MotoGP Production Engines

One of the controversial subjects concerning the rule changes for MotoGP machines in 2012 is allowing the use of production-based motors as well as the prototype motors that have been required in the past. This was meant to help keep costs down, and by doing so, attract more private teams to participate so that the grids would return to pre-economic downturn levels. The loudest opposing view was not surprisingly from those at WSBK, as I’m sure they thought it might threaten their own popularity among fans, but… who cares? Not me. 

Some of the most exciting racing series I can remember had many different types of machines pitted against one another all chasing the same prize: to be the fastest of them all. In days gone by, 1000cc Superbikes, 500cc Grand Prix bikes, factory four stroke F1 machines, and privateer machines utilizing heavily modified production engines in exotic chassis from frame specialists like Spondon, Bimota, Harris, and Nico Bakker, just to name a few, all on the same tracks at the same time, treating spectators with different looks, different sounds, and the different riding styles needed to suit the different personalities of such a wide array of machines. I loved it, and I believe the fans loved it as well. 

One of the complaints I hear from inside the GP community about the new rule centers around the simple fact that the full prototype machines will indeed be faster than their production based powered competitors, and that the slower machines will impede their speed as they begin to lap them late in each race. Bring it on! Lapped riders make racing more interesting and often help tighten up the field, so perhaps the days of two dozen parade laps will be gone and races will get more exciting in the final laps as the leaders need to slow and negotiate their way around slower riders without getting passed themselves, and allowing us to see them attempting to perfect the art of passing.

Permalink | Leave a comment  »

Source: http://motorcycleracingtrackdays.com/88265377

Lorenzo Baroni Jose Barresi Manliff Barrington Alex Barros Geoff Barry