MotoGP 2009 one tyre rule

[Cleve]

http://www.motorcyclenews.com/MCN/sport/sportresults/mcn/2008/September/22-28/sep2408-motogp-to-confirm-bridgestone-tyres-for-2009/

For real or just MCN rubbish?

[vifferman]

It appears to be legit, which is weird, because the noise (very recently - like at Indianapolis) had been that none of the manufacturers wanted to accept supply of all the tyres. It's weird that the article said that "it is believed Michelin will bid for the contract", as they'd said earlier this year they couldn't supply the whole field.

I guess it was inevitable, with many top riders swapping to Bridgestone due to Michelin's largely piss-poor performance since the rules were first changed to limit tyre numbers. It's not a good look when there's such a huge difference in performance between brands.

[Cajun]

nothing else on any other racing news sites at moment, so have to wait and see.

nothing finalised at moment, have to wait


“The promoters came to and told me of their concern about increase in the corner speeds. I don’t need an excuse to do anything or use safety as a reason. We kept competition for this season and in the my opinion the result has not been very good, “added the Spaniard


Most riders prefer a switch back to 990s to help reduce corner speeds but Ezpeleta said: “This is completely impossible. Even the riders realise this is not possible.”

but there are far better ways, to slow the bikes down, (pull out the bloody TC and wizz bang electronics that help keep them upright)

[vifferman]

Why do they need to be slowed down? It's not like there have been masses of crashes (apart from de Puniet crashing nearly every race :rolleyes: ). In any case, I bet the crashes are due more to crap tyres or rider error than outright speed.

[Cajun]

Why do they need to be slowed down? It's not like there have been masses of crashes (apart from de Puniet crashing nearly every race :rolleyes: ). In any case, I bet the crashes are due more to crap tyres or rider error than outright speed.

like anything the 800 been faster in the corners than the 990s and honstly just got simlar top speeds also, and alot of people are crashing and hurting themselfs,

but meh, get rid of the electronic gizmos be better than one tire rule,

I read an article other week which said the bridgestone tires, put total different stress on the bike than michleins, and have to be ridden in a total different style. in turn that style won't suit everyone, just like engine types don't suit all

[TOTO]

Surely it is better to be in the place of the manufacturer who wins the contract but it wont be perfect for them as they will have noone to beat. So there will go their publicity like: This tyre is better , no no , this one is better and so on...

From spectators point of view it will be better to have a one tyre rule as that will mean that one less factor is removed in performance and it is more up to the rider to do the winning rather than his tyres.

My 2c worth, but definately watch this space ;)

[discotex]

I'm skeptical but it could be ok for a season or two to see what happens.

Always tinkering with the rules eh.

[lostinflyz]

if they were really serious about dropping corner speeds they would be offering the contract to shinko or kenda.

but it seems that mcn is just trying to preempt the announcement of something thiss weekend. as there usually full of shit they can roll the dice and hope for the best.

[discotex]

if they were really serious about dropping corner speeds they would be offering the contract to shinko or kenda.


:lol:

What I want to know is when are Hyosung going to make a GP or WSBK bike?!

[lostinflyz]

:lol:

What I want to know is when are Hyosung going to make a GP or WSBK bike?!

have you heard half the problems guys are having with there gt250r thingys. imagine that with 200+hp and 200mph. Calipers falling off, handle bars breaking, levers failing ect. scary.

[slowpoke]

A single tyre rule will be great but for racing but will limit tyre development, which ultimately affects you and I. These fuggin' fantastic multi-compound tyres that you can buy for comparative pennies at the corner bike shop would shit all over the best mega-dollar rubber you'd find on a GP grid just a few years ago. Tyre development will effectively stagnate.

[gav]

The latest suggestions seems to be that the one tyre rule is dead. The tyre companies have a 60/40 gentlemans agreement, ie at least 40% of the teams on the opposition brand, which amounts to 8 bikes. Ducati suprisingly has offered at least 3 bikes for Michelin, the 2 Alice team bikes and the #5 Ducati to be ridden by Sete Gibernau. But they have also hinted they may switch all their bikes to Michelin, which means Casey Stoner as well. I guess Nicky Hayden wouldnt grumble too much. The reason from Ducati is that being the #1 team with Michelin may be better than just another Bridgestone team and having Valentino Rossi on the same tyres. They were one of the first to switch to Bridgestone for that reason, hoping they would have an advantage at some tracks at least, that Bridgestone seemed to have an advantage at. Kawasaki are another team considering switching to Michelin.
Tech3 and LCR currently use Michelin as do the Scot Honda team.

[Cajun]

yeah i was reading something early that michelin are using one of the ama guys to test there motogp tires in the usa in the races

[KiwiRat]

http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2008/Grand+Prix+Commission+decides+on+single+tyre+rule+ for+2009

Read it and weep. Or don't weep. Your choice really.

It does take one variable out of the equation.

[gav]

But why take just one variable out of the equation?
Lets just have a proddy series and everyone on the same make of bike?
Riders just pull a key out of a hat and away they go .....
So one tyre manufacturer has an advantage at certain tracks, so what?
Maybe if the Kawasaki is off the pace after the first couple of races they could switch to a Yamaha and just paint them green?
Its a poor decision .....

[Stone_Duck]

Link below from this morning is reporting it as a done deal.

http://www.crash.net/motorsport/motogp/news/169604-0/motogp_goes_single_tyre_for_2009.html

As the pinnicle of motorcycle road racing it seems a shame to hinder development & innovation, which will happen if the competition ain't there.
As previously commented these innovations flows on to us the target market.
If it is done as a two/three year contract it just become a bidding war which
is ultimately dollar driven.

From a specticle point of view it will be great, I hate watching a race where a great team is hindered by the rubber it's on, the level playing field will even that out regardless of the circuit they're at.
I believe the usual supects will still be at the top of the tree, hopefully more consistently.

[gav]

Bridgestone will win this contract, regardless of who bids for it, and its moving real fast too. On the Monday after the final round, when the new test season effectively begins all bikes will be on the one rubber. That's in five weeks time!
Where to for Michelin and their road tyres?

[Cleve]

I am also concerned but as much am curious about the 4 wheel scene and their reaction to F1 going one tyre brand as well. (I know nothing about that scene and not sure if it is relevant to any arguments/discussions we in the 2 wheeled world may have.)

[lostinflyz]

in reality its the best thing that could happen for motogp. its needs the time to realign itself to be more motorcycle technology driven than rubber driven. Single tyre suppliers in f1 was a long debate but has been by far the best thing that happened for f1 in a long time.

As for the racing this is going to make it much better. As for road development i think that the current ways dont particularly help it. I mean qualifier technology certainly aint gonna reach the road in reality. they may learn something minor but i dont really think that thought train is gonna help road tyres.

Single tyre rules may make tyre makers look more at making good road tyres rather than how to make slicks and soft compound tyres road legal. I could see something like supersport really taking advantage of this where road tyres are required to be raced. and we may be better off for it.

but who knows