It’s no secret that promoter Dorna Motorsports has been trying to push a standardized electronics control unit for teams in the MotoGP World Championship. The lack of a top-tier electronics package has been one of the biggest challenges faced by MotoGP’s claiming rule teams, and a spec ECU would narrow the gap between the CRT bikes and the factory prototypes. The manufacturers competing in the series, Honda, Ducati and Yamaha, understandably are resistant to the idea considering the effort they’ve put in to develop their electronics systems.

It may only be a matter of time before the premier class adopts a standardized ECU. The Moto2 and Moto3 classes have spec electronics packages, and sooner or later MotoGP will likely follow suit. The series has taken a big step towards that goal with the announcement of a four-year contract with Italian electronics company Magneti Marelli to provide its ECU to any and all MotoGP teams.

Beginning with the 2013 MotoGP season, teams will have access to Magenti Marelli’s latest electronic control system. The package includes an engine and chassis control unit with inboard data-logger, various tuning and data analysis tools, dashboard, handlebar toggle switch and inertial platform, as well as trackside support of Magenti Marelli technicians. Best of all, the Magenti Marelli package won’t cost teams a dime. Continue Reading »

Honda is reportedly developing a production racer based on its RC213V racebike that could be sold to teams looking to compete in MotoGP. The new racebike is expected to be of a lower-spec than the RC213V prototype but perform better than a CRT machine with a production-based engine.

According to a report by racing site MotoMatters and French magazine Moto Journal, the new V4-engined production racer will be sold to race teams instead of being leased, as is the case with current satellite teams and their race prototypes. Meanwhile, Britain’s MCN reports the production racer will be available for the 2014 MotoGP Championship and will cost race teams about a million euros (US$1.26 million).

MCN also reports the machine will not qualify as a CRT and would be subject to the same regulations as full factory prototypes, with the same six-engine limit and a cap of 21 liters of fuel. The difference is it will be a more affordable option for race teams. Continue Reading »

America is starting to become a hotbed for wild card Claiming Rule Team entries in MotoGP. First there was Attack Performance getting awarded a wild card for the U.S. Grand Prix at Laguna Seca and the Indianapolis Grand Prix at The Brickyard. Indianapolis Motor Speedway will see another U.S.-based wild card, this time it’s Indiana-based GP Tech preparing its own CRT machine.

GP Tech has drawn wild cards at the Indianapolis Grand Prix before, in the Moto2 class. In 2010, GP Tech prepared an FTR chassis for Jason DiSalvo and in 2011, GP Tech prepared another FTR race machine for Jake Gagne. DiSalvo finished ninth in the 2010 race while Gagne (pictured above) was 31st in 2011.

This time, GP Tech is taking advantage of the new CRT classification to compete in the premier MotoGP class. While Attack Performance is mounting a Kawasaki ZX-10R engine in a custom-built frame, GP Tech is teaming up with the Vesrah Suzuki/MCJ Motorsports team to build a race bike powered by a Suzuki GSX-R1000 engine with a billet aluminum frame by BCL Motorsports. Continue Reading »

NGM Forward Racing has named veteran MotoGP racer Chris Vermeulen the substitute rider for the injured Colin Edwards at the May 20 French Grand Prix at Le Mans. Vermeulen will ride the team’s BMW-powered Suter Claiming Rule machine.

Vermeulen raced four full seasons in MotoGP from 2006-2009, all with the Rizla Suzuki team. He has a single victory to his credit, also at Le Mans. Vermeulen also has seven podium finishes in MotoGP with a career-best sixth-place finish in the 2007 championship. Vermeulen raced in the World Superbike series the last two years for Kawasaki though he struggled with a number of injuries. Continue Reading »

Attack Performance officially announced it will race in the 2012 U.S. Grand Prix and Indianapolis Grand Prix on a Kawasaki-powered Claiming Rule Team machine.

Reports the Huntington Beach, Calif., racing parts manufacturer was granted a wild card to the two American MotoGP rounds surfaced last week, the AMA Pro Racing regular officially confirmed the news just as the 2012 MotoGP World Championship got under way.

Attack Performance is building its own chassis and will use a modified Kawasaki ZX-10R engine to compete in the two races against other CRT entries and factory prototypes. Attack Perforamnce faces a daunting task, but this is the kind of scenario MotoGP organizers were hoping for when they instituted the CRT rules. Continue Reading »

RoadracingWorld reports California-based Attack Performance has been granted a wild card entry to the 2012 U.S. Grand Prix at Laguna Seca and the 2012 Indianapolis Grand Prix at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

According to RoadracingWorld, Attack Performance’s entry lists Steve Rapp as its rider and the parts manufacturer itself as constructor, suggesting it will enter as a Claiming Rule Team.

Rapp and Attack Performance currently race in the AMA Superbike Championship. Rapp is currently fifth overall in the championship standings with fifth- and sixth-place finishes at the season-opening Daytona round with a Kawasaki ZX-10R. Continue Reading »

Gresini announced the re-signing of racer Michele Pirro, with a promotion from the Moto2 class to the premiere MotoGP class.

Pirro raced for Gresini in the Moto2 class in 2011, finishing ninth overall with a third place finish and a victory in the season-ending Valencia round. For 2012, Pirro will compete in the MotoGP class riding a CRT bike with an FTR chassis and a Honda CBR1000RR engine.

Continue Reading »