Motorsports

 

Plans in progress for next year

 

With MotoGP engines rules changing next year, many new outfits are considering the prospect of competing in the 2012 season. Some are skeptical about the 1000cc format, calling it “The end of protoype racing” while others see a reduction in running costs and a better connect to the production 1000’s. The International Road Racing Teams Association (IRTA) has received 16 new team applications for next year in accordance to the Federation Internationale De Motorcyclisme (FIM) directions. 14 out of those with a total of 21 riders have been selected for further consideration by the IRTA and Dorna (the commercial rights holder of MotoGP). The final list of teams will be declared after the Catalan Grand Prix in June. The British bike maker Norton has submitted an application to run a two rider team with a 1000cc V4 racer. Norton is in talks with the Spanish Inmotec outfit for the V4 while the technical support may come from the Autrian KTM factory. The Swiss chassis expert Suter, backed by the team Marc VDS Racing is also planning to enter MotoGP with a BMW 1000 engine embracing their chassis. The Italian Aprilia factory and Kawasaki from Japan may also consider re-entering the sport.

 

Words: Piyush Sonsale

Mahindra Racing
tests its MotoGP bike

 

Words:

Raymond Raj

Mahindra Racing
tests its MotoGP bike

 

Words:

Raymond Raj

Rossi hopes to be fully fit before the Malaysian official test

Seventy-three days after undergoing surgery on his right shoulder, The Doctor returned to the track at Misano Adriatico aboard a Ducati 1198 Superbike. The purpose of the test was to ascertain the status of his shoulder which, though recovering nicely, is still quite painful, just a few days ahead of the first test in Malaysia with the Desmosedici GP11.

“First of all, thanks to Filippo (Preziosi) and to Ducati, who organized this test,” said Valentino Rossi. “Misano Circuit let us use the track on a day when Mattia (Pasini) was planning to ride in order to confirm his own condition. The track more or less confirmed what we expected: the shoulder is painful—especially under braking, when the front area hurts, where they stitched the tendon. Movement is stable enough, and we’re also doing not so bad with endurance, but apart from that, it hurts a lot and isn’t very strong. Let’s hope it gets a little better in these next few days before the test in Malaysia. Once we’re there, we’ll work with the riding position in an effort to make the most of the situation and collect important information with the Desmosedici, even though I’m not in top form. Today I did a total of 25 laps on the 1198 Superbike, which is sort of a ‘historic’ motorcycle for Ducati: beautiful and fast. I liked it!”

 

Here’s wishing Rossi all the best for the upcoming MotoGP season.

Rossi hopes to be fully fit before the Malaysian official test

Seventy-three days after undergoing surgery on his right shoulder, The Doctor returned to the track at Misano Adriatico aboard a Ducati 1198 Superbike. The purpose of the test was to ascertain the status of his shoulder which, though recovering nicely, is still quite painful, just a few days ahead of the first test in Malaysia with the Desmosedici GP11.

“First of all, thanks to Filippo (Preziosi) and to Ducati, who organized this test,” said Valentino Rossi. “Misano Circuit let us use the track on a day when Mattia (Pasini) was planning to ride in order to confirm his own condition. The track more or less confirmed what we expected: the shoulder is painful—especially under braking, when the front area hurts, where they stitched the tendon. Movement is stable enough, and we’re also doing not so bad with endurance, but apart from that, it hurts a lot and isn’t very strong. Let’s hope it gets a little better in these next few days before the test in Malaysia. Once we’re there, we’ll work with the riding position in an effort to make the most of the situation and collect important information with the Desmosedici, even though I’m not in top form. Today I did a total of 25 laps on the 1198 Superbike, which is sort of a ‘historic’ motorcycle for Ducati: beautiful and fast. I liked it!”

 

Here’s wishing Rossi all the best for the upcoming MotoGP season.