WorldSBK bosses have confirmed they are in discussion to bring a control ECU into the series and expect to make a decision ‘within weeks’.

The Superbike Commission met at Barcelona’s MotoGP round to discuss bringing in the new measure next season and although no conclusion was drawn, it is believes that most of the manufacturers would be amenable if it meant halting the Kawasaki and Ducati domination.

A statement from the FIM reads:

There were no decisions taken for an immediate application. However, the possibility of controlling and applying a single Electronic Control Unit in the SBK class for 2018 was discussed. The final decision about using a single ECU would be taken within the following weeks.

A control ECU revolutionised the MCE British Superbike series - despite much wailing and gnashing of teeth at the time. It was masterminded by ex-500GP racer Scott Smart, who is now the WorldSBK technical director, and uses Motec systems.

Kawasaki, Ducati and Yamaha currently use Magneti Marelli electronics and it is the Italian firm that supplies MotoGP with its control ECU, so the smart money - pardon the pun - would go on a contract being awarded there.

That, however, would seem pointless as it would give the teams Dorna are seeking to disadvantage an, erm, advantage, as their engineers are already well versed in the systems while the likes of Aprilia, Honda and BMW - who use their own proprietary electronics - would have to spend time learning and adapting.

It would make more sense, then, to use a system that is less well known but still as good, like Motec, so everyone begins on a level playing field. Although, Crescent Racing in their Suzuki guise did use Motec before they switched to Marelli two years ago.