Kawasaki MotoGP:'No' really means 'yes'!

[mx250]

(Speculation) Behind the scenes: Honda and Yamaha to Suzuki and Mama Kawa;

"Get ya act together guys, otherwise MotoGP won't be there when you need in in 5 years time. Yeah, we'll be kind to ya. Whatcha need?"


"This just in from Kawasaki:

Melandri to start 2009 MotoGP season in one-rider team

Newsflash, 25 February 2009

FEBRUARY 26, 2009 - Kawasaki announces that after constructive talks between Kawasaki, Dorna and other involved parties, a new one-rider Team will participate in the 2009 MotoGP Championship season.

This decision was made after negotiations that followed Kawasaki's January 2009 announcement to suspend its factory supported MotoGP activities due to the economic crisis. Rider for the new MotoGP team will be the Italian Marco Melandri.

The team will be equipped with Kawasaki motorcycles and supporting materials.

That Kawasaki has come to this new team approach is the result of on the one hand the need for a strong reduction of MotoGP racing investments and on the other hand the necessity to come to constructive solutions for all related parties.

The new team will disclose more details about its 2009 season's plans on a short notice.

ENDS"

http://www.superbikeplanet.com/2009/Feb/090226a.htm

[Tim754]

Message to "Dorna"                       Who Cares?.............. The days of unrealistic motor sport bikes and cars are sinking fast with Joe and Judy Average. Nobody runs out and buys a bike or car just because some factory squillion dollar special has won a grossly over hyped and money guzzling boring as bat shit race any more. No bike sales means you are not supplying any just return for the ...advertising dollars... being spent, that is a waste in tight times, so very soon bye bye.
Better hurry and give yourselves some more fat million dollar/euro/drachma/lire/pound   bonuses right now  as the fan is spinning and the cows are flying...

[Hornet]

I love my Kawasaki 

[Lozza]

LOOK HERE somebody better to tell Marco he will be needed on Losail Told you it wasn't over

[oldyzman]

I say the more manufacturers in the runnin the better, this year everyone is on the same tyre manufacturer (dont ask me who it is) could be more interesting...

[Marc.com]

its not full factory effort just there to make up the grid. I think they will pull the pin before the season is out, being a back marker is worse publicity than not being there at all. Super bikes still has plenty of takers.

[VMX247]

Sad times, when the team can't pull together and have a ride and run to there full potential.  :'(
Publicity alone can kill 
alison

[mx250]

"Marco Melandri continued to test the bike formerly known as the Kawasaki, and told GPOne.com that the Hayate - as the Dornasaki will be officially known - is an improvement on the 2008 Kawasaki, with the engine more responsive and the chassis an improvement over the old bike. But the worrying thing for Melandri must be the fact that once again, he is near the bottom of the timesheet, fighting it out with the satellite Ducatis."

http://www.motogpmatters.com/news/2009/03/02/2009_qatar_night_test_day_2_stoner_is_ba.html

I wonder what that 'back room' deal was - Kawasaki is not even prepared to put their name to the bike.

"......is an improvement on the 2008 Kawasaki, ......" of course he would say that . God, has Melandri been royal screwed or what .

Whats the betting that the Hayate won't see out the season?

[jimg1au]

i think you will find kawasaki are contracted to have a bike in 2009 moto gp i read some were on the net they cant back out so yes 1 kawasaki at least will be at the meetings

[Freakshow]

And it would seem its paid for by dorma. its a grid filla.

I think you will see all dirt bikes and roadies not upskilling for a few years and the stuff coming over the showroom floor will be Sticker kits and plastic changes. you will still have the same 08 YZ in 010 but the sticker kit will be snazzier to coin a PR phrase :O)

[mx250]

i think you will find kawasaki are contracted to have a bike in 2009 moto gp i read some were on the net they cant back out so yes 1 kawasaki at least will be at the meetings

Yep, we know that Jim, but Ma Kawa also said she wasn't gonna play this year. Now she been dragged screaming back to the fold; but only one bike and not under her own banner . Now the burning question is 'for how long'. Will the FIM insist that Dorna start with 18 bikes or finish with 18 bikes to call it a World Championship .

May you live in interesting times . Dorna most certainly is .

[Marc.com]

wow what do they call it if they don't finish the season with 18 bikes

gee what would be the odds that a team will run out of money this season. Hell Dorna would be better to own all the bikes, do the whole lot on a tender system to the lowest bidder, then just pay the riders a reasonable wage. Dorna could make money off sports betting on the races. we could dress the riders as jockeys.

Don't laugh the Japanese already do that with bike racing and speed boats.

[mx250]

wow what do they call it if they don't finish the season with 18 bikes

And what does it do for next season etc etc. The cred, the reputation. And why would Honda, Ducati etc etc put the effort/money in even for this year if they can't advertise 'World Champions" at the end of it.

gee what would be the odds that a team will run out of money this season.

I think they'll run out of interest and commitment before they run out of money. In fact they'll be luck to start with any interest or committment. Can you imagine what Melandri is thinking? No pre season, struggling to qualify, running with the back markers with no chance of better parts/bikes during the season. Can't even justify the season as using it as prep for next season .

Hell Dorna would be better to own all the bikes, do the whole lot on a tender system to the lowest bidder, then just pay the riders a reasonable wage. Dorna could make money off sports betting on the races. we could dress the riders as jockeys.

Hey, don't give them ideas .

[Marc.com]

I was reading an article by the boss of Superbikes (forgot his name) but he was much more realistic about the future. Its a real shame but with the arrival of the 4 strokes i think MotoGP was always on a convergence course with Superbikes (F1).

But all is not lost, if the factories could run Superbikes and MotoGp side by side as two classes at the same meeting....they get to maximise their audience, reduce travel, development costs, riders can even ride two or three classes if they want.

[jimg1au]

that would be good.like freddy spencer 250 and 500cc world champ in the same year.both for honda