Moto GP - tyre rule. Good or bad?

Question

The tyre rule in Moto GP has been a real talking point in 2007 but what is your take on it ? I think the rule is a bad thing for the simple reason that this is supposed to be the pinnacle of proto type motorcycle racing and that by restricting the tyres it has taken away more than it has added. Yes tyres are part of a bike and a d**n important one but for that very reason I don't want a choice made on a Friday when it is 30 degrees at the track and the guys select the tyre allocation for the weekend to then effect the race on the Sunday when it suddenly hits 17 degrees.

It is not possible to use a production based bike, engine or whatever in Moto GP (remember the WCM attempt based on heavily modified Yamaha production crank cases) thus pointing to the fact that this is racing for top technology. The tyres are part of that and it would not detract from it to allow the teams to have access to as many compounds and sets over the weekend as can be supplied.

Answer 1

I agree with you that they should be able to chuck as many tyre's as they want to a team.

However, the situation there was before the 2007 season did provide Michelin with an unfair advantage. For purely logistical reasons they were able to fly specially made up to the Minuit compounds for their chosen few riders. (I'm not sure which riders were in that exclusive club). In the end, its what made them relatively uncompetitive for 2007. Bridgestone needed tyres that worked over a wider spectrum of conditions. Michelin were caught with their pants down.

Hopefully, the increased allocation for 2008 will redress the balance a little. I'm all for letting them have as many as they want, as long as they don't fly in specials the night before a race. (Now if Bridgestone had a state of the art factory in Europe, then i wouldn't mind that either)

Answer 2

i agree

Answer 3

I agree to some degree.

One of the main reasons they put a limit on the number of tyres allowed was to give the smaller a fighting chance.

It was a shame about the old Blata WCM. It would have been a great starting base for new teams. Like what the Roc Yamaha's where in late 80's early 90's.

The main thing with tyres that I'm happy is that we dont have the one make rule.

Now that would have been really bad for the sport.

Answer 4

Hey Shuggie,

Well said, I don't believe that "levelling the playing field" is what racing is about. Life is not fair, things are not equal, some one has to win and letting the other teams "catch up" -  what a load of bollocks!

I thought (perhaps wrongly) that the original restrictions were put in place as Michelin (and Rossi) were kickin' everyones butt, because they [Michelin] threw all their resources at getting the perfect tyre for the circuit/rider/surface conditions and weather etc. and the other teams didn't like it -well tough titties! That, as you say, is what proto type racing is about!

I do feel that whilst the organisers have to try and keep as many teams and companies interested in racing; they may have shot themselves in the foot with this tyre business as it was the main topic of discussion all 2007, and looks to stay that way for 2008!

Answer 5

Bad, for the reasons you specified. Moto GP has a heavy set on taking bikes to the next level and so it should... Its not just about the rider, its about the engineers, mechanics, and creators of the bikes.

If they only want to see who the better biker is they should separate it from Moto GP and give all the racers the same bike based solely on the restrictions of the governing body and produced by all the teams engineers... (I think that would be quite interesting to see... but not at the expense of MOTO GP)

There are factors involved in MOTO GP that make it a little more interesting and are part of making a Bike better for the individual rider, and you can see the strong points and weak points of a team, bike design and therefore see the tactical planning which is what makes it a team sport.

They should leave it the h**l alone. Eventually the creators, engineers and mechanics of each of the teams will have to put to one side what they spent years learning and become glorified production line workers... this would then be a singles sport.

Oh, and not forgetting the safety aspect... since when have we ever been able to get the frickin weather reports right...

Answer 6

Totally agree with all above, although (even as a Rossi fan) I didnt agree with the "Fly-ins" although anyone could have done it. I think there should be an unrestricted amount of tyres available and they shouldnt have to choose a small amount of tyres and qualifiers on the Thursday before race day without even having placed a bike on the track!

Answer 7

I agree with you on this one, I can't add any comments because you seem to have said it all. I was a scrutineer for several years (stopped in 2000) and have seen other restrictions placed in other racing series (fuel in British Superbikes  -  the make of fuel that could be used was specified, and was several times the price of standard unleaded) and I don't believe that it benefits the sport or makes it any fairer.