The end of MotoGP?

[sTD]

http://www.asphaltandrubber.com/racing/san-carlo-honda-gresini-crt-motogp-2012/#more-26502

Suzuki's out, Pramac's down to one bike, Honda's cut a factory bike, and now Gresini cuts a bike to go CRT racing.  That leaves what, 2 Ducs, 2 Yams, 2 Honders, 1 Gresini, 1 Pramac, 1 Cardion, 1 Aspar, 1 LCR = 11 'real' MotoGP bikes?  Edwards, arguably one of the best development riders in the sport, quits to go CRT racing, saying the writing's on the wall for prototypes?

I thought MotoGP was supposed to be about the fastest, baddest bikes imaginable?  It's already watered down with a spec tire, forcing everyone into making a me-too chassis, and now we're going to see basically a grid defecting to pseudo-Superbikes?  The factories gotta be thinking, "Why spend tens of millions on a pure MotoGP bike when we could just drop our existing Superbike motor in a mildly-modified stock, or even cookie-cutter custom chassis and go 'MotoGP' racing?"

Is that where the class is headed?

Moto2 bikes are seconds slower per lap than World Supersport bikes on the same circuits.  And CRT bikes are basically a similar thing, so....... CRT bikes could very likely end up slower than WSB machines??  Like, dude, what's the point?

CRT bikes are irrelevant, as are spec tires, to what's supposed to be the cutting edge class of racing.  I don't buy the "we're cutting costs" BS either.  Ducati's spent an enormous stack of million-dollar bills only to arrive at the fact that they should've just copied the cookie-cutter Japanese frame, because that's what the spec tires are designed for.  Exactly how did that save Ducati money???  And everyone on the grid racing slow, custom Superbikes???  Really, what's the point?

Preziozi and Stoner have both gone on record saying that CRT is BS, and not why either of them race.

There are ways to curtail costs and not stifle innovation: The RPM limits and max number of engines per season are a good start... lower both.  Dump the stupid spec tire rule.  Raising the minimum weight, and increasing testing opportunities (which the FIM just did).  Raise the fuel capacity... it's a race, not a Greenpeace parade!  Privateer teams get an extra 1500rpm, 3 more motors, and maybe 5 kilos less minimum weight?  Manufacturers that placed 4th or lower the previous year get an extra 1000rpm.  Factory teams get a fee concession for every privateer bike on the grid.

[scout]

I read the same thing this morning!!!  The Suzuki was very competitive, they also had RdP that was begging to be signed.  I can't understand it, it has to be a $ thing.   As if they are not making enough money already.   If you can only get 3 manufacturers to race you are going to lose your fan base very quickly!  WSBK is much better to watch after 5 laps anyway.   

[Scotty Bob]

The end for one motogp !!!!!!!

New Texas Track ground to a halt no cash $$$$

http://www.autoweek.com/article/20111116/FREE/111119900

[scout]

I was wanting to put that on the calender for 2013.  Now......  holding pattern.  Kind like that burnette that was supposed to be with the 1199

[Grifo]

Lmao!

[sTD]

Correction, now it's a whole 12 prototypes in 2012, with Stefan Bradl riding an LCR Honda

[screaminss]

 Okay. What's the deal with the CRT bikes? I mean, are they a new class in the series such as Moto2?

 Sorry to pose a stupid question  , but I'm sure I'm not the only one reading this thread that doesn't know the story. Someone care to shed some light on this? Or perhaps I'll do  bit of a search on the Gp site. 

[GRUBBY]

It's "claiming rules" something or another that allows something like privateers to race with the big boys from the way I understood it. I want to stay that would it would be premier class for factory, satellite and crt bikes on the same grid.

[roadrunner]

Okay. What's the deal with the CRT bikes? I mean, are they a new class in the series such as Moto2?

 Sorry to pose a stupid question  , but I'm sure I'm not the only one reading this thread that doesn't know the story. Someone care to shed some light on this? Or perhaps I'll do  bit of a search on the Gp site. 

This article can help to understand why they are introducing and what a CRT bike is.
http://moto-racing.speedtv.com/article/motogp-noyes-notebook-what-is-a-crt-pt-i/

Cheers

[scout]

I have read the article and I understand (not completely) the rules.  I feel as if the bottom line is that they want more bikes to run in the premier class.  This is GREAT but they have already said that these bikes are already 2-3 seconds slower than the factory bikes.  I have always felt that MotoGP should be unlimited except for engine size.  If a guy wants to Shinko slicks let'em .  If a guy can run well over 200 mph on 803cc let him, i fell as if one day this technology may make it down to the consumer.  Think of paddle shifters in cars and F1.

[Dave]

Please excuse my absolute newbie knowledge with racing as I quite literally know eff-all.

Why is the motoGP so popular when riders are on 800cc and the superbikes are able to go up to 1200cc?

I think I understand the motoGP bikes are more prototypes and the superbikes need to be more stock.  Are the superbikes way faster then the motoGP bikes or about the same as they are subjected to less tinkering?

Again, I am coming from a tabula rasa point of view and would appreciate an education.

Cheers

Dave

[screaminss]

This article can help to understand why they are introducing and what a CRT bike is.
http://moto-racing.speedtv.com/article/motogp-noyes-notebook-what-is-a-crt-pt-i/

Cheers

Well explained, although a bit over my head in technical terms.

[docholiday]

Please excuse my absolute newbie knowledge with racing as I quite literally know eff-all.

Why is the motoGP so popular when riders are on 800cc and the superbikes are able to go up to 1200cc?

I think I understand the motoGP bikes are more prototypes and the superbikes need to be more stock.  Are the superbikes way faster then the motoGP bikes or about the same as they are subjected to less tinkering?

Again, I am coming from a tabula rasa point of view and would appreciate an education.

Cheers

Dave

Moto GP bikes are faster than superbikes.  The two series raced at the same circuit 6 times this year.  At every one the fastest GP bike was faster then the fastest superbike.  For instance, at Silverstone pole times were

Moto GP             Stoner   2:02.020
World Superbike   Hopkins  2:04.041
(note: superbike uses qualifing tires that only last a few laps)

Also Moto GP has been around much longer. World superbike started in the late 80's while Moto GP started right after the end of WWII. 

[DucLeone]

Well explained, although a bit over my head in technical terms.

and that makes 2 of us

[screaminss]

Seems MotoGp is heading in the wrong direction, lest for the latest controversies, but instead that soon you'll need a four year degree in MotoGpology perhaps to follow the sport. Take heed Dorna/FIM, we just want to enjoy some of the best racing in the world. K.I.S.S.

[Big E]

I just wish the Super bike series had more races in the United States

[BryanS]

I remember the good old days of the club going to AMA SBK events at MidOhio and Road America.... the good old days of watching the 999 buzzing by there