Yawn.......More about Moto GP tyres.?

Question

Bridgestone boss Hiroshi Yamada blames Valentino Rossi for the control tyre proposal. See http://www.motorcyclenews.com/MCN/sport/sportresults/mcn/2007/october/oct1-7/oct0307motogpbridgestoneblamevalentinorossiforonemaketyre/?&R=EPI-95111

Who do you think is to blame, and what do you think the decission will be after Sepang?

Answer 1

It's seems to be a bit strange that a one tyre rule would instantly favour Bridgestone, I fail to see any logic to it. The whole point of race competition is to push the boundaries of design and technological barriers. A one make rule is only going to water down the spectacle and push Moto GP down the same path as the now ever-so-boring F1 cars.

If they remove healthy competition, they remove the whole point of racing.

Rossi and Pedrosa aren't the bad boys in this scenario, I think it's a determined push by Bridgestone to eliminate opposition, which is sad. All change after Sepang? I doubt it, I can't see a change of that scope till the new season.

Answer 2

Hey Neil,

Here's the edited answer I gave Wiggysan when Dorna proposed this at Motegi:

" I'm sure (even with my memory) that only a week or so back, there was a quote saying that nothing will be changed for the 2008 season.

I think the man [Ezpeleta] is show boating and want's people to think he's open to change and listening to public opinion - tyre choice has probably been the most consistently talked about aspect of this season - and in a year which launched a completely new bike (well 800cc - mostly new I guess)

I think this is a clever bit of mis-information and will give everyone a chance to "S**t or get off the pot" as we say round here. They (Michelin especially) will have to either put their hands in the air and give up or get on with developing better rubber - kind of a "put up or shut up" situation he has now placed the manufacturers (and riders) in. Smart thinking!

I do think Julian Ryder has hit the nail on the head when he said it is just a distraction from the racing.

Like you Wiggy, I think a one tyre rule would be disasterous - this is supposed to be the cutting edge of motorsport, not pop down your local bike shop and buy a set tomorrow! You need more companies involved in development, not less!

P.S. Do you think it would be Bridgestone who got it then? Is the timing too much of a coincidence?  " end quote.

I'm not surprised the guy from Bridgestone doesn't want the "business"  he'd have the whole mob bitchin' at him week in, week out instead of just his riders! This is only their first year at the top and it would be a huge strain to go to full production - and no doubt bad for developmental reasons.

As for who is the culprit- I think when someone with a high profile like Rossi says something, people listen. He's been fairly restrained compared to Edwards, who earlier in the season was slagging his tyres off to anyone who would listen (including in his regular column in T.W.O.) but no doubt - it's been a hot potato all season.

I don't see there being any major changes for 2008. Who wouldn't want to be in Motogp? (apart from Foggy that is!!)

Answer 3

I think GREED is to blame.

The " MOTOGP "  [brand] has a worth of 650 billion US dollars at the moment ( as of debts of 100 million US when that short PRlCK Bennie " Im too rich" Eccelstone wipped his hands with it)

This is a whole greed / money thing.

As you guys well know, I have no time for the W.S.B circus. Yes I think To52land is a legend, but the championship is dead as fried chicken........

........ However, them DlCKHEADS over at Flammini are so rich now, due to the deals with Pirellli, Castrol Magneto Merrili and Mang Tools that they dont know what to do with it.

I would not be surprised to learn that there is some massive back handers getting sorted out here.

Also, [ I must be wrong about this ] but has Fiat Yammy signed there 2008 contract with Michelin?

Answer 4

While watching the last race, I heard that both Rossi and Pedrosa were the one who wanted this tyre control. They kind of had their right to want this because they had really bad experience with Michelin....

If your tyres were helping you finish last, you would be wanting new tyres too :)

I actually think that it will get boring if they go to only one type of tyres but the riders have their right to want this...

Although I'm not sure that this will happen, it looks like Brigestone don't want to be the only guys who provide the tyres and Michelin want to stay in the game.

Answer 5

I wonder if its supposed to start a bidding war. all propaganda just to see what kind of figures are thrown around. the thing I want to know is where will the development come from if everyone has the same rubber. There will be no need to improve what they already have. and as I have said before, all tyre companies lose because there will be no need to mention them. loss of advertising = loss of revenue.  I hope it never happens.

Answer 6

I dont know who's to blame but everyone seems to think its honda, pedrosa and rossi. All the manufacturers have said that they couldnt support the entire grid if the single tyre rule came into place. So for that reason, I would be surprised if there was a one tyre rule next year

I was in favour of the one tyre rule until michelin pulled their socks up and seemed to have leveled the playing field. All I want is exciting racing and for Rossi to win the Championship (but not all the races).

I am hoping that it stays the same and the racing is closer next year. :)