Racing

Time Comparison: AMA Superbike vs. World Superbike

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With AMA Superbike and World Superbike sharing the same venue, with the same course, for the first time since 2004, the comparison was bound to be made between the two classes this Memorial Day weekend. The last time the two series shared the same circuit was at Laguna Seca, and not at Miller Motorsports Park as you would think. This is because the has AMA typically ran the Full Course here at MMP, while World Superbike ran the shorter the Outer Course.

With both series running the Outer Course this year, our analysis can finally be updated. While there are obvious differences between the regulations governing both series and classes, not to mention a fundamental difference in funding and dare I say it, rider talent, the comparison is still interesting to make between the two Championships. Check out after the jump how the two compared during Saturday’s Qualifying Practice sessions.

The American riders have the home field advantage at Miller Motorsports Park, but the WSBK riders come with team budgets that in some cases at 10x more than those found in the AMA paddock. World Superbike also has the added feature of selecting riders from across the globe, with ratio to potential riders to actual seats being far greater.

Still despite these differences, it’s worthy to note that several AMA Superbike riders would be competitive at World Superbike’s sole-American stop. We’ll let you to ponder the what-ifs in the comments section. AMA riders have been highlighted in grey to make the comparison easier below.

Pos No. Rider Bike Time
1 7 Carlos Checa Ducati 1098R 1’48.260
2 2 Leon Camier Aprilia RSV4 Factory 1’49.055
3 1 Max Biaggi Aprilia RSV4 Factory 1’49.306
4 66 Tom Sykes Kawasaki ZX-10R 1’49.432
5 11 Troy Corser BMW S1000 RR 1’49.552
6 4 Johnny Rea Honda CBR1000RR 1’49.621
7 96 Jakub Smrz Ducati 1098R 1’49.683
8 58 Eugene Laverty Yamaha YZF R1 1’49.708
9 84 Michel Fabrizio Suzuki GSX-R1000 1’49.855
10 86 Ayrton Badovini BMW S1000 RR 1’49.881
11 41 Noriyuki Haga Aprilia RSV4 Factory 1’49.938
12 33 Marco Melandri Yamaha YZF R1 1’50.136
13 50 Sylvain Guintoli Ducati 1098R 1’50.140
14 111 Ruben Xaus Honda CBR1000RR 1’50.149
15 12 Joshua Waters Suzuki GSX-R1000 1’50.153
16 91 Leon Haslam BMW S1000 RR 1’50.159
17 17 Joan Lascorz Kawasaki ZX-10R 1’50.195
18 52 James Toseland BMW S1000 RR 1’50.306
19 1 Josh Hayes Yamaha R1 1’50.401
20 79 Blake Young Suzuki GSX-R1000 1’50.551
21 8 Mark Aitchison Kawasaki ZX-10R 1’50.646
22 22 Tommy Hayden Suzuki GSX-R1000 1’50.664
23 121 Maxime Berger Ducati 1098R 1’50.717
24 54 Roger Hayden Suzuki GSX-R1000 1’51.196
25 72 Larry Pegram BMW S1000RR 1’51.382
26 36 Martin Cardenas Suzuki GSX-R1000 1’51.408
27 44 Roberto Rolfo Kawasaki ZX-10R 1’51.586
28 10 JD Beach Kawasaki ZX-10 1’51.746
29 8 Chris Peris BMW S1000RR 1’51.768
30 99 Geoff May Buell 1125R 1’51.963
31 25 David Anthony Suzuki GSX-R1000 1’52.138
32 2 Chris Clark Yamaha R1 1’52.196
33 15 Steve Rapp BMW S1000RR 1’52.275
34 23 Ben Bostrom Suzuki GSX-R1000 1’52.550
35 57 Jeremy Toye BMW S1000RR 1’52.553
36 62 Chris Trounson BMW S1000RR 1’53.994
37 68 Tony Kasper BMW S1000RR 1’54.713
38 33 Jordan Burgess Suzuki GSX-R1000 1’55.149
39 42 Chris Siebenhaar Suzuki GSX-R1000 1’55.504
40 12 Trent Gibson Suzuki GSX-R1000 1’57.494
41 988 Wesley Kane Suzuki GSX-R1000 1’57.731
42 9 Eric Haugo Suzuki GSX-R1000 1’58.267
43 28 Kevin Boisvert Suzuki GSX-R1000 1’58.496
44 63 Skip Salenius Yamaha R1 2’00.988

Source: AMA Pro Racing & WorldSBK; Photo: © 2011 Scott Jones Photography – All Rights Reserved

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