MotoGP - New team set for Valencia debut?

[Matt Bleck]

From Crash.net

The MotoGP grid could be set to swell in 2010 following tentative confirmation that a new privateer team is planning to compete at the Valencia finale as a prelude to a full-time entry next season.

The identity of the team is FB Corse Engineering and while specific details are relatively scarce, Italian sources Motoblog are suggesting that they will enter a self-penned bike that will be powered by a three-cylinder engine.

The team's plans are ambitious too, pencilling in the final round of the season at Valencia to make their racing debut before participating fully in 2010 as potentially the only fully privateer team on the grid.

While no formal announcement has been made about the plans, messages on the team's website appear to confirm their plans saying it 'will debut in Valencia this year' and 'will race in MotoGP in 2010 as the only private team'.

Furthermore, FB Corse claim theirs is the only engine to be 'based on Formula 1', although further sources have suggested it is a reworking of the engine BMW were developing before they canned their MotoGP project to compete in World Superbikes instead.

FB Corse themselves are an Italian concern with a long history of motorcycle racing, including a stint in the World Superbike Championship.

The team's planned arrival will be a boost for MotoGP, which has suffered this season following Kawasaki's decision to pull out, as well as the withdrawal of Sete Gibernau's Grupo Francisco Hernando Ducati team.

[Peter Smith]

From Crash.net

The identity of the team is FB Corse Engineering and while specific details are relatively scarce, Italian sources Motoblog are suggesting that they will enter a self-penned bike that will be powered by a three-cylinder engine.

What's the max capacity for a triple?? 800??

[Matt Bleck]

What's the max capacity for a triple?? 800??

yes .

[Kornholio]

Motoblog are suggesting that they will enter a self-penned bike that will be powered by a three-cylinder engine.

Damn, my secret is out...

[steveyb]

Lower overall weight I think is the advantage they are allowed.
Fingers crossed this one works out.
It's a shame to see the other privateer teams fall over.

[Peter Smith]

It might be a big bored 675.

[MDR2]

Who's racing for the hayate team next year? with the likes of elias and vermulen desperate for a ride. Is that team confirmed for 2010? could be limited sucess being a whole season behind everyone else as far as development goes. Still, who would say no...

[R6_kid:Me]

Could be limited sucess being a whole season behind everyone else as far as development goes. Still, who would say no...

That's what happened in 2003 when they changed to 990cc four strokes - honda had already been developing a bike behind closed doors and pushed for the change. They came out and more or less completely dominated for a couple of years until Rossi changed to Yamaha and helped them to develop the M1 into a better rounded machine.

Good on them, hopefully it's a better effort than Motocycz, and good on them for being semi-original, hopefully their triple lasts longer than the Aprilia Cube!

[Matt Bleck]

Who's racing for the hayate team next year?

Hayata (Kawasaki) are gone next year, they only entered a bike this year after Dorna threated legal action for breach of contract, which was till 2012.

[steveyb]

The Hayate team was formed around Marco to run the Kawasaki bike when Dorna threatened legal action (as pointed out).
But that team seems to be a very good team. They are getting the most and more out of the bike and also the most and more out of the rider.
It might be a very good option for someone to contract that team to run their bikes (eg Pramac, or the new team perhaps).
The Hayate team might also be a great team to take into Moto2.
I wonder if any of the team are going with Maro to Gresini?
Silly season already........