GP racing at the crossroads
By JIM DUNCAN
 There's
nothing I enjoy more than sitting in front of the telly on
a Sunday arvo, watching the GP stars duel it out.
This doesn't happen much, because most of the time the race
is on late so it usually gets taped... But that's besides
the point. The 2002 GP season, as most will already know,
is going to be very different to what we see today.
From January 1, 2002, the 500cc two-strokes will be replaced
by prototype four-strokes. The last time a four-stroke was
raced in a GP was back in the early Eighties.
The rules are fairly straightforward. Set out by Federation
Internationale de Motorcyclisme (FIM),
they dictate the following:
| Engine displacement |
Max. 990cc (min 3-cylinders) |
| |
|
| Minimum weight |
|
| 3-cylinders |
135 kg |
| 3-cylinders (oval pistons) |
145 kg |
| 4 and 5-cylinders |
145 kg |
| 4 or more-cylinders (oval pistons) |
155 kg |
| 6-cylinders |
155 kg |
| |
|
| Fuel tank capacity |
24-litres until 2004 then drops to 22-litres |
| |
|
| Noise limit |
|
| pre-race limit |
115 dB/A |
| post-race limit |
120 dB/A |
As you can see, the rules will make for some rather interesting
motorcycle design and hopefully, some even more impressive
racing. But, to that end, the competition will be closer to
that of World Super Bikes Championships (SBK) and, as such,
already many are opposed.
A Suzuki engineer has already stated that Kenny Roberts Jr.
is testing the new GSX-R1000 to get used to four-stroke power
delivery.
There has been speculation that SBK and GP racing will be
too similar once the new rules hit. And after this - who knows?
Some are saying that one will buy the other or, if push comes
to shove, there will be nasty legalities to deal with.
The new prototype models should be great to watch and while
the rules state they are not to be based on production bikes,
you can be sure that the big manufacturers will bring out
race replicas. Sure, the engine config might be more orthodox
but the styling and design would remain faithful.
At the end of the day, it would be great if GP and SBK could
co-exist in equilibrium. But this is highly unlikely.
In fact, I'd be willing to bet that sometime this year, more
likely towards the end of the season, some sort of closed-doors
negotiations will take place. If not, then expect a cadre
of Armani suit-clad lawyers from both sides staring each other
down, across the court room floor.
You can be sure that all eyes will be focused on the start
of the GP season early next year in what will undoubtedly
turn out to be something of an evolution of the sport. New
bikes, new riding styles and maybe even a handful of new faces
too. Sit tight people, the ride's only just beginning.
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