| FIM Women's Circuit Racing World Championship | |
| Category: | Motorcycle racing |
| Region: | International |
| Inaugural: | 2024 |
| Constructors: | Yamaha |
| Tyres: | Pirelli |
| Current Season: | FIM Women's Motorcycling World Championship |
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. 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 drivers 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.
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]
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, the series used 300 cc motorcycles. It was run over 6 Italian venues as support races for the (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.
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.
Identical 2023 Euro 5 specification 689cc liquid-cooled, inline 2-cylinder DOHC Yamaha YZF-R7 motorcycles[21] are supplied to all competitors and are fitted with a Yamaha GYTR race kit. Maintenance and set-up is carried out by Luca Montiron's JiR organisation although teams may make minor adjustments in set-up.
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.
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. Each race has a minimum length of 40km (30miles) and a maximum of 70km (40miles).[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 reaming positions by Superpole times.
The grid consists of 24 permanent female riders. At each round, the Federation of the host nation can nominate 2 "wildcat" entries, additionally Dorna can nominate "one event" entries.[25] The regulations allow a maximum of 30 riders. Competitors must be between the ages of 18 and 50.
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.[26] [27]
The format of the race weekend is:
| Points | 25 | 20 | 16 | 13 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
|---|
See main article: 2024 FIM Women's Circuit Racing World Championship. 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.[30]
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 | |
| Circuito do Estoril | 11–13 October | |
 Circuito de Jerez | 18–20 October |
See main article: world championships.