MotoGP – MotoGP increases to 1000 cc in 2012 –

Posted on by admin

MotoGP increases to 1000 cc in 2012

MotoGP - MotoGP increases to 1000 cc in 2012 -

Only three seasons after the switch to 800 cc of the premier class prototypes, the FIM, the manufacturers and the Dorna are backing off: from 2012, the MotoGP will be powered by four-cylinder 1000 cc… Explanations.

Concerned about the prohibitive costs of MotoGP, the promoter of MotoGP has never ceased to find new ideas to attract new partners – such as, for example, certain European manufacturers involved in the World Superbike – and reassure the players of his starving grid.

After the unique tire manufacturer and the introduction of regulations limiting the number of engines per pilot (six in 2010), Carmelo Ezpeleta, the boss of the Spanish company Dorna, believed he had put all the chances on his side to reduce the airfoil , while making a mockery of its Italian rivals managing the WSBK.

But in the midst of the international economic crisis, these measures act as a plaster on a wooden leg: the premier class continues to lead a pharaonic lifestyle with technological developments still as costly, while the budgets injected by manufacturers and sponsors are largely revised downwards…

To make matters worse, the promoter must also face a costly and controversial decision: the change from 990 to 800 cc in 2007. Criticized by the pilots (Valentino Rossi in the lead), questioned by manufacturers annoyed at no longer being able to draw parallels with their production sports cars and not really convincing in terms of safety (at Mugello, Dani Pedrosa was flashed at 349.288 km / h with his RCV212, or 6 km / h more than the previous record set with a 990 cc !), the initiative would have brought more problems than solutions…

Cornered against the wall, the championship managers have therefore decided to introduce a displacement of 1000 cc from 2012. The avowed goal is to facilitate the arrival of new manufacturers, while giving back this bestial side and overflowing with power to the MotoGP which are today ‘hui followed by the sharpest missiles of the Superbike chainring (around 240 hp at the crankshaft for the CBR, R1 and RSV4).

4-cylinder and 81 mm maximum bore

During a meeting in Geneva at the FIM headquarters, the Grand Prix Commission therefore ratified the change in displacement of the MotoGP category: from 800 cc currently, the engines will be able to cubize 1000 cc in 2012 (i.e. 10 cc more than ‘in 2006).

Few technical details have leaked out about this astonishing decision – criticized or not, the 800ccs are now capable and reliable – but the Dorna could consider letting participants use a Hypersport engine base – the Moto2 class having obviously done little ones – to propel MotoGP prototypes…

This prospect would naturally make the owners of the Mondial Superbike see red, who detect in this maneuver an interference in their business … Still, these new engines must necessarily adopt a four-cylinder type architecture (Honda will therefore not be able to not come out its V5) 4-stroke, with a single bore of 81 mm maximum.

Vito Ippolito, President of the International Motorcycling Federation (FIM), said he was excited about this new project: “this base will allow builders to start working. At the start of the year we will set the rules in more detail, but this is the basics. 2012 will be the start of a new era for MotoGP”.

New era or not, the FIM, the MSMA (the Commission des constructeurs en Grands Prix) and Dorna will however have to seriously think about the issue of electronic aids: with such an increase in displacement, the power will leap forward (with 990 cc, the official 2006 RCVs were already estimated at 260 hp!) And only the sophisticated little chips will allow pilots to stay on their wheels when exiting a curve…

The question of "over-interventionism" of electronic aids (and their cost) is already coming back regularly with the 800 cc, no doubt that compromises will have to be considered by 2012. Like, why not, the establishment of a unique electronic control unit like Formula 1. To be continued … Stay connected !

Related articles

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *