The Fall of Motogp. Small grids in the main event.?

Question

This is something that Micheal Scott a journalist for AMCN (Australian Motor Cycle News) put forward in the latest edition, considering that there were only 13 riders who made the journey during the Dutch TT. Is it time that for those at the top of Motogp and also those in charge of the big companies to look at putting more bikes on the grid.

Answer 1

Its a real shame. Dorna seem to be shooting themselves in the foot. The frequent rule changes are making it impossible for the smaller companies to keep up. Even large companies like Suzuki and Kawasaki cant afford to run more machines (or ask for too much money for satelite teams to run them). Add to that the bizarre decision from Dorna to take the TV rights from Eurosport! That's fine for those countries who's national TV stations will show it free to air, but there a lot of other European countries who wont get coverage now. In a time when some teams are struggling to get sponsorship, this decision that will effectively reduce viewing figures seems like a very bad move.

Conversely, WSBK seems to be going from strength to strength. More manufactures, large grids, close racing. People can watch the actual machines that they can go out and buy.

I think its sad, as motogp is still my favourite form of 2 wheel motorsport. But WSBK will end up being "the one to watch" as far as the viewing public are concerned.

Answer 2

Moto Gp is an expensive race series, many would be teams simply can't afford to compete.

look at team KR racing, podium contenders in 2005& 2006, then a weak year in 2007 and game over.

Same with Illmor, brilliant enginers, no money.

Answer 3

Unfortunately, I think that MotoGP will always have small grids until the rules change and reduces the cost of entering.If the rules were changed to allow the manufacturers to run super modified street bikes of 1000cc capacity, then there would be more teams entering.BMW has stated that it is too expensive to develop a motoGP bike from scratch, but would enter if they could run heavily modified road bikes, KTM have stated the same thing.

It's a pity Honda has so much clout with the rule makers of MotoGP, as they are the only company who want the MotoGP class to stay as it is, everyone else would prefer to run bikes based on their road bikes.

I think allowing the manufacturers to base their race bikes on road bikes would be a great benefit to the sport.Allow them to trial electronic riding aids, carbon fibre frames etc without the expense of building completely new engines.Also allowing different capacities for different engine configurations would be more appealing to the manufacturers as well...1000cc for 4cyls, 1100cc for 3cyls and 1200cc for twins would make more sense as certain manufacturers are known for these engines..Ducati make twins, Triumph make triples etc.

The day that there are 12 different manufacturers on the grid would be a great day indeed.

Honda,Yamaha,Suzuki,Kawasaki,Ducati,MV Augusta,Triumph,BMW,KTM,Aprillia,Benelli... Guzzi

Answer 4

13 riders did not make the trip to Assen. There was 17.

If you look here : http://www.motogp.com/en/Results+Statist... you will find 3 riders failed to finish, and Caprex failed to start.

As for more bikes on the grid, there is just no budget it for it.

Team Kr , Illmor , Aprillia , Moriwaki even Blata & WCM have pulled out due to money and sponsors.

If only a small team I.E KR had a 10% of say Merc Mclaren F1 budget, they could race for 2 years. Im sure our good freind, Mr J.G from F1 forum will agree with that.

As said above, real shame.

Answer 5

Like Julian G says,   Sad but true