MotoGP's 250cc replacement class: The technical rules

[SPman]

He is a NZer and usually turns up between Xmas and New Year.

We're going for a ride - Hamilton to Wellington by gravel/sand/mud/dirt/(anything but seal).

His surnames not Sinclair, is it?

[Oscar]

His surnames not Sinclair, is it?

Mike Webb.

[scracha]

ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZz. No innovation. No V6 400's revving to 25000rpm. No 16.5" wheels. Yawn. No wonder the WSBK guys are pissed.

[slowpoke]

ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZz. No innovation. No V6 400's revving to 25000rpm. No 16.5" wheels. Yawn. No wonder the WSBK guys are pissed.

The Aprilia's that 90% of the field run and aging Honda's are hardly revolutionary, they made two strokes like this decades ago, albeit in far less refined form.

It could be good. Carbon fibre monococques, ducati-esque trellis frames, carved from billet alloy beam frames will all be on display I reckon. We'll see more diversification as a result of not having to go cap in hand to Aprilia begging for something that still isn't competitive with a works bike.

[nudemetalz]

The Aprilia's that 90% of the field run and aging Honda's are hardly revolutionary, they made two strokes like this decades ago, albeit in far less refined form.

But wasn't it a Gilera that won the 250's this year.......
Yes I know, it's an Aprilia in drag....

[Teambwr47]

The 250cc two strokes, sadly, have been dead in the water for way too long and should have been replaced at least 2 seasons ago if not more.

Personally I love the likes of the modern RS and TZ 250's and will regret not having raced one when, in the UK at least, they were still a full National class.

The 600cc Moto2 class will bring out bikes that'll trounce WSS 600's in lap times and while its a shame they have not been given more of a free hand on some of the rules motor wise I think we may see more of the bikes filtering out to National series that may spring up around the World as a result.

We can but hope.

[lostinflyz]

good to see CEV (the spanish people) are hoping to run moto2 rules in 09. hopefully is they fill the grid it will give us an indication of what the class will be like.

[Cleve]

With the twin/ triple/ four formula, I can't see anything but fours.
The twin or even the triple slight weight advantage isn't going to make it that competitive, IMO.
They would need to have a bigger capacity (750-2, 675-3) to work.

Aprilia tried it with the RS-Cube triple in MotoGP and didn't really get anywhere (I know that the ECU was mostly to blame but you get the idea).

but can't the triples and twins rev higher as well.
That MIGHT make it closer. It is a very low rev limit for 4's. Possibly be good in the future for development of more torque at lower rev's for smaller road bikes.
Overall I am not going to be quick to condemn this idea.
If the bikes are sexy, the racing close and there are fields of bikes racing close (kind of like WSBK) then I will be happy.

[Ivan]

I reckon youl be surprised what the twins can do they are low revving compared to the 4 as stated and produce a shit load of torque any way so a Vtwin would suit the class fine.

A triple would also do depends what circuits you were running would be the advantage to I mean Phillip Island the 4 Cylinder would probly be the better bike but at a track such as Indianapolas the twin or triple would be well more suited

[Brian d marge]

I think its a brilliant set of rules , The buy back came from ( I think ) the Swedish car racing where a nominal value is set on a vehicle and anyone can buy it for that price , works a treat there

As an Engineer, GREAT set of rules ,, There is a raft of things you could do ...such as,,,... if someone knows my secrets ( any engineer worth their salt pretty much knows what is going on in the other team , even by looking at the engine ) ....well I will have to step my game up ,

As a feeder series , brilliant , for both Engineers and riders,,,all the important bits were nailed down, such as RPM, and size and weight ...great stuff

Its going to be a great class to watch ,,,,and if Rossi was a racer... THATS the class I would move to


Stephen

[MXNUT]

9.4 The engine (excluding exhaust, throttle bodies and ECU) used in a race is available to be purchased
by another competitor in the same race for a fixed price of ?20,000 (Euro).

I am a 2 stroke fan from way back, but as has been said here already their time has come and gone, as none of the manufacturers are investing any time or money in development anymore.

The rest of the rules look good for developing good racing in a close and affordable class, other than the one above.

I cant see any manufacturer or large team for that matter spending any time or effort on engine R & D, to then have their work handed over to another competitor at the end of the race.

I know they want to keep costs down but if there is little or no freedom for the designers to be creative then it will be just a glorified 600 supersport class with bikes that Joe public cant identify with ( M1 - RC211V etc... )