2008 Grand Prix motorcycle racing

2009 MotoGP entry list:

3. Dani Pedrosa SPA Repsol Honda Team
4. Andrea Dovizioso ITA Respol Honda Team
5. Colin Edwards USA Tech 3 Yamaha
7. Chris Vermeulen AUS Rizla Suzuki MotoGP
14. Randy de Puniet FRA LCR Honda MotoGP
15. Alex de Angelis RSM San Carlo Honda Gresini
21. John Hopkins USA Kawasaki Racing Team
24. Toni Elias SPA San Carlo Honda Gresini
27. Casey Stoner AUS Ducati Marlboro Team
33. Marco Melandri ITA Kawasaki Racing Team
36. Mika Kallio FIN Pramac Racing
46. Valentino Rossi ITA FIAT Yamaha Team
52. James Toseland GBR Tech 3 Yamaha
59. Sete Gibernau SPA Grupo Francisco Hernando
65. Loris Capirossi ITA Rizla Suzuki MotoGP
69. Nicky Hayden USA Ducati Marlboro Team
72. Yuki Takahashi JPN Scot Racing Team MotoGP
88. Niccolo Canepa ITA Pramac Racing
99. Jorge Lorenzo SPA FIAT Yamaha Team

It has happend....Kawasaki is pulling out of the moto gp.
Riders like Marco Melandri are now suddenly without a ride for the new season.

shit
This is crap.. It won't be the same

Silverstone in 2010

http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2008/Silverstone to host MotoGP in UK from 2010

Quiet a shocker, i would of thought with Donington getting revamped it would be even better for Moto GP.

That said, i really do hope they dont fart about with the crappy circuit that WSBK use. Hope they use the full circuit.

Jorge Martinez (Owner of Aspar 125 and 250cc teams) might still be interested in running the Kawasaki's though. Although Sponsorship are saying that they want 2 riders. A spanish rider, and a Italian Rider. Which basically says bye bye Hopper if that deal was to be done.

Not overly suprising, They need big events to replace F! and that would certainly provide them with some financial stability. I figure they probably make MotoGP promotions people an offer they couldn't refuse.

A Huge shame, but interestingly though as per Honda F1, the team at the back of the grid pulling out.

This is a shame, it's not guna be the same without kawasaki. Feel sorry for the riders. But at the same time it's not guna stop me watching the moto gp. Go on rossi!!

That's really few! But I hope it will survive as there's a hungarian champion!

Sad state of affairs TBH, nearly as bad as the last RDGTC Pro race ... they seem to have killed off all the privateer teams and made it too expensive and exclusive.

I voted yes, but I think the Dorna need to be very careful in how they handle things and attract some teams back into the mix. Rule change aimed at reducing costs methinks (a bit like the proposed Moto2 or 600cc class).

The new 2009 Fiat Yamaha reveiled

How to follow up the standout bike of the 2008 season for 2009? That was the question posed to Fiat Yamaha when building the factory version of the M1. The bike got its first run-out with World Champion Valentino Rossi in post-race testing at Valencia last year, and has undergone further development over the winter. Today, as part of the factory team´s official online presentation, details of the new machine were released to the public.



`In 2008, when we won everything: the Constructors´ title, the Riders´ title, the Teams´ title, it provoked a great motivation and reaction from rival riders and factories and they must have all started working to produce a bike capable of beating us,´ says Davide Brivio, Team Manager for Rossi´s side of the partitioned garage.

`We´ll do the same. This is the nice thing about motor racing: during the winter there is a lot of talk, because this or that rider is faster on this or that occasion, the fans and the journalists start passing judgements and making forecasts. Then, the facts disprove many of them and this is the most interesting part of our job.´

The specifications for the 2009 bike reveal a machine not too dissimilar to the previous winning formula, a philosophy noted by second Team Manager Daniele Romagnoli.



`In 2008 the bike was successful, so there was no reason to change the concept and the new bike is very similar to the previous one. Changing to Bridgestone tyres during the season, it became clear that the adjustments required were different from the previous set up. So, the new bike can have a wider range of adjustments,´ says the man behind Jorge Lorenzo´s title push in 2009.

`This allowed us, during the latest tests, to try different geometries, which improved acceleration after corners because we managed to increase the contact of the front tyre with the ground. We´ve also worked on engine management controls and maps, which enhance acceleration; our riders can open the throttle a few metres earlier.



`Valentino also worked on the engine and noticed an improvement in acceleration, and he said we are working in the right direction. So, we´ve just got to wait for the Sepang test with Jorge to have the whole package. This year the Japanese and Yamaha will surprise again. We´re confident the bike will be equally competitive in 2009.

2009 YZR-M1 Specs in full

ENGINE: Liquid cooled Crossplane crankshaft inline four-cylinder, four stroke.
POWER: Over 200 horsepower (147KW).
TOP SPEED: In excess of 320kmh.
TRANSMISSION: Six-speed cassette-type gearbox, with alternative gear ratios available.
CHASSIS: Aluminium twin tube delta box, multi-adjustable steering geometry/wheelbase/ride height. Aluminium swingarm.
SUSPENSION: Ohlins upside down front forks and Ohlins rear shock, all adjustable for pre-load, high and low-speed compression and rebound damping. Alternative rear suspension links available.
WHEELS: Marchesini 16.5 front, 16.5in rear, available in a variety of rim widths.
TYRES: Bridgestone, 16.5 front, 16.5in rear, available as slick, intermediate, wet and hand-cut tyres.
BRAKES: Brembo, two 320mm carbon front discs, two four-piston callipers. Single 220mm stainless steel rear disc, twin-piston calliper.
WEIGHT: 148kg. In accordance with FIM regulations.



( courtesy from www.MotoGP.com )

i think Lorenzo should be in for a better year this time as hes having a fresh start with a new number and that

When will they bring the 2009 Yamaha 50cc Aerox out with this colour scheme, Please say within the next month or so and under £2000:clap:

This is a tricky time

It seems as though the Japanese are really pulling the purse strings if you look at it

Subaru and Suzuki in WRC, Honda in F1, Kawa and Honda in bikes

Does anyone know why this is all affecting teh Japanese so much more than anyone else?

And btw, in the mid 80's it was much worsethan this until King Kenny convinced Yamaha to allow private teams to run YZR500's!

New Silverstone layout for 2010

Here are the new plans for Silverstone's MotoGp debute: Link!

Luckily no changes will be made to the current circuit, only add-ons :victory:

Thank you for sharing, I've go to check this out.
Can't wait much longer for the 2009 season to begin... =)

still can't wait 4 it all 2 start like u say tho shame about kwak

Looks good if it happens:eat:

Bad decision IMO ... never liked Silverstone and to make it worse it always seems to rain when the WSBK goes there :sad: