View Full Version : MotoGP Rule Change
TDAdams
06-06-2005, 11:11 AM
Did everyone catch that little bombshell from FIM?? MotoGP becomes an 800cc series in 2007. I wonder what Bologna thinks of that??
Ya, I heard that too. What's the deal? Why? Is it a NASCAR restrictor plate type rule but for MotoGP?
lll0228
06-06-2005, 12:22 PM
It will become a 749 vs GXSR 750? I don't think anyone else makes any 800cc bike.
kamran
06-06-2005, 12:47 PM
They will not be using production bikes anyway. These are mostly "one of" bikes. There are no rules for these bike being production bikes. Like Hondas are 5 cylinder bikes and not four from what I understand. And the Ducs are double V-twins or basically two V-twins put together...
So I'm sure they'll come up with something interesting... may be they'll go back to two stroke engines!!! :scared10:
kamran
06-06-2005, 01:40 PM
http://www.motogp.com/en/motogp/news_info/news_info_14469_1.htm?menu=news
FIM announces new technical rules for 2007
News, 04/06/05
The Grand Prix Commission today announced various modifications to the Road Racing World Championship Grand Prix Regulations.
The announcement was made following a meeting attended by Messrs, Carmelo Ezpeleta (Dorna, Chairman), Claude Danis (FIM), Sito Pons (IRTA), Takanao Tsubouchi (MSMA), and Mr Paul Butler (Secretary of the meeting).
The new stipulations specify that a rider cannot stop in the pits when observing a ride-through penalty and also bans the use of two-way radio voice communication.
New regulations regarding the engine rules will not be enforced until 2007. They mainly address the reduction of the engine capacity in the MotoGP class, which will be reduced from 990cc to 800cc. The new rules will no longer allow 2-strokes engines in the MotoGP class. The FIM also announced that the tank fuel capacity will be set at 21 litres.
martino
06-06-2005, 04:12 PM
They might be doing it to bring the race to the sane speed levels (not that I don't enjoy watching them race at 300+ km/h) and put more into the racer skill levels rather than the bikes themselves (they cost millions of $$$). They do the same thing with F1 - just simpler - by decreasing the downforce.
So, this still doesn't say why the reduction in CC's. Perhaps safety concerns? In would argue it is not to level the playing field. Val has proven the fastest, best or most expensive bikes won’t win world championships. It’s the rider!
TDAdams
06-06-2005, 04:53 PM
My guess is that FIM bought the theory that reducing displacment will narrow the gap between engine technology and tire technology. Right now, the argument goes, even these awesome tires from Michelin, Bridgestone, Pirelli, Dunlop, etc. are sometimes overwhelmed by sheer horsepower. Dropping the displacement may limit horsepower and torque. For a while anyway.
CINDESMO
06-06-2005, 08:25 PM
I'm not sure that it is fair to assume that the cc reduction is a shock to the racing teams just because it is to the general public. Two seasons ago most of the riders said that they thought the speeds were too high. If it is hard to hold on at 150mph, it must be punishing at 205mph. Does it make for better racing? Doubtful. The bikes have more technology than ever and it sounds like there will be more. Semi automatic gearboxes, traction control and computer controls are already here. This means that it could become about who has the most money and once Vale retires it could be the Honda show. :scared10:
Cind I will agree with that. 200+ is not necessary for racing to be exciting. Now with the cc reduction it may, as you said, come down to who has the most money for R&D to make an 800cc bike as fast as technology will allow. It would be safe to assume most if not all major manufacturers have already got things in the works for the rule change. It will be interesting to see how this does NOT level the playing field. Lesser skilled riders being competitive due to very fast bikes and the truly talented pulling away from the field based on their skills. When is Val retiring anyway...never!? :D
kamran
06-07-2005, 09:42 AM
When is Val retiring anyway...never!? :D
...I sure hope never! Half the reason I watch MotoGP is for the show, emotion, and the entertainment he puts on! :D
I agree, Rossi is a great champion. Good for the sport and a good sportsman.
CINDESMO
06-07-2005, 11:34 AM
The man himself has said 2006 is his last season on two wheels. At this time I wouldn't say that more technology is making MotoGP competitive, I see the opposite. Where are Suzuki and Kawasaki? Aprilia gave up all together. We are blessed that Rossi is out there on a Yamaha otherwise I think it would be very boring. Or as Rossi would say very very boring!
He's a quitter!!! Val should bring the Ducati to glory.... :p
CINDESMO
06-07-2005, 11:46 AM
That would be sweet.
It would be so cool to see what Val could do on the Ducati! I would almost bet my life he would win another world championship!
91aztec
06-07-2005, 02:56 PM
Unfortunately I think Valentino will be replacing Schumaker and be driving F1's for Ferrari within the next couple of years. It would be amazing to contemplate how much money Ducati would offer Valentino to ride for them.
Think so!? I thought Schumaker had a lifetime contract with Ferrari? Is Schu planning on retiring anytime soon?
kamran
06-07-2005, 03:10 PM
Yup, they have actually been hinting around that F1 racing might be the next logical step for Rossi now that he is maturing, and been on top of MotoGP. He already does some rally racing for fun...
91aztec
06-07-2005, 03:11 PM
Ferrari's big wig said that anytime Valentino wants a job driving for him he has it. Just seems that he is so completely dominant that he needs something new to challenge him. The video of him driving around Michael Jordon in Spain last year in the new BMW shows that he has some skills in a car. Would hate see him leave two wheels but fun to watch him take on a new challenge.
kamran
06-07-2005, 03:12 PM
Think so!? I thought Schumaker had a lifetime contract with Ferrari? Is Schu planning on retiring anytime soon?
If you are as cold as "ice", determined as hell, live, breath, eat F1 racing and you are making $80 mil a year... would you retire? ;)
CINDESMO
06-07-2005, 05:43 PM
Rossi started out racing four wheeled machines so one might say this is a logical step. Maybe he'll have a couple of comebacks - like MJ.
charon
06-07-2005, 06:20 PM
Ferrari's big wig said that anytime Valentino wants a job driving for him he has it. Just seems that he is so completely dominant that he needs something new to challenge him. The video of him driving around Michael Jordon in Spain last year in the new BMW shows that he has some skills in a car. Would hate see him leave two wheels but fun to watch him take on a new challenge.
Rossi took the Ferrari F1 car out for a few laps once at the invitation of the Ferrari team.
http://www.motoring.co.za/index.php?fSectionId=759&fArticleId=411987
Jim is Cool
06-08-2005, 08:29 AM
In a way it makes sense. The power output just keeps going up, but it's getting to the point that the manufactures are having to detune the engines due to lack of grip etc. The tire/contact patch just can't cope.
I think the 800cc rule will be interesting. Just sleeve them down. and let the tuners start working again.
BTW, I've heard rumors that the some of the current machinery have been known to put out over 240bhp.
TDAdams
06-08-2005, 04:36 PM
I wonder if changing the MotoGP capacity will have a ripple effect through to the superbikes. It is possible manufacturers will not want the top production classes racing with larger displacement engines than the GP class even if everyone knows the GP class has more hp and is otherwise more sophisticated? Are we seeing the beginning of the end for liter bikes? (long live the 749 :D ) As the saying almost goes.... sell on Monday what gets raced on Sunday...
No we are not seeing the end of anything. WAY back when MotoGP was 500GP it did not influence manufacturers from shying away from making litre bikes. They are two very different machines...and the GP technology will only trickle down through the ranks. I don’t think SBK racing tech trickles up but I might be wrong.
CINDESMO
06-08-2005, 05:27 PM
The superbike horsepower output is considerably less than MotoGP bikes and I think that the bikes are heavier. The rumors in the racing magazines all say that the WSBK Ducati will be 1079cc in the future. I have been seeing 250hp quoted for the Ducati GP bike. Darn silly!
Jim is Cool
06-08-2005, 06:27 PM
World Super Bikes have about as much to do with GP bikes as Bicycles do to Motorcycles.
The technologies, parts etc are about as far removed as you can get, in fact, Dorna rules state that you can't have any engine parts from a "mass produced" bike. Last year a bike or two were disqualified for running a mofified Yamaha R1 crank.
This is far from the end, just another chapter.
TDAdams
06-08-2005, 07:08 PM
good point but the 500cc class also was two stroke technology that had no serious street application at all. The game has changed a bit. Now, you see manufacturers making obvious efforts to pattern street bikes after MotoGP at least in look. Honda with the RCV, e.g. and even Ducati has promised a limited edition Desmosedici. On the technology side, how long did it take for slipper clutches to work their way from MotopGP to superbikes to street bikes? One season? I tend to agree that superbikes will always have a place because they are obviously so much more like the bikes that real people ride in real world. That said, I think the industry will use MotoGP more and more to showcase styling, materials, and even cutting edge technology.
Jim is Cool
06-08-2005, 09:03 PM
Agreed.
Think of F1=MotoGP And Touring Cars=SuperBike.
How many V12's do you see on the road turning 18 thousand RPM? that would be SWEEET!
Also, back in the day, the 500 class were all 4 strokes.
Surtees, Hailwood and Ago rode the MV 4 stroke to many wins, the 2 Strokes came in and finally won the power battle.
vBulletin® v3.8.4, Copyright ©2000-2010, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.