MotoGP will increase its maximum engine capacity to 1,000cc by the 2012 season.
The series’ Grand Prix Commission officially confirmed the change at a meeting at the International Motorcycling Federation’s headquarters in Geneva.
The meeting included discussions between governing body the FIM, promoter Dorna Sports and the Motorcycle Sports Manufacturers’ Association. The Commission agreed to increase the engine capacity limit to 1,000cc from the current 800cc. The Commission also introduced a limit of four cylinders with a maximum bore of 81 mm.
On the 3.048-mile, 14-turn Miller Motorsports Park circuit in Utah, Yamaha World Superbike sensation Ben Spies had a brilliant afternoon on Sunday as the Texan made it clear his home race belonged to him and him only. Spies led both races from the go with arguably his best race starts of the season ensuring he took the holeshot and had a clear circuit to work his magic on. Having extended a 4.2 second lead in the first race it was red flagged six laps in when Karl Muggeridge crashed out. The race was re-started and run on aggregate timing to ensure any advantages from the first start where not lost. From the second start Spies led again with a convincing start over second place Checa to take his first win of the day. Race two saw another incredible start from Spies, keeping his pole position at the front of the pack. Followed closely by Michel Fabrizio, Spies ran a perfect set of 21 laps in the front to take his second win of the day to the delight of the home crowd.
The 2009 Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup kicks off with a double-header, May 2-3 in Jerez, Spain, with live video coverage of the entire season available over the Internet.
Race fans can watch their favorite future Grand Prix racers such as American teenagers Benny Solis, Jake Gange and Hayden Gillim thanks to a live satellite feed on the Rookies Cup website, www.redbullrookiescup.com .
The recorded race coverage will also remain in the site’s Rookies TV section for later viewing.
The Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup features riders age 13-18 on factory-prepped KTM RC125 motorcycles competing at select MotoGP rounds.
The three American Rookies will try to match the achievements of Washington native JD Beach who won the 2008 Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup. Beach is currently racing AMA Supersport, riding a Honda CBR600RR, and AMA Pro Flat Track Singles, riding a Honda CRF450.
Kawasaki Motors Racing was the European subsidiary of Kawasaki Heavy Industries, which is located in Netherlands. It is responsible for managing the racing activities of the MotoGP team and any other motorcycle racing activities Kawasaki may enter in the future. As of January 2009, Kawasaki pull-out of motoGP due to financial crisis.
The subsidiary was setup in 2007 as a result of the Japanese manufacturer’s recent necessary split from Harald Eckl. The reason for the split was Eckl’s involvement with a competitor’s MotoGP activities, which forced Kawasaki to terminate the relationship immediately. For the first time since Kawasaki returned to the premier class of motorcycle racing, the team became a complete ‘in house’ factory team.
The team used the new 800cc Ninja ZX-RR and Bridgestone tyres in 2007. Randy de Puniet and Olivier Jacque were chosen as team riders.
Olivier Jacque crashed in practice during the Chinese Grand Prix, gashing his arm severely enough to be unable to race for 2 Grands Prix. He returned to racing only to crash again during practice at the Catalan Grand Prix, missing this race too. Following the series of injuries, Olivier announced his retirement from competition to continue as a team test rider.Following the retirement of Olivier Jacque Anthony West was offered the position to race with the team.
The team’s best result was a 2nd place finish by Randy de Puniet at a wet Japanese Grand Prix.
For 2008 John Hopkins joins the team alongside Anthony West
In August of 2008, Kawasaki signed Marco Melandri to join John Hopkins for the 2009 season. However, the global financial crisis of 2008 caused Kawasaki to reconsider its MotoGP program, and the Italian sports daily Tuttosport reported on December 30th that Kawasaki would be pulling out of MotoGP.
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