HRC test their 2012 MotoGP prototype on Suzuka circuit – MotoGP Update
Honda ran their private test session at the Suzuka circuit on April 14-15, to test the 2012 prototype machine for the upcoming season. MotoGP has new regulations for the season’s campaign, in which engine displacement capacity is raised to 1000cc from 800cc.
The big-bang engine has returned after three seasons of replacement.
With few details revealed by official media, HRC was at the track with their factories test riders, Kousuke Akiyoshi and former 500cc winner Tady Okada, who rode the upcoming generation of ‘RCV’ (officially un-named).
Recently, Ducati has done their 2012 prototype testing at Jerez circuit, just after the Gran Premio bwin de Espana. Initially, the Desmosedici GP12 was tested by the factory’s test riders. The bike was later given to Factory team GP riders, Valentine Rossi
and Nicky Hayden, who tested the bike on April 8-9, at the following weekend of the Spanish round. HRC then decided to give their machine a veiled test with no high-profile contribution.
The moment when the Japanese factory will give their new machine in the hands of their Repsol Honda trio riders, Casey Stoner, Dani Pedrosa and Andrea Dovizioso has not been decided yet.
At a book launch in Spain, Yamaha Factory team-rider and defending World Champion Jorge Lorenzo also revealed that he will be testing a new engine after the Italian GP round. Yamaha team-mate, Ben Spies is also going to join Lorenzo to test the 2012 M1,
immediately after the Mugello event on July 3.
With all factories gearing up for development of the 2012 prototypes, Suzuki is not yet clear about their next season campaign. Rizla Suzuki team has cut-down their rider’s squad to a solo man to participate in the GP level, which also suspends their decision
of running in the new 1000cc era.
The new power plant regulation is limited to a maximum 1000cc, but it is yet to see whether GP teams will use the full ‘cc’ capacity, because it also restricts to a limited size of cylinder-bore which holds the width of the piston. When implied, the strokes
will get longer and actually lower the number of revolutions of the engine.
A new category of the teams called ‘Claiming Ruled Teams’ will be seen on the grid, increasing the number of competitors for the 2012 season. The CRTs will have a number of concessions, when compared to factory teams. New categorised teams will have more
fuel capacity for the race and also 12 engines for the whole season.
Companies such as BMW and Aprilia, who will not participate in the CRT’s category, will have a relaxation to use nine engines instead of six engines for their debut season.
Tags: