^ "Standard Pirelli DIABLO Superbike tyres for the UK WorldSBK round". Pirelli. 8 July 2024. Retrieved 12 July 2024.
- ^ "2024 WorldSBK, WorldSSP, WordSSP300 & WorldWCR World Championships Regulations" (PDF). FIM. 26 June 2024. p. 31. Retrieved 12 July 2024.
- ^ a b Matias, Bernardo (16 January 2024). "WSSP, WSSP300, and WorldWCR debut unprecedented format to determine the starting grid for Race 2". Motorcycle Sports. Retrieved 16 June 2024.
- ^ a b "Inaugural FIM Women's Circuit Racing World Championship entry list revealed". www.fim-moto.com. 12 February 2024. Retrieved 12 February 2024.
- ^ "Glossary". www.worldsbk.com. Retrieved 10 July 2024.
- ^ "Inaugural FIM Women's Motorcycling World Championship set to kick off in 2024". www.worldsbk.com. 28 October 2023. Retrieved 28 October 2023.
- ^ "First details of 2024 FIM Women's Motorcycle World Championship are confirmed". crash.net. 28 October 2023. Retrieved 12 February 2024.
- ^ Swarts, David (15 June 2024). "WorldWCR: Race One Results From Misano". Roadracing World Magazine. Retrieved 16 June 2024.
- ^ FIM Women’s World Championship: Carrasco Tops Cremona Test roadracingworld.com, 17 May 2024. Retrieved 5 June 2024
- ^ "Herrera readies for inaugural WorldWCR campaign: "We'll make history together!"". www.worldsbk.com. 3 June 2024. Retrieved 3 June 2024.
- ^ "FIM Women's Circuit Racing World Championship 2024 calendar" (PDF). FIM. 17 January 2024. Retrieved 9 June 2024.
- ^ "Estoril to host penultimate round in 2024, Hungarian Round cancelled". WorldSBK.com. Dorna. 7 June 2024. Retrieved 7 June 2024.
- ^ "Inaugural FIM Women's Circuit Racing World Championship entry list revealed". www.worldsbk.com. 13 February 2024. Retrieved 9 June 2024.
- ^ "CARRASCO CROWNED: Spaniard claims title in dramatic final Jerez race". www.worldsbk.com. 20 October 2024. Retrieved 20 October 2024.
- ^ "2025 WorldSBK & WorldWCR calendar announced". www.fim-moto.com. 11 October 2024. Retrieved 13 October 2024.
- ^ "MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship/ FIM Supersport and Supersport 300 World Championships FIM Women's Circuit Racing World Championship 2025 provisional calendar" (PDF). FIM. 10 October 2024. Retrieved 13 October 2024.
- ^ "Roberta Ponziani ficha por el Forward Racing para el WorldWCR 2025" [Roberta Ponziani signs for Forward Racing for the 2025 WorldWCR]. super7moto (in European Spanish). 10 November 2024. Retrieved 10 November 2024.