A simple idea to help improve the health of MotoGP; require all manufacturers to sell production versions of their grand prix prototype.
Kawasaki's withdraw from MotoGP has prompted a range of suggestions to help improve the health (read grid size) in MotoGP, which could feature just 17 bikes in 2009 pending the outcome of efforts to hand the ZX-RRs to a privateer team.
In order to help retain the remaining four MotoGP manufacturers (Honda, Ducati, Yamaha and Suzuki) and attract new future entries it is necessary to know what MotoGP offers manufacturers.
There are arguably two main reasons why a factory might want a MotoGP presence:
1) As a proving ground for the development of future technology.
2) As a marketing exercise to improve brand awareness and prestige.
The problem is that neither of these attributes is unique to MotoGP - Superbike championships can offer both (to a lesser degree) for a fraction of the cost.
But MotoGP's biggest problem is this: If a factory enters MotoGP it will spend tens of millions of dollars a year designing, developing and racing a motorcycle it will never sell - at least in the case of Honda, Yamaha, Suzuki and (previously) Kawasaki.
That is a hard case to put to a board of directors during difficult financial times - particularly if track success is not forthcoming - and probably prompted Aprilia, BMW and, in future, KTM to chose WSBK instead.
However Ducati - the smallest and most commercially aware of the MotoGP manufacturers - was quick to realise that, in order to justify a MotoGP presence, it needed to make money directly from its Desmosedici, even in the 'good times'.
Ducati, which entered MotoGP in 2003, unveiled the Desmosedici RR (road replica) in 2006 with the first deliveries made the following year. By June of 2007 Ducati had received 1,200 orders for the machine, which at the time was worth around 68 million Euros (£46 million) in business. Each RR costs around 55,000-60,000 Euros (depending on time of order).
So, in an effort to drive down costs and increase MotoGP's business relevance, why not require all MotoGP manufacturers to either:
1) Build at least 100 road-legal replicas based as closely as possible on their grand prix prototype (technical similarities and allowable differences as per the Desmosedici RR) for public sale by the start of the following season. The aim of this would be to limit the cost of each MotoGP machine, with the added bonus of a sales income.
2) Or, for manufacturers wishing to use MotoGP to influence their mass-produced Superbikes, prove that all significant parts/technology from their grand prix prototype (cylinder configuration, valve actuation, chassis and gearbox materials etc) have already been transferred, or will be transferred by the following season, from MotoGP to at least 3,000 production bikes. Significant parts/technology will need to be transferred to a road bike once it has been used in MotoGP for 16 races (allowing room for experimentation and the dropping of unsuccessful technology).
Acceptance into the following season's championship could be dependent on successfully completing either of the above.
Rule changes would doubtless be needed, but Ducati's ability to successfully adapt its GP racer for road use proves it could be done. It would also stop investment in technology unsuitable to road bikes (such as pneumatic valves).
Such rules might also help strengthen MotoGP's position against WSBK since MotoGP would be showcasing future road machines, a more financially viable definition of prototype racing than at present, whilst WSBK would continue to feature bikes already on public sale.
There would probably eventually be some overlap, with the MotoGP-derived machines eventually appearing in WSBK, but as long as the bikes were raced in MotoGP first (and were therefore prototypes) this should not be seen as a problem.
Other suggestions, such as a tightening of the technical regulations, have already been widely suggested and would probably be more effective in the short term, but how do you think MotoGP should respond to Kawasaki's departure and the global financial crises in general? Leave your comments below...
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Moto gp,is the best sport in the world.I agree that it should never change,proto type motorcyclers are fantastic in a class of there own.Premier class,l would pay top money to see all my favorite riders...The only thing that l would like to see change is Traction Control,l think this is wrong,l like to see riders push thereselves to the limit,not an added on extra.I hate it when people say anyone can ride one of these bikes.As proven in Valencia with that F1 guy.K.Roberts,B.Sheene,F.Spencer,E.Lawson,W.Rainey,K.Sc hwants,M.Doohan,all class in there own right.I enjoy the sport because not everyone can handle these machines,until the last few years.Moto gp is exciting please keep it that way...
I agree in th emain with Kirk Harrington that it would be a great race series of complete prototype 600cc bikes as the supersport races are more competative in WSB than the Superbike races are. To geat great and total races that is inclusive of the whole grid would bring the spetical of MOTOGP back to the pure racing that it should be. If the 990's come back, then the closeness of WSB would not only be obvious in 2010, but road bikes are getter closer to WSB standard each year that passes that the class of prototypes could be lost. At the same tracks and within 2 secs a lap of eachover, keeping higher capacity MOTOGP bikes running would losse all creditability.
If you sell a "proto-type" machine then it is no longer a proto-type. Isn't the basis of GP racing proto-types? The easiest way to keep MotoGP alive is to cut out 125/250 classes and piggy-back the MotoGP championship on the coat-tail of "local" championships. Work the schedule out where GP will hit tracks that WSBK, AMA, BSB, Aus SBK, Japan SBK book. Just like the AMA does with MotoGP at Laguna Seca- MotoGP is the headliner- AMA Superbike, FX and RedBull Rookies are the support. It will DRASTICALLY reduce cost by letting the "support" sanctioning championships be involved. I wouldn't say "freeze" the technology, but take away one element- traction control. The Corse teams won't seek more power if the rider can't control what is already underneath him. If you need a compromise between power and rider then do the unthinkable: Suspend R&D for two seasons on the 800s and develop the 600 GP bike with a rev ceiling at 21k then downsize the bikes one more time. After that set a written moratorium in place that doesn't change the size of the motor for a decade.
In the end this is all pointless, however. WSBKs are generating the same power as the proto-types and they are much cheaper to develop and maintain. GP will be in pitiful shape in 2010 because Suzuki will drop out at the end of 2009 leaving the field dreadfully short. This will absolutely grind GP to a hault because no one will pay to see 15 bikes on a grid for the weekend. Honda, Yamaha and Ducati would sooner suspend GP operations before they run a short field.
They'll (DORNA and Corse teams) pay high profile teams to place riders in different championships in order "house" their riders on bikes that will be paid for out of DORNA funds while MotoGP re-groups to become a leaner meaner chamionship.
It's all just a guess, however. But the way things are going it shouldn't suprise you when it happens.
Build road going reps of MOTOGP bike eh? Was this suggested by a WSB punit? It's the same as homolgation rules in WSB "MotoGP to at least 3,000 production bikes", dear dear, has he not understood prototype? The howls of dersision can alrasy be head at he halls of those wanting to ban bikes, "what m'lud? 240bhp, 160kgs, how fast was I goijng, dunno, it ain't gotta speedo!"
Why cant the organisers leave well alone! The riders would not favour going back to the 990's if they didn't feel safe doing so. All the works teams just need to trim the corporate side of things as this eats away a good slice of the teams budget.
I thought the idea of MotoGP was to create a unique one off race machine within certain boundaries. Dont let Kawasaki's withdrawal be in vain! Erta & the FIM you have been warned!
Why cant the organisers leave well alone! The riders would not favour going back to the 990's if they didn't feel safe doing so. All the works teams just need to trim the corporate side of things as this eats away a good slice of the teams budget.
I thought the idea of MotoGP was to create a unique one off race machine within certain boundaries. Dont let Kawasaki's withdrawal be in vain! Erta & the FIM you have been warned!
Lose all the GPS, and rider aids. Factories should build more bikes specifically to lease to new teams and offer them the tech support they would need. And just start trimming the fat in the paddock in a common sense way. AND don't let the Manufactures make the rules! Huh? Really? Where else does that happen successfully? That's right...nowhere. You can't let the kids tell the parents what to do.
It just seems like a cop out,What I've read it seems just like another wsbk scheme. OK times are hard then Stop for now, then pick up when the climate improves. It would allow the manufactures to fully support their other motorcycle ventures. After all we are all tightening our belts.
Its just too expensive... all the other idea are just window dressing.
Cut all the corperate entertaining and the other paddock jollies and you might be getting some where.
In reality all you need to have.... is the bikes, the riders, the mechanic and spares and some way of getting the team and bikes to the circuits.
Who prevents the manufacturers from selling prototypes today? if it was beneficial they would have done so years ago. The same goes for minimal quantity - if it is benificial they would build as much as they can.
Good idea, road going replicas, lets call it, let me think ah yes WSB !
Motogp does not need restrictions, things like restricting engine and chasis development are pure acts of stupidity and a clear lack of ideas.
Motogp does not need restrictions, things like restricting engine and chasis development are pure acts of stupidity and a clear lack of ideas.
Ideas, Ideas, what ideas? The leaders of the pack, the riders should get more input into the decision making. When seven of the current grid are calling for the 990cc bikes to be brought back, why are the organisors not listening? They have instead formed another money crippling program called moto2 which will pull resources and sponsors into the deep financial crisis. Why, an old timer once said "don't fix what aint broken", yet the FIM and IRTA keep fidling with rules and regulations.
If you want to fix it, cut extra costs, the hidden costs. Why did Kawasaki spend 5 million dollars on promotions and catering services last year for VIP guests? Why do the bikes need so many electonic aids? We should ask, where will it end? This current batch of brainless ideas has to end somewhere. And perhaps it ends with the class being stripped of it championship format. So, bin the stupid politics, revert back to a winning formula and exciting riding styles, remove the electronics, encourage engine leasing from the likes of Honda and co. When riders become dis-illusioned with the racing and format, they leave. Rossi has already stated he would consider moving to WSB for a better racing environment. How many other riders will it take to voice their thoughts about the rubbish racing environment in motogp before IRTA start to panic?
in theory this would be a fantastic idea ...esp if we could turn back the clock ten years and all get on hands on an NSR500 hehehehe .....BUT the minimal production run ? would that not just turn it into superbikes ? RC45 anyone ?
Nah leave motogp alone.. it was bad enuff they stopped the 500`s
Very good ideas ,i also think that supplying bikes to each countries impoters would maybe get more bikes on the the grid and improve the racing.I must say that as a long term fan of motogp/grand prix racing my interest is waning ,i miss going to a big international meeting where all the big teams would be racing up against privateers .
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