Kawasaki Out Of MotoGP

[motochick]

This was all over the BARF forum.

I hope its not true because it could start a domino effect with the other manufacturers. MotoGP needs MORE bikes on the grid not less.

 

[tstaff]

Hopper don't know for sure. :dntknw:

 

[MotorToad]

I'm of two minds about Kawasaki. I hate having fewer bikes on the grid, but it's not like they were getting on the TV anyway. What's it been? Four years now? And they've had a sparing few podiums to show for it. They're not getting anything out of GP, why spend money at it?

 

[motochick]

I'm of two minds about Kawasaki. I hate having fewer bikes on the grid, but it's not like they were getting on the TV anyway. What's it been? Four years now? And they've had a sparing few podiums to show for it. They're not getting anything out of GP, why spend money at it?

I just hope this doesn't lead to Suzuki dropping out. They dropped out of WRC and probably are not in great shape financially. I think WSBK is already more exciting and 15 bikes in MotoGP I don't think would make a race.

 

[Randy]

It has been reported that Melandri already got his letter saying saying that they're pulling out. Granted, they have a contract for the base pay, but, most contracts have additional items included for good performance. Without a ride, they won't be able to get those bonuses.

One of things that could happen is that they might look for a team that is willing to lease the bikes and run them outside of the factory banner.

 

[squeezer]

I think it's both sad and ugly for the sport. Let's hope Randy's right that someone will put the bikes out there. It was already a small grid.

What's the next shoe to drop?

 

[El Toro]

I hate to see the reduction in the field too... but if I were controlling their resources, I think I would take a break from MotoGP too.

They've never been competitive in this venue - at least not that I can remember.

Bringing up the rear is not a good way to build brand loyalty or fan interest.

It could be one more step toward F1 style homologation. I would hate to see that because it is a thrill to see the engine and chassis development each season.

I just happened to watch the video "Faster" the other night. I hadn't looked at it for a couple of years. It covers the end of the 500cc two stroke era, and the beginning of the 990cc four strokes. It was really cool to watch it again after all the developments that have taken place since 2001.

Perhaps Kawasaki will come back in when the 600cc class begins down the road. That class should be cheaper to participate in, and everyone has to start with a clean slate.

 

[El Toro]

Two things:

The first is that it appears that current FIM regulations require a grid of 18, so if Kawasaki really leaves and no one picks up the slack, there will have to be rule changes.

The second is that as I write this (work day should be over in Japan at this time), there hasn't been any official announcement of the status, although team members and staff have all been briefed regarding the worst case scenario. It appears that there are negotiations underway to possibly sell the team to Aspar. See below.

**************

Motorcycling - Aspar Team chief Jorge Martinez has said he is in talks to take over the Kawasaki MotoGP team after media reported that the Japanese manufacturers were planning to pull out of the 2009 championship.

"Negotiations to take over the two Kawasaki (bikes) have started," former 80cc and 125 cc world champion Martinez, who already has teams in the 125 and 250 classes, told La Gazzetta dello Sport.

"I don't know with certainty when or if this opportunity will become reality. I'm willing to negotiate. We'll see."

 

[El Toro]

Here's a link to an article about the current status. No one is saying anything. There may be an announcement NEXT Monday. Meanwhile, everyone involved is waiting for the next shoe to drop.

https://www.bikesportnews.com/articles/arti...HDRAWAL_PLANS_1

 

[El Toro]

Leaks from the secret meeting are dribbling out, and the latest word is that Kawasaki is reconsidering. A story with what would appear to include signficant detail is here https://moto-racing.speedtv.com/article/mot...ogp-withdrawal/

 

[Randy]

They could save a bunch of coin by keeping Hopper and dropping Melandri and just run it as a 1 bike team. Maybe Monster is writing a bigger check?

 

[El Toro]

I've kinda been thinking that Kawasaki wasn't bailing out because of the economy, but instead were bailing out because of their inability to be competitive at this level.

Kawasaki is a HUGE company, and while they may be hurting, the $30M that might be required through the 2009 season from here out is like the bonus to one key executive .... oh, wait..... that only happens in the US.

Well, even so, $30M is chump change in the grand scheme of things at a company the size of Kawasaki, and I think they were withdrawing under cover of gloomy economics rather than to be honest and admit that their bikes would not be competitive in 2009 AGAIN. Reports after the testing at the end of the 08 season indicated that there was still a pretty significant gap between Kawasaki and the podium.

Apparantly if they withdraw from MotoGP this year and break their contract with Dorna, there are significant penalties, and that helps kill any economic advantage associated with getting out.

I dunno.... John Hopkins is a talented rider, but he's never figured out how to be competitive at this level. Melandri has blown hot and cold. These guys have all grown up in the shadow of Rossi, and now they are being eclipsed by the next generation.

Meanwhile, I'm more concerned about the Alice withdrawal and the overall sorting out of the Ducati stuff. With the exception of Stoner just about all the other guys on Ducatis have been Kawasaki's competition. I hope Dorna can announce on Monday that the field is stable for 09.

Hey, Prosperity is Just Around the Corner!!

 

[Randy]

Confirmed - Kawasaki out of MotoGP

 

[El Toro]

Well, its not surprising I guess. The underlying fundamental point that they are not successful in this very expensive venue makes this course of action seem pretty rational.

Now we have to see if Asper picked up day to day operation of the team.

 

[Randy]

Well, its not surprising I guess. The underlying fundamental point that they are not successful in this very expensive venue makes this course of action seem pretty rational.
Now we have to see if Asper picked up day to day operation of the team.

With no engineering support from Factory Kawaski, it would be up to Asper to make the mousetrap better. You're right - will be interesting to see if they're up for the challenge.

 

[El Toro]

Well, its not surprising I guess. The underlying fundamental point that they are not successful in this very expensive venue makes this course of action seem pretty rational.
Now we have to see if Asper picked up day to day operation of the team.

With no engineering support from Factory Kawaski, it would be up to Asper to make the mousetrap better. You're right - will be interesting to see if they're up for the challenge.

Yeah, the subtext on the Asper deal is that it allows Dorna to maintain a field of riders.... but it could be that they would have even more trouble than the old Kenny Roberts team. I wonder what else is going to come out of the meeting.

Sad to see Kawasaki go. They should have been very competitive. They have tremendous resouces at their disposal, especially compared to small companies like Ducati and Suzuki.

A big part of the problem with MotoGP is that the bikes are just so highly developed that it makes it very difficult to find a rider who can push to the limit AND stay on. I was watching the official review of the 05 season on DVD again last night. There are just so many excellent riders who keep getting off. Rossi's excellence is largely tied to the fact that he rarely gets off. He is like the MotoGP iron man. Agostini had it right at the start of the 08 season when he said that Rossi should not be counted out. I'll bet Honda wishes they had him back. In any event, Kawasaki just hasn't been able to get riders that could stay on the bike at this level.

 

[Randy]

Well, its not surprising I guess. The underlying fundamental point that they are not successful in this very expensive venue makes this course of action seem pretty rational.
Now we have to see if Asper picked up day to day operation of the team.

With no engineering support from Factory Kawaski, it would be up to Asper to make the mousetrap better. You're right - will be interesting to see if they're up for the challenge.

Yeah, the subtext on the Asper deal is that it allows Dorna to maintain a field of riders.... but it could be that they would have even more trouble than the old Kenny Roberts team. I wonder what else is going to come out of the meeting.

Sad to see Kawasaki go. They should have been very competitive. They have tremendous resouces at their disposal, especially compared to small companies like Ducati and Suzuki.

A big part of the problem with MotoGP is that the bikes are just so highly developed that it makes it very difficult to find a rider who can push to the limit AND stay on. I was watching the official review of the 05 season on DVD again last night. There are just so many excellent riders who keep getting off. Rossi's excellence is largely tied to the fact that he rarely gets off. He is like the MotoGP iron man. Agostini had it right at the start of the 08 season when he said that Rossi should not be counted out. I'll bet Honda wishes they had him back. In any event, Kawasaki just hasn't been able to get riders that could stay on the bike at this level.

Perhaps the problem lies more the their inability to build a bike that allows a rider to run the pace required without getting off?

 

[El Toro]

Perhaps the problem lies more the their inability to build a bike that allows a rider to run the pace required without getting off?

I dunno....

No one but Stoner seems to be able to stay on the Ducati, but he can.

Rossi keeps his M1 upright while everyone else has multiple getoffs each season.

Melandri figured out how to keep from losing the Ducati.... just ride it at the back of the pack (with the Kawasakis most of the time).

These bikes are very hard to ride at their full potential. Not many guys can do it. I've always thought the number was 18 or so in the world, but evidence suggests that maybe it is fewer than 18.

Well, for now we won't know any more about Kawasaki and MotoGP. The press release said that they may not be coming back in. They competed for 7 seasons (02, 03, ... , 08), and never won a race. Best was Olivier Jacques 2nd place finish, I think at LeMans. After the end of season testing, no one thought they were going to be competitive in 09 without a lot of improvements. The improvements just weren't there.

I guess we can always wonder what might have been....

At least everyone else seems committed for next year. Dorna's story today was about Yamaha's teams, and they also published the press release from Kawasaki.

 

[El Toro]

Here are Ezpeleta's comments. I was wrong about only having one podium. It looks like they had 3 second place finishes, and Jacque's was in China, not at LeMans. For those who don't know, Ezpeleta is the top man at Dorna, and Dorna owns MotoGP.

https://www.motogp.com/en/news/2008/Dorna+C...saki+withdrawal