• Welcome to the new B.I.R.D. Forum. Please be sure to read the "New Member / New Registered ? Please Read" thread in the Coffee Shop. This contains some important information. To become a full member ( £5.90 a year ) simply click on your user name near the top on the right I hope you enjoy the new site ................ Jaws ( John )

Moto GP news

KUCIAR666

Registered User
News - 13/11/2007
World Champions Colin Edwards and James Toseland join forces with Yamaha Tech 3 Team

It is with great pleasure that the Yamaha Tech 3 team wishes to announce the signing of two world champions to contest the 2008 MotoGP World Championship.

American rider Colin Edwards, will be joined by Brit, James Toseland with both riders bringing a wealth of riding experience to the Yamaha Tech 3 Team.

Texan Edwards, after four years in the elite class and winning two World Superbike Championships in 2000 and 2002, possesses an invaluable amount of development knowledge while Toseland is the recently crowned 2007 world superbike champion after first claiming his first world title in 2004.

In another exciting development for the vastly experienced French team both riders will compete on Michelin tyres as well as commencing the season on the latest version of the Yamaha M1.

The entire Tech 3 team is very happy to welcome these two great riders with their first outing at the next winter test this week at the Sepang circuit in Malaysia (15-16-17th November). The team will then head to Jerez in Spain from the 27th to 29th of November for the next stop of the hectic winter schedule before the December test ban comes into effect.
Colin Edwards quotes:
?I?m honestly really excited about coming to Tech 3. I think the overall package that Yamaha has put together for next year ? four good bikes and four World Champions and four different crews giving Yamaha a whole lot of information means we will be on the pace from the start and it?s pretty exciting. I?ve known Herve well and I know that Tech 3 is a very good outfit and I?m also really looking forward to sharing a garage with James. I?m positive that it?s going to be a great team.?
James Toseland quotes:
?I am over the moon about coming to MotoGP. It seems to have been a long time coming to get this opportunity but it has come at the right time and is the opportunity of a lifetime. It is a massive transition in my life to make and I am really looking forward to it. I don?t know who was happier as my mum was in tears when we got the news!
I am really thankful to Yamaha and I appreciate the chance they have given me and I want to thank everyone for the opportunity they have given me.
I have met Herve on a couple of occasions and he is a genuine nice guy and I truly feel the Tech 3 Team will be a good place to start my MotoGP career so it?s nice to be welcomed into the team.
It will also be good to be working with Colin again as we have had a 10 year separation. He has said some really nice things in the press as to how he will help me. We get on really well together so I think we should make a good team.
I?ve been employed to do a serious job so I am not coming in with the mental attitude that there won?t be any pressure on me; there will be and I want to do the best job possible and be near the front.?
 

KUCIAR666

Registered User
Rizla Suzuki MotoGP fired up for first test of 2008

Rizla Suzuki MotoGP is heading to Sepang in Malaysia in an eager mood, to begin this year?s testing in readiness for the 2008 MotoGP World Championship.

Chris Vermeulen and new Suzuki signing Loris Capirossi will join up with the rest of the crew from around the world at the 5.5km Sepang International Circuit on Tuesday 22nd January, for the first test of a busy pre-season schedule before the opening race of the season at Qatar on Sunday 9th March.

The Suzuki Factory Engineers have been working in a methodical and focussed manner during the enforced winter break to ensure Vermeulen and Capirossi can continue with the positive testing on the 2008 Suzuki GSV-R, as shown in last year?s post-season tests at Valencia, Sepang and Phillip Island. Team Test Rider Nobuatsu Aoki will join the two Rizla Suzuki racers to assist with the thorough test programme that the team will undertake during the three days in Malaysia.

Sepang will be the first time that new signing Capirossi will appear in the recognisable Rizla blue, as the experienced Italian star begins his Suzuki career. It will also signal the first official sighting of Vermeulen running the iconic crossed seven ? made famous by Barry Sheene ? on his GSV-R.

Chris Vermeulen:


?I can?t wait to get back on the bike and start testing again. We made really good progress during the tests at the end of last year and I have been in constant touch with my Crew Chief Tom O?Kane, and from what we have been told the bike is looking good for this season. This is my third full year in MotoGP so it is a very important time in my career and I need to be performing at the top of my game from the start. I believe I am in the right team and with the right bike and we can make a big impact in 2008!?

Loris Capirossi:

?This is a great time to be with Suzuki, I believe that I have joined a team that is very much on the way up. I was pleased with the way the bike behaved in the tests last year and am very excited about what we will have to test in Sepang. For sure it is not going to be easy this year as other teams will have improved their bikes, but I feel we will be able to compete with anybody. We need to get into the tests and make sure we can get the best set-up and performance from the bike in time for the first race. You don?t win races in tests but we have a good chance to make sure that we are in the best position to win them when the season starts by using these upcoming days to make every possible improvement that we can.?
 

KUCIAR666

Registered User
News - Turin, Italy 18/01/2008




Yamaha and Fiat celebrate their second year together at 2008 team launch in Turin


Yamaha Motor Company Ltd. and Fiat Automobiles S.p.A. marked the second year of their MotoGP partnership today, at the official 2008 Fiat Yamaha Team Launch in Turin, Italy. The presentation was hosted by Italian TV star Simona Ventura and took place at the historic Lingotto building, which was Fiat?s car factory from 1923 until 1982.

The building, which features a unique rooftop test track, played host to a different type of wheel power today when the new 2008 YZR-M1s, sporting an updated version of the Fiat Yamaha Team?s eye-catching white and blue livery, were unveiled. Yamaha?s double MotoGP World Champion Valentino Rossi was present at the ceremony alongside his new team-mate, 20-year-old Spaniard Jorge Lorenzo, who is making the step up to MotoGP after two years as 250cc World Champion.

Also present today were Lin Jarvis, Managing Director of Yamaha Motor Racing Srl, Masahiko Nakajima, Fiat Yamaha Team Director and YZR-M1 Project Leader, Davide Brivio and Daniele Romagnoli, Fiat Yamaha Team Managers, and Lorenzo Sistino, CEO of the Fiat brand.

?I?m very happy that we?re so close to the start of racing,? said Rossi, who will contest this season on Bridgestone tyres for the first time. ?This is a very important year for us and our only aim is to win, although it?s going to be hard work. My hand is much better, if not yet perfect, and I?m looking forward to getting back on the bike in Sepang next week. Everyone has been working very hard over the winter and I think our new bike is quite good, although of course we still have a lot of work to do. Everyone is very motivated and I know that we have the best team there is.?

Lorenzo, whose M1 will be Michelin-shod this season, enjoyed his first official day as a Yamaha rider. ?I?m very happy to be here, with these people, this bike and in this team. I have a long way to go in my development but I have improved each time I?ve ridden the bike and the last test especially was very good. I?m very excited about this season and it?s a great honour to share the garage with Valentino, who is without doubt the most complete talent in our sport.?

Lin Jarvis, Managing Director of Yamaha Motor Racing, commented, ?We?re very pleased to be continuing our strong partnership with our title sponsor Fiat. Meanwhile, the most important change to our team is the arrival of Jorge Lorenzo as Valentino Rossi?s new team-mate. Our aim is to recapture the title and, as our most experienced rider, this is Valentino?s clear mission. However we also expect Jorge to be fighting at the front as he gains experience. We have two multiple World Championship winning riders in our team and we believe we have optimum chance to realise our ambitions.

?As well as continuing with Fiat, we also enter into a second year with Official Sponsors AIA and ACER, and we?re also delighted to announce today the arrival of a new Official Sponsor in solar-energy company KERSELF, with whom we have concluded a two-year sponsorship agreement. Another important new partner is YAMALUBE, Yamaha?s own high performance lubricants brand. Plus, as everyone knows, this season we will be working with both Michelin and Bridgestone tyre brands and we would like to thank them, as well as all our official sponsors and suppliers, for their continued support.?

?The Fiat Yamaha initiative has been a success for Fiat from the start,? added Lorenzo Sistino, CEO of the Fiat brand. ?The team is young, successful and dynamic and MotoGP brings us very close to our target market and gives us great visibility, not only in Italy but worldwide. We?re looking forward to another great year with Yamaha.?

The Fiat Yamaha Team?s 2008 campaign gets underway in Sepang, Malaysia next week with the first of four pre-season tests. The 18-round MotoGP season commences in Qatar on 9th of March.
 

KUCIAR666

Registered User
Tuesday, 6th May
Barcelona, Spain

LORENZO?S INJURIES CONFIRMED IN BARCELONA
Having flown straight back to Spain on Sunday night following his stunning ride to fourth place in Shanghai last weekend, Fiat Yamaha Team rider Jorge Lorenzo visited the Dexeus Institue in Barcelona on Monday morning for further examination by world-renowned specialist Dr. Xavier Mir.

Dr. Mir, who had only operated on Lorenzo two weeks ago to relieve compartmental syndrome in his right forearm, was keen to carry out his own diagnosis on the injuries sustained during free practice for the Grand Prix of China, which the Clinica Mobile had treated to great effect in Shanghai in order to allow Lorenzo to ride.

The injuries were confirmed to be slightly worse than first thought, especially to the right ankle, which was originally thought to have escaped fracture. A 3D CAT scan of both ankles revealed the following further injuries:

- Fracture of the Astragalus in the right ankle (no displacement)
- Torn lateral internal ligament in the left ankle

Treatment now consists of a solid cast for Lorenzo?s right ankle and an elastic support for his left, temporarily confining him to a wheelchair. "Next Monday we will carry out more tests and make a detailed evaluation of the injuries suffered to both ankles,? commented Doctor Mir.

Lorenzo lies second in the MotoGP World Championship after taking a victory, a second place, a third and a fourth from the opening four rounds. He now faces a battle to be fit for the next chapter of his incredible rookie story - the Grand Prix of France at Le Mans on 18th May.
 

KUCIAR666

Registered User
Rizla Suzuki MotoGP looking for more of the same

Rizla Suzuki MotoGP is on its way to Le Mans in France, looking to emulate the result achieved by Chris Vermeulen last season.

Vermeulen stormed to his maiden Grand Prix victory at the famous French circuit, a result that also gave Suzuki its first-ever victory in MotoGP since the introduction of the four-stroke regulations.

Loris Capirossi will be planning to continue with the impressive race form he has shown this season since joining Suzuki. The Italian racer also tasted recent podium success at the French track when he finished second in 2006.

The historic Le Mans circuit has had some modifications to the layout in readiness for the next round of the MotoGP World Championship. The alterations have been made to improve safety over the revised new lap length of 4,185m. Le Mans will still retain its unique character as the most ?stop-and-go? circuit on the calendar, with hard braking points, slow corners and one turn taken flat-out in top-gear. It is certainly one of the most physically demanding tracks used in MotoGP.

Rizla Suzuki MotoGP takes to the track on Friday 16th May for two free practice sessions, followed by another free session on Saturday morning and an hour of qualifying in the afternoon. Sunday?s 28-lap race gets underway at 14.00hrs local time (12.00hrs GMT).

Chris Vermeulen:


?I am looking forward to getting to Le Mans, not just because of the good memories of my first MotoGP win there, but because we need to get back on the bike and try to get the GSV-R as competitive as it can be. I was really disappointed after Shanghai, but I know the Suzuki staff have been working hard to find out the cause of the problem and I?m sure that won?t happen again. The results we are getting are not what we all deserve for all the hard work that we are putting in, maybe we just need that bit of luck to go our way - so what better place than Le Mans for that to happen."

Loris Capirossi:


?The performance at Shanghai showed that we are close to the front guys now and the GSV-R is becoming more and more competitive at each event. Both Chris and I could have had much better results but for my mistake and the problems that we had in the race. I believe the bike is very capable of running at the front and we need to start getting the positions that we want. Everybody at Suzuki is working so hard to make it happen and I want to be part of it!?
 

KUCIAR666

Registered User
LORENZO GETS GREEN LIGHT TO RACE AT LE MANS

Jorge Lorenzo has been given the official 'thumbs up' to participate in this weekend?s French Grand Prix, after undergoing assessment in Barcelona this afternoon by Doctor Xavier Mir. The Fiat Yamaha rider paid a visit to the Dexeus Institute where Doctor Mir assessed the injuries to both ankles, sustained in Shanghai less than two weeks ago, before taking his flight to Paris.

X-rays confirmed that the astragalus in Lorenzo's right ankle and torn lateral internal ligament in his left are both healing well. The edema and post-traumatic bruising suffered by the current second-placed rider in the MotoGP World Championship have also reduced significantly. The 21-year-old will continue to have physiotherapy on the two joints, which will remain immobilised, before he takes to the track for first free practice at Le Mans on Friday morning.

"Not enough time has passed yet for the injuries to fully heal, but Jorge's pain threshold will allow him to compete without too much risk this weekend," commented Doctor Mir.
 

KUCIAR666

Registered User
Rossi puts celebrations behind him to concentrate on Bridgestone tyre testing

After making another step up the all-time winners list to joint second with his 90th career victory yesterday, Valentino Rossi wasted no time in getting started on working towards number 91 at Le Mans yesterday. It was the first of two days of testing for Rossi, who was the sole occupant of the Fiat Yamaha Team garage as team-mate Jorge Lorenzo flew back to Spain after his hard-fought second yesterday to continue rehabilitation on his fractured ankles.

Yamaha is flying high after filling the podium but there is still ongoing development work for the team, with Rossi focusing largely on tyre testing for the future with Bridgestone today as well as refining the set-up of his M1. Most of the paddock stayed on to test and Rossi was second fastest today after 68 laps with a best lap of 1?33.661, set on a qualifying tyre.

The Italian is keen to head to his home race at Mugello next week in the best possible shape and will therefore continue testing Tuesday, when he will have the track almost to himself with most teams are packing up tonight.

Valentino Rossi; ?Monday was a good day, even if it was quite hard to get back to work after the great day we had Sunday! We tested many different tyres with Bridgestone, both qualifiers and race tyres, and collected a lot of information. The tyres we tested were mostly for the future development, not so much for the next few races, but it?s very important to look ahead like this and we found some good material. Of course we worked on the setting a bit as well and also tested some new electronic maps, and now we will continue with more tyre testing again tomorrow. Our aim for this test is just to make sure the bike is in the best possible shape for the Italian challenge that is waiting around the corner!?

1. Dani Pedrosa (SPA) Repsol Honda 1'33.106
2. Valentino Rossi (ITA) Fiat Yamaha Team 1'33.661
3. Casey Stoner (AUS) Ducati Marlboro 1'33.994
4. Chris Vermeulen (AUS) Rizla Suzuki 1'34.108
5. John Hopkins (USA) Kawasaki Racing 1'34.484
6. Loris Capirossi (ITA) Rizla Suzuki MotoGP 1'34.730
7. Nicky Hayden (USA) Repsol Honda 1'34.752
8. Shinya Nakano (JPN) San Carlo Honda Gresini 1'34.911
9. Alex De Angelis (RSM) San Carlo Honda Gresini 1'34.926
10. Anthony West (AUS) Kawasaki Racing 1'35.082
11. Marco Melandri (ITA) Ducati Marlboro 1'36.064
12. Erwan Nigon (FRA) HRC Test Team 1'37.389
13. Olivier Jacque (FRA) Kawasaki Racing 1'37.424

Le Mans record lap: V. Rossi (Yamaha) 2006, 1'35.087
Le Mans best Lap: C. Edwards (Yamaha) 2007, 1'33.616
 

KUCIAR666

Registered User
ROSSI SAYS GOODBYE TO LE MANS WITH FINAL DAY OF IMPORTANT TESTING
Valentino Rossi put in another valuable day?s work in Le Mans today, Sunday?s race winner completing 44 laps and setting a best time of 1?33.882. With just four riders testing today, it was a quiet day on track and Rossi and his crew made the most of the relaxed environment to continue testing tyres with Bridgestone and to try out some new settings for the M1. The Italian?s best time was set on race tyres and was an impressive 0.333 seconds quicker than the fastest lap in Sunday?s race, set by Rossi himself on his way to a memorable 90th career victory.

The Fiat Yamaha Team rider will now head home to Italy to prepare for what is always one of the biggest weekends of his year, the Italian Grand Prix at Mugello on 1st June.

Davide Brivio Team manager



?It was a nice quiet day on track today and it was good to have the chance to work in such a relaxed atmosphere, without so many other riders around. We finished quite early but we managed to get a lot of important work done, both on tyres with Bridgestone and on the general set-up of our bike with the next few races in mind. We tested more different tyres and also made some experiments with different settings, trying to collect as much information as possible to help us to continue to improve. The next eight weeks brings six races in close succession and so we need to be at the top of our game! Valentino did a very good time with a race tyre this afternoon so it?s clear we?re working well, and now we?re leaving Le Mans with some great memories and with everyone feeling positive and motivated for the busiest stage of the season. Thanks to Valentino and the team for staying on and working so hard over these two days; now I hope everyone can have a good break before our home race!?
Valentino Rossi;
?Monday was a good day, even if it was quite hard to get back to work after the great day we had Sunday! We tested many different tyres with Bridgestone, both qualifiers and race tyres, and collected a lot of information. The tyres we tested were mostly for the future development, not so much for the next few races, but it?s very important to look ahead like this and we found some good material. Of course we worked on the setting a bit as well and also tested some new electronic maps, and now we will continue with more tyre testing again tomorrow. Our aim for this test is just to make sure the bike is in the best possible shape for the Italian challenge that is waiting around the corner!?
Test Times


1. Valentino Rossi (ITA) Fiat Yamaha Team 1'33.882

2. Casey Stoner (AUS) Ducati Marlboro 1'34.068

3. Erwan Nigon (FRA) HRC Test Team 1'36.341

4. Marco Melandri (ITA) Ducati Marlboro 1'38.536
 
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KUCIAR666

Registered User
JAMIE HACKING TO MAKE MOTOGP DEBUT AT LAGUNA

AMA Superbike star, Jamie Hacking, will make his MotoGP debut in this year's USGP at Laguna Seca, after being drafted into the Kawasaki Racing Team as a temporary replacement for the injured John Hopkins.

A three-time AMA champion, Hacking has racked up six podium finishes already in this year's ultra-competitive AMA Superbike championship, making him the ideal choice to stand in for Hopkins while the Anglo-American recovers from the injuries sustained in a high-speed qualifying crash ahead of the Dutch TT at Assen.

Although a US citizen now, 37-year-old Hacking was born in the Lancashire mill town of Oswaldtwistle in the North of England and only moved to the United States at the age of nine years, when his father secured a job in Spartanburg, South Carolina.

And it was in America that 'the Hacker' got serious about racing, contesting junior motocross events all over the South-Eastern United States and winning almost every race he entered. In 1994 Hacking made the switch to road racing aboard a Kawasaki ZX-7R and made an instant impression by crashing out of his first race!

Hacking made his AMA debut in 1997, again aboard a Kawasaki, and took pole position in his very first Supersport qualifying session. In 1998 he secured the AMA Rookie of the Year award and in 2003 he won the first of two AMA Supersport titles, the second coming in 2006 when he was also crowned AMA Superstock champion.

A move to Kawasaki in 2007 brought two Supersport race wins aboard the ZX-6R as well as five Superbike podium finishes. This season Hacking has focussed solely on the Superbike class and, with six podium finishes to his name so far this season, currently lies fourth in the championship standings.

The highly experienced AMA Superbike rider broke the lap record during two days of testing at Autopolis this week, aboard the Ninja ZX-RR machine he will race at Laguna. As a result, he heads for the USGP determined to match, or even exceed, the performance of his Kawasaki teammate, Roger Lee Hayden, who brought the Ninja ZX-RR home in an impressive tenth place in last year's race.


Jamie Hacking Kawasaki MotoGP Pilot #12


"I'm really excited about riding Kawasaki's Ninja ZX-RR in the USGP at Laguna Seca. We've just completed two days of testing with the bike in Japan, and I felt pretty comfortable straight away. It's an amazing machine. I can't believe how sophisticated the electronics package is on the bike; already it feels like you can open the gas impossibly early out of the turns, but the data shows that it's actually possible to open the throttle even earlier. To do this requires some confidence in the electronics, and that confidence will only come with more track time on the bike. Roger Lee set the benchmark at this race last year with an outstanding tenth place finish, so that's certainly given me something to aim for. Laguna is one of my best tracks, but I'm under no illusions how hard it's going to be. I'll be up against some of the best riders in the world on a bike on which I've only had limited testing time. If I come away from the weekend with a top ten finish, then I'll be happy."

Michael Bartholemy Kawasaki Competition Manager


"Given his results in this year's AMA Superbike championship, Jamie was the obvious choice for Kawasaki when the factory started looking for a temporary replacement for John Hopkins. We are looking forward to seeing what he can do on our bike at Laguna Seca, especially after he broke the lap record at Kawasaki's Autopolis circuit in Japan during two days of testing on the Ninja ZX-RR this week. One big advantage that Jamie has is that he knows the track extremely well, and I think that will count in his favour, as it will allow him to focus completely on the bike during the race weekend. Roger Lee set a hard target last year by finishing as the first American across the line in tenth place, but I'm sure that Jamie is heading to the USGP determined to do even better! I'm sure that he will do a good job for us at Laguna."
 

KUCIAR666

Registered User
Onde 2000 betting on Gibernau for 2009 MotoGP project
Pablo Nieto has confirmed that sponsors Onde 2000 are working on a project to bring Sete Gibernau back into MotoGP next season on Ducati satellite machinery.

The sons of Spanish racing hero and MotoGP Legend Angel Nieto, Pablo and Gelete, are working hard with sponsors Onde 2000 and Ducati Corse to bring Sete Gibernau back into the World Championship in 2009.

Gibernau, who was twice runner-up in MotoGP before his retirement from racing in 2006, has tested with Ducati this year and has made it clear that he would love to make a Grand Prix comeback.

The Nieto brothers are assisting the 35 year-old star from Barcelona in making that dream a reality and are close to finalising a plan with their sponsors, Spanish property development company Onde 2000, and Italian manufacturers Ducati ? which could result in five bikes from the Borgo Panigale factory on the 2009 grid.

Speaking to motogp.com on Saturday at the Red Bull Indianapolis Grand Prix, Pablo Nieto stated, `It?s still a little bit early to say for sure. But it is true that we have been talking to Ducati and to Sete, and it would be a very nice project for next year. It?s very difficult to go into MotoGP but we have the possibility and in the next couple of days it should become clearer.?

`It is almost done,? continued the Spanish 125cc rider, `but we have a lot of small things to finalise and Ducati have almost given the `Ok?, Sete has almost said `Ok? and it should be sorted soon because Ducati need to know for certain for next year, so they can provide the bikes. It is very important for us and for our sponsors, we are nearly there but we just can?t confirm it yet.?

Asked whether he or his brother Gelete could be involved in the management structure of the new team, Pablo replied, `That is the problem. I am riding in 125c and maybe next year I am going to ride in 250cc. My brother is now the manager of our team, and all the team will have to be completely new. That is slightly problematic because in MotoGP the teams are very big, with lots of people involved and we have to finalise all these things.?
 

KUCIAR666

Registered User
Gibernau makes return official in Valencia presentation
Sete Gibernau confirmed his signing for Onde 2000 and return to action for 2009 on Thursday in Valencia.
Sete Gibernau announces his return to MotoGP in Valencia

Sete Gibernau was officially unveiled as a participant in the 2009 MotoGP World Championship on Thursday evening, confirming his comeback as part of the new Onde 2000 Ducati project.

The former MotoGP World Championship runner-up will ride with the number 59 in the upcoming campaign. Speaking at the team?s official presentation in Valencia, Gibernau explained his motivation for a return to competition after two seasons on the sidelines.

`I?m excited about what it means to be a MotoGP rider, I?ve come back to enjoy it again and it?s a good opportunity for me. That?s my main goal; to enjoy riding. I?m still open to learning again, even at 35,? said Gibernau, whose comeback came as a result of a chain of circumstances begun by a visit to this year?s race at Barcelona. The Spaniard agreed an initial one-off test with Ducati in Mugello, which he repeated on further occasions as a return became more viable.

Whilst the decision to re-enter the World Championship was ultimately an easy one for Gibernau, he doesn?t expect it to be plain sailing. Having followed two seasons of racing as a spectator, he has seen the new generation of riders come through, as well as already knowing just how difficult it is to be competitive at the highest level.

I?ve been watching and I?ve been impressed with the riders. I have a lot of respect for them and I have to be conscious that it?s going to be difficult. I?m going to have to work very hard and I?m ready for that,? he concluded.
 

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KUCIAR666

Registered User
Replacement Regulations for 250cc Class as from 2011 (Moto2)

Replacement Regulations for 250cc Class as from 2011 (Moto2)

Replacement Regulation for 250cc Class from 2011 (Moto2)
Technical Regulations:
1. Engine
1.1 4-stroke engines only.
1.2 Engine capacity: maximum 600cc.
1.3 4 cylinders maximum.
1.4 No oval pistons.
1.5 Engines must be normally aspirated. No turbo-charging, no super-charging.
1.6 Engine speed limited to maximum: 16,000 rpm. 4-cylinder engines
15,500 rpm. 3-cylinder engines
15,000 rpm. 2-cylinder engines
An electronic system supplied by the Organisers will be permanently attached to monitor and control
engine speed.
1.7 Pneumatic valve operation is not permitted.
1.8 Inlet and Exhaust valves must be of conventional type (reciprocating poppet valves).
1.9 Variable valve timing or variable valve lift systems are not permitted.
1.10 Only wet-sump type engine lubrication systems are permitted.
1.11 Minimum weight of complete engine with throttle body, dry:
53 kg 4-cylinder
50 kg 3-cylinder
47 kg 2 cylinder
2. Inlet & Fuel System
2.1 Variable-length inlet tract systems are not permitted.
2.2 Only one throttle control valve per cylinder is permitted. No other moving devices are permitted in the
inlet tract before the engine intake valve.
2.3 Throttle bodies will have a maximum internal diameter (must be perfectly circle except for the area of
dent or groove to allow the injector to come out) at engine side out-let of:
42 mm for 4-cylinder
48 mm for 3-cylinder
59 mm for 2-cylinder
2.4 Fuel injectors will be restricted to a defined type (tba, based on cost).
2.5 Fuel pressure must not exceed 5.0 bar.
2.6 No artificial cooling of intake air or fuel.
2.7 Only air or air/fuel mixture is permitted in the induction tract and combustion chamber.
2.8 No direct fuel injection into the cylinder/head/combustion chamber.
2.9 Fuel specification will be for standard unleaded fuel (commercially available EU-compliant ?pump fuel?).
3. Exhaust system
3.1 Variable length exhaust systems are not permitted.
3.2 Noise limit will be a maximum of 120 dB/A, measured in a static test.
4. Transmission
4.1 A maximum of 6 gearbox speeds is permitted.
4.2 A maximum of 3 alternate gear ratios for each gearbox speed, and 2 alternate ratios for the primary
drive gear is permitted. Teams will be required to declare the gearbox ratios for each gear used at the
beginning of the season.
4.3 Electro-mechanical or electro-hydraulic clutch actuating systems are not permitted.
5. Ignition, Electronics & Data-Logging
5.1 Data logger system will be supplied by the series Organizer.
5.2 Only the ECU/fuel injection control units supplied by the series Organiser are allowed to be fitted
to the motorcycle. Electronic control units include the timing transponder, engine RPM control,
and datalogger systems. No other electronic control or datalogging systems will be allowed on the
motorcycle.
The price of ECU unit made by each engine manufacturer must be equal to or less than
JPY75,000 (about Euro650).
6. Chassis
6.1 Chassis will be a prototype, the design and construction of which is free within the constraints of the
FIM Grand Prix Technical Regulations. The frame, swing-arm, fuel tank, seat and cowling are
forbidden to use from a non-prototype as series production road-going motorcycle.
6.2 Minimum Total Weight: 135kg for 4-cylinder
130kg for 3-cylinder
125kg for 2-cylinder
6.3 No carbon brake discs.
7. Wheels & Tyres
7.1 No carbon composite wheels.
7.2 The maximum permitted wheel rim width is: Front 4.00?
Rear 6.00? or 6.25?
7.3 The only permitted wheel rim diameter is: Front 17?
Rear 17?
7.4 The number of slick tyres allocated to each rider per event will be controlled.
8. Materials & Construction
8.1 Construction materials will be limited to exclude expensive ?non-conventional? materials and
manufacturing methods (a list will be issued).
8.2 The following components must be made from iron-based alloys:
Valve springs, camshafts, crankshafts, connecting rods, piston pins, brake discs.
8.3 Engine crankcases and cylinder heads must be made from cast aluminium alloys.
8.4 Pistons must be made from an aluminium alloy.
9. General
9.1 Number of machines: the team can scrutineer only one motorcycle per rider.
9.2 Number of engines: a maximum of 2 complete engines per rider is permitted at any event. Teams will
be required to register engine serial numbers at Technical Control on the day before the first practice.
9.3 Apart from the above regulations, all other construction criteria, dimensions and specifications are as
per the FIM Grand Prix Regulations.
9.4 The engine (excluding exhaust, throttle bodies and ECU) used in a race is available to be purchased
by another competitor in the same race for a fixed price of ?20,000 (Euro). Such purchase request
must be made in writing to Race Direction within the protest period, that is within 60 minutes after the
official end of the race. The transaction and delivery will be completed immediately at the end of the
60 minute protest period and will be underwritten by IRTA. Teams refusing to sell when presented
with a valid request will be disqualified
 

KUCIAR666

Registered User
Baylis would face Rossi - for $2m

Baylis would face Rossi - for $2m
WORLD Superbike champion Troy Bayliss would take on MotoGP titleholder Valentino Rossi in a match race - he'd want Stg1 million ($A2.1 million) to do it.

Rossi is reportedly keen on the challenge but Bayliss has been firm in his decision to walk away from motorcycle racing completely.

Bayliss retired at the end of this season after clinching his third Superbike world crown and is eyeing a possible switch to V8 Supercars.

But he has left a small window open to the Rossi suggestion and believes the Italian Yamaha star could easily be competitive on the different machine.

"I spoke with Valentino and he told me that he wants to race me really badly," Bayliss told motorcyclenews.com.

"It wouldn't be so hard for him to be competitive on a Superbike.

"Yamaha have got a strong bike so it would be no problem at all for him to get up to speed. Valentino Rossi is Valentino Rossi.

"For me right now, I've stopped training and I'm happy with may plan to finish.

"I'm feeling happy that the last time I rode I was world champion plus I won both races and beat all the other guys out there.

"For me to do it I'd need something like Stg1 million and that's not going to happen."

Rossi, who this year regained his world MotoGP title from Australian Casey Stoner, has described Superbikes as the most entertaining form of motorcycle racing.

He has since reportedly been keen to arrange a head-to-head duel with the Australian.

The race was tipped to take place during the second round of the World Superbike series in Qatar on March 14.

The MotoGP season does not start until April 12 in Qatar.

Fiat Yamaha has played down reports of the one-off clash.

"Valentino has given a couple of interviews since (the final race in) Valencia where he has spoken of his passion for World Superbikes and how much he enjoys that series," a spokesperson said.

"There is no doubt it would be a very exciting and epic battle but there is no plan by Yamaha to let Valentino race in World Superbikes."
 

KUCIAR666

Registered User
Kawasaki quits MotoGP

Rumours are circulating that Kawasaki has shut down its factory MotoGP squad with immediate effect.

The move would leave Marco Melandri and American John Hopkins without a ride for 2009 and the MotoGP world championship down to a paltry entry of just 17 bikes.

The current global economic crisis is being cited as the reason for the decision for Kawasaki to quit the premier class after a disastrous 2008 campaign.

The Japanese factory failed to build on a promising maiden 800cc campaign with the ZX-RR a perennial backmarker in 2008. Hopkins plummeted from fourth in the rankings in ?07 to only 16th in an injury-hit campaign, while Aussie Anthony West had a torrid time and he was only 18th in the final world championship standings.

Although Japanese management had grown increasingly frustrated at the huge financial outlay for little return in terms of results, there had been no suggestion of a withdrawal for 2009.

The team had already completed two pre-season tests in Valencia and Phillip Island and work was moving forward at a rapid pace on the 2009 ZX-RR in readiness for a February debut in Sepang.

No official comment has yet been made by Kawasaki on the speculation concerning its MotoGP future.

In a recent interview with MCN, team manager Michael Bartholemy confirmed budget cuts had been enforced to counter the dramatic economic slowdown.

Speaking on how the credit crunch had impacted on Kawasaki and what it would mean for 2009, Bartholemy said: ?We have approached it in a different way. People might think that for us to be more competitive we need to be spending more money. But we have to spend the same money that we spent in 2008 because everybody will reduce its budget. I have not asked them for more money, but we have heard that some manufacturers are cutting their budgets by as much as 20 to 25 per cent. So if we keep the budget then that means automatically that we will be getting closer. The outcome is though we had a cut, but we have compensated for that and it will not affect the development budget, which is crucial for us to try and move forward.?
 

Vinterceptor

Been there, and had one
Club Sponsor
Replacement Regulations for 250cc Class as from 2011 (Moto2)


End of an era. Just read about this in the March edition of Two Wheel's Only magazine, but the article didn't go into very much detail.

Wonder if they will build complete new bikes specificaly for this event or use the existing Supersport machines which run at the WSB meets?? either way it will be a sad day to see the end of the 250 two stroke.
 

Oldbull

Registered User
old news Im afraid Vin, even tho you have been reading into the future, unless its March 2008 issue lol

Four-stroke 600cc bikes racing in 2010 as replacement for the current world 250 championship has moved a step closer with draft technical rules for the new class being drawn up
some more info here mate http://www.motorcyclenews.com/MCN/s...rulesfor600ccmotogpclassdrawnup/?&R=EPI-94564

Im all for it to be honest, the way Aprilla has been ripping teams off to rent a bike for the season is scandalous...

but I do understand about the end of an era :)-(

Nothing to stop you putting the 600 engine in the Aprilla chasis tho Vin..

:-0)
 

Vinterceptor

Been there, and had one
Club Sponsor
old news Im afraid Vin, even tho you have been reading into the future, unless its March 2008 issue lol

some more info here mate http://www.motorcyclenews.com/MCN/s...rulesfor600ccmotogpclassdrawnup/?&R=EPI-94564

Strewth...! it is old news innit. I received the March 2009 edition of TWO mag the other day, bristling with old news, why oh why do they do that and then put a futuristic date on it..? other news in same issue Rossi finished 12th in Welsh Rally and the demise of the Honda racing machine with the end of the F1 team.
Now where is that Aprillia 250 frame and shoe horn? :eek:
 

KUCIAR666

Registered User
its not all .....here you are more restrictions :
Electronics limited and Friday morning practices scrapped for 2009 season

Wednesday, 18 February 2009
Electronic systems will be partially limited in MotoGP and Friday morning practices removed from Grand Prix schedules as of the 2009 season following a Grand Prix Commission meeting in Geneva.
At a meeting of the Grand Prix Commission on Wednesday a number of rule changes have been made with immediate affect, ahead of the 2009 MotoGP World Championship.

At the headquarters of the F?d?ration Internationale de Motocyclisme in Geneva, Switzerland, in the presence of FIM president Vito Ippolito, the Grand Prix Commission ratified proposals put forward and agreed on unanimously by the MSMA in meetings held earlier this year in Japan and Malaysia.

The amendments to the Road Racing World Championship Grand Prix Regulations address issues raised over the cost of competing in the championship with regards to the 2009 MotoGP season and beyond.

As of the 2009 season Friday morning free practice sessions for all classes have been removed from the Grand Prix schedules and all MotoGP practice sessions (including qualifying) have been reduced to 45 minutes in length.

Electronic and hydraulic launch control systems and electronic suspension systems have been banned.

Furthermore, in the eight 2009 MotoGP World Championship races which follow the summer break, commencing with the 14th-16th August trip to the Czech track of Brno, each MotoGP rider will be restricted to the use of a maximum of five engines until the end of the season.

The FIM will formally announce the rule changes this afternoon.
 

KUCIAR666

Registered User
Hungarian MotoGP Round Officially Canceled
After countless rumors of problems surrounding construction of the track, it has finally been made official: there will be no Hungarian round of MotoGP at the Balatonring in 2009. Hungarian Development Minister Tam?s Suchman yesterday told Hungarian press agency that because the Spanish investors had missed the deadline by which they should have submitted a credit application required to help finance the circuit, the Hungarian GP will not take place at S?voly, where the Balatonring is to be built, in 2009.

Vicente Cotino Escriva, President of Sedesa, the group involved in building the circuit, said in a press statement that "the organizer of the Hungarian MotoGP Grand Prix is asking Dorna and the FIM to change the date of the Hungarian Grand Prix, to allow us to organize it in the spring of 2010, instead of September 2009."

Istv?n Gyenesei, the Hungarian Sport Minister, said "I voiced my concerns a month ago about the decreasing probability that the S?voly track would be finished on time. Unfortunately, the events of the past month have confirmed my fears that not very much has happened. I've done all I could to secure the Hungarian MotoGP race, and we are still looking at alternatives. We haven't given up on the race being organized this year, and maybe we could run it at the Hungaroring."

In response to this suggestion, Frank Thomas, Vice President of the Hungaroring Sport Zrt, said that having the race there "is physically possible, but we would have to take a number of steps very quickly."
 

KUCIAR666

Registered User
Rizla Suzuki MotoGP aids Australian bushfire charity

Publish Date: Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Rizla Suzuki MotoGP is putting its full weight behind an auction of exclusive experiences and rare motorcycle memorabilia in the Suzuki Victorian Bushfire Charity Auction, which starts at 20.00hrs local time (10.00hrsGMT) on Thursday 23rd April.

Over 25 items will go under the hammer in the 10-day auction, with net proceeds donated to the Australian Red Cross to help victims of the tragic Victorian Bushfires that struck Southern Australia late last year.

MotoGP enthusiasts can bid on three exclusive Rizla Suzuki MotoGP experiences donated by the team - in which they'll spend time behind the scenes and meet Team-stars Chris Vermeulen and Loris Capirossi. Suzuki's Australian star Vermeulen has also donated a pair of signed leathers he used in pre-season testing to the auction.

Suzuki Germany has donated a�fairing panel from a GSX-R1000 MotoGP replica, signed by Suzuki's MotoGP stars Vermeulen and Capirossi, to add to the MotoGP memorabilia on offer.

The MotoGP items feature alongside other lots signed by international Australian stars Chad Reed and Mat Mladin, and past Suzuki World Champions including Kevin Schwantz, Roger DeCoster and Joel Robert.

Memorabilia from Team Suzuki Alstare Brux, Suzuki's World Superbike Championship team, and local factory squads Team Joe Rocket Suzuki and Team Shift Motul Suzuki is also up for grabs.

The Suzuki Victorian Bushfire Charity Auction will be one of the last chances to make a contribution to the Australian Red Cross Victorian Bushfire Appeal, which has to date raised over AU$315 million for those affected by the Victorian bushfire tragedy.

Bidding opens at 20.00hrs local time (10.00hrsGMT) on Thursday 23rd April, with five-minute intervals scheduled between each listing to make it easy for enthusiasts who want to bid on more than one item.

The first item will close 10 days later, at 20.00hrs Australian time (10.00hrsGMT) on Sunday 3rd May, the day of the Spanish Grand Prix at Jerez, with the final item and auction scheduled to end at 22.15hrs Australian time (10.15hrsGMT).

Chris Vermeulen:

"It was such an awful event that the least I can do is to put my support behind Suzuki Australia's auction to raise money for the Bushfire Appeal. There were many terrible stories that we heard about the fires and if we can help in any way then we will. I think this is a great idea by the people at Suzuki Australia and they have put a lot of work into making this happen. I have donated some items to the auction and Rizla Suzuki MotoGP has also put its weight behind the auction by supplying some amazing items for anyone to bid on. I hope it raises a lot of money to help those affected by the fires - I will certainly be keeping an eye on how much everything goes for!"

Loris Capirossi:

"This was an awful tragedy that touched so many people in Australia. I am happy to put my full support behind this appeal and I hope we can help to raise as much money as possible for the victims of this event."


When the auction starts, items can be accessed by searching for the Seller ID 全uzukiAustralia' or by going directly to http://myworld.ebay.com.au/SuzukiAustralia/.
Further details and full list of items in the Suzuki Victorian Bushfire Charity Auction, proudly supporting the Australian Red Cross, can be found at http://www.suzukimotorcycles.com.au/
 
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