Honda may dump MotoGP too

[squeezer]

Ran across this rumor on STN. The announcement may come on Friday. Here's the link:

https://www.motogpmatters.com/

 

[tstaff]

Sad days indeed, Honda has a great racing history.

Like everyone I hope the global economy will recover quickly & company’s will once again invest in racing to develop better products & technologies.

Unfortunately it seems to me that Honda has other priorities now & maybe out of racing for quite some time.

 

[camera56]

GM, Chrysler, Honda . . . motorsports are going to get eviscerated.

 

[charismaticmegafauna]

. . . motorsports are going to get eviscerated.

Maybe..? Hard to say -- could be -- that when the automotive industry is separated from trying to be a poor form of public transportation, motorsports will take on increased importance?

I certainly hope so...

 

[NoCage]

Money isn't the problem... the upper management pricks at Honda can't handle competition. They think it's all about the machine, and not the rider. They screwed up not appreciating Rossi and letting him go to Yami... where he subsequently helped Yami improve that platform and won... again. Don't let the door hit you in the butt Honda.

 

[El Toro]

Money isn't the problem... the upper management pricks at Honda can't handle competition. They think it's all about the machine, and not the rider. They screwed up not appreciating Rossi and letting him go to Yami... where he subsequently helped Yami improve that platform and won... again. Don't let the door hit you in the butt Honda.

I think there is some element of truth in this assessment. They really do seem to have screwed it up. With Rossi. With Hayden. With PUig.

I think Honda will be in MotoGP next year myself....but I guess we'll have to wait and see.

 

[Shadow]

Money isn't the problem...

May not be a problem but due to the current climate spending may have to be cut back.

Honda have pulled out of F1, that will save them $680M a year.

 

[El Toro]

After this post I did some more digging, and I really think that Honda has dumped F1 because it makes sense for them to do this and the savings are large... but if you look at Honda's worldwide sales, motorcycles are more important than cars, and in the tight world economy, this may turn out to be even more true in the future. Most motorcycles sold in the world are for basic transportation, not for sport touring.

I think Honda will stay in MotoGP, at least for another year. If they continue to be an "also ran," they may tire of the expense.

 

[Randy]

Didn't hear anything else on this. Guess it was merely a rumor.

 

[MotorToad]

I can't for the life of me think that F1 is worth $680M a year. Honda hasn't managed to find a sponsor in a few years and their performance has been as un-Honda like as anything I've ever seen from them. The entire MotoGP budget wouldn't cover an F1 team's catering bill, though, and I think they are getting something for the yen they're spending there. Pulling out of F1 makes sense, but I don't think it does to quit MotoGP.

 

[FJR Flyer]

Just read that Honda is pulling the plug on the Hoot, as well, after a 15 year run.

And even Toyota is losing money. Can it get any worse?

 

[smokeFJR06]

Just read that Honda is pulling the plug on the Hoot, as well, after a 15 year run.
And even Toyota is losing money. Can it get any worse?

All of the automakers need to have a half price sale. I would buy one then.