KTM will enter the three-rider lineup of Sandro Cortese, Arthur Sissis and Danny Kent in the 2012 Moto3 class in the manufacturer’s return to Grand Prix road racing.

The Austrian manufacturer last competed in the World Championship in 2009, racing in the 125cc Grand Prix class. KTM’s return comes as the 125cc class is being replaced with the new 250cc Moto3 class. Cortese, Sissis (pictured above) and Kent will ride KTM’s new Moto3 machine for the Red Bull KTM AJO team, led by Team Manager Aki Ajo.

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The International Motorcycling Federation announced a number of rule updates for the MotoGP World Championship including mandatory brake lever protection.

Lever protectors would stop the brake lever from being accidentally pressed in the case of a collision with another racer, preventing a sudden braking or lockup of the front wheel.

The new regulation leaves the design of the lever protector open; they may be bolt-on guards or even an extended fairing, so long as the technical director deems it safe.

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KTM revealed its new 250cc four-stroke engine that will be used in the Moto3 World Championship which is set to replace the 125cc class in 2012.

The single cylinder engine is all new and not a repurposed motor from KTM‘s 250cc offroad engine portfolio and is said to weigh just 55 pounds.

Official specs were not released, but Moto3 regulations dictate a maximum bore of 81mm, a rev limit of 14,000rpm. Pneumatic or hydraulic valve systems are not allowed and the valve timing system must be chain driven. Continue Reading »

KTM announced it will return to Grand Prix road racing in 2012 with a new racebike for the new 250cc four-stroke Moto3 class.

The Austrian manufacturer discontinued its Grand Prix road racing program in 2009, withdrawing from the 125cc class (pictured above is current Moto2 racer Marc Marquez racing for the KTM factory team in the 2009 125cc class). With the Moto3 class set to replace the 125cc class in 2012, KTM will return with a new racebike. KTM also announced an exclusive partnership to supply Moto3 engines to Kalex Engineering, which produces Moto2 racebikes.  Current Moto2 points leader Stefan Bradl rides a Kalex.

“We approach our entry into the Moto3 class with confidence,” says Pit Beirer, head of KTM Motorsports. “Our own plans are right on schedule for a racing bike completely developed in Mattighofen (Austria), while at the same time we have also found the best possible partner, who will present our engine at a very high and professional level. Kalex Engineering is well positioned for this in every way and just like KTM is highly motivated to develop a bike capable of winning in the new Moto3 category.”

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KTM Quitting 125cc Grand Prix

Press release after the jump.

[Photo by Kim F.]

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Honda has released official specs for its new NSF250R racebike developed for the new Moto3 class which will debut in the 2012 Grand Prix World Championship season.

The Honda NSF250R’s four-stroke single-cylinder engine was developed specifically for Moto3 competition, promising power delivery in the high rpm range. The engine is equipped with titanium valves and uses an offset cylinder with a nickel silicon carbide surface treatment to reduce friction and improve durability.

According to Honda, the engine has a peak power output of 47.6 hp at 13,000 rpm while peak torque is 20.7 ft-lb. at 10,500 rpm.

The inverted telescopic fork and pro-link rear suspension system use the same structure as the suspension system on the 125cc GP-legal Honda RS125R, though the settings are customized specifically for the NSF250R. The frame is as compact as the RS125R’s frame but has a revised rigidity balance Honda says offers cornering and nimbleness that matches or exceeds the RS125R.

Honda plans to begin sales of the NSF250R in December with a price tag of 23,600 euros (US$34,070).

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Honda NSF250R Moto3 Race Bike Revealed
Honda Developing NRS250 Moto3 Racebike

[Source: Honda, Honda Specs]

Yamaha marks its 50th year in World Championship Grand Prix racing this year, and what better way to celebrate the anniversary than with a special edition livery?

The special edition WGP50th Anniversary Yamaha YZR-M1 livery reaches back into Yamaha’s past for its classic red-and-white colors inspired by its first factory team in 1961.

Reigning MotoGP Champion and current points leader Jorge Lorenzo and 2010 MotoGP Rookie of the Year Ben Spies will ride the special edition WGP50th Anniversary livery on their Yamaha YZR-M1 racebikes at the June 25 Assen round and the July 24 U.S. Grand Prix at Laguna Seca. The red and white colors will also be used for Yamaha’s entire staff, team crew and pit box.

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Read the official press release and view the gallery of more pictures after the jump.

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Yamaha Motor Corp. U.S.A. produced a series of videos featuring past and present World Champions Eddie Lawson and Ben Spies. Lawson, the four-time World Grand Prix Champion and Spies, the reigning World Superbike Champion, sat down in front of the cameras to talk about what it means to be champions.

Yamaha has released three episodes, check out the videos after the jump or see them at YChampions.com.

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