World Superbikes: KTM talks WSB

KTM got their first taste of the World Superbike paddock two weeks ago in Valencia with their new factory supported KTM RC8 competing in the European Superstock championship.

The Austrian company are already big hitters in the 125 and 250GP classes and have plans to increase their involvement in the Superbike championship with a rumoured entry into World Superbikes in 2010.

MCN spoke with the men that created the new RC8 for their thoughts on World Superbikes and how they will be involved in the future.

PHILIPP HABSBURG – KTM HEAD OF VEHICLE
WOLFGANG FELBER – KTM MANAGER RC8 DEPT.
THOMAS KUTTRUF – KTM PR
 
Already the Superstock bike seems good, what do you expect from this weekend?

HABSBURG: “It is the first time in the Superbike/Supersport/Superstock weekend for us, the target the first year is to learn a lot about what’s going on here in racing.

“That’s also the reason why we located the whole team here in the R&D area, not in the sports area like we do the 125 and 250 GP, because we want to learn and learn also for the next year.

“There is a very close link for us with production, Wolfgang Felber is here, he is the head of RC8 team for production and that’s why he is here in racing. We want to link this sport very close to the production.”
 
It always seemed the WSB paddock was much more obvious place for KTM than MotoGP. Do you plan to stay?

HABSBURG – “Yes, we want to stay here for sure for many years. KTM’s slogan is ‘Ready to Race’ so for us it’s the target to be ready to race. That’s what we want here, it’s also the first year for the production bike.

“We learned a lot from MotoGP experience in KTM, but we start with the first experience in Superstock and then let’s see.”
 
What is your plan for Superbike?

HABSBURG: “We want to be here for sure in 2008 and 2009 with the Superstock. Afterwards it’s not decided yet but we are thinking for sure for 2010.”
 
What’s your opinion of new 2008 regulations that allow 1200cc twins to race?

FELBER: “Rules for Superstock racing in general are quite well settled because it forces a company like us to build a bike which is competitive for racing out for the crate of the production line, so all the development we make with our race team will be transported back to the development of the next year and the 2010 stock bike.

“For the new regulations, I think it’s pretty well balanced between the four-cylinders and the twins, it’s the first races of course this season but if you take a look at the results I think it’s pretty well balanced so I think it’s good rules.”
 
In the long-term will you be able to build a competitive bike?

HABSBURG: We have our plans in the long term also but we like the idea to start with a small team and be a little bit patient and orientate where we are. We will see how competitive our bike is in the future and after that it’s probably the better moment to do such a big decision and go Superbike racing.

“Until now from our management there is no decision yet, that’s what we can say and no more. Because we don’t decide to go Superbike racing or not, this is up to Mr Pierer (KTM CEO).”

KUTTRUF: “Phillip said there is a clear learning that we made from our experience in MotoGP racing. For sure we know that this Superbike paddock is the top level of stock bike racing, but there is also a clear link to the production bike, which means we have to be 100 per cent sure we can give this benefit to our stock bikes, which means the learning curve to be competitive there is much longer.

“This is something completely different to prototype racing. So if we are not 100 per cent sure with our product and not competitive, there is no signature and no clear timeline to go there.

“But this will come exactly out of this racing, and yesterday was the very first qualifying practice for us with the RC8. We have to be honest, this is our strategy.”
 
Is the 3000 homologation rule a concern for a company the size of KTM?

HABSBURG: “That’s for sure a problem, because now in the first year we sell around 3000 pieces a year. The RC8 is a price level of 16/17,000 Euros, if we look at the Ducati their race model is around 35/37,000 Euros, when the really expensive model is the homologation for Superbike racing.

“I think it’s also not possible for Ducati to sell 3000 pieces a year of this 35,000 Euro model. The next half a year will show us how it works and this year it’s much easier to see how it goes on because it’s clearer how it works.”
 
BMW are coming in to World Superbike. Is this a motivating factor for you as a company?

HABSBURG: “Honestly for sure, a little bit but as you said before it’s not a war against BMW and neither is BMW fighting a war against the competition. We are KTM, Ready to Race and we like the competition.
 
How big a concern and a factor is electronics as you go towards superbike?

FELBER: It’s getting more and more for sure, but we don’t talk about the budget or spending. In KTM R&D we are about 250 people, all working from 50 cc motorbikes up to the RC8.
 
When you were in MotoGP a big problem was the cost of electronics. Will this be an issue here?

FELBER: You are right, when I look back to MotoGP electronics were a huge cost in budget and resources to do the development. In Superbike and generally motorbike racing my mind is split.

“For one reason, new electronics development help a lot for the average customer who buys the future bikes in the shop in five years. On the other hand my opinion is that it’s bad for motorsport, this is my personal opinion and I don’t find the right answer yet.

“I think electronics have to be regulated somehow otherwise it goes the same way as Formula 1 and it plays too big a role for motorsport and the rider and also for the race teams and the companies.
 
Michael Schumacher has been riding your bikes does he have a future at KTM?

KTM: He’s really welcome and at the moment his salary demands are also OK!