MotoGP claiming rule dropped

"MotoGP Class - Effective 2014: The engine claiming rule is cancelled completely."
Edwards bike, Spanish MotoGP 2013
Edwards bike, Spanish MotoGP 2013
© Gold and Goose

The 'claiming rule' for privatee𝓡r MotoGP macღhines is to be dropped.

The rule change will be effective immediately "for any CRT entry using the official Magneti Marelli hardware and software" before being cancelled completely for🐎 2014.

Forward Racing (FTR Kawasaki), Avinitia (FTR Kawasaki), Ioda (Suter-BMW) and PBM (PBM-Apr𒉰ilia) already use🐼 the standard Magneti Marelli ECU, which will be compulsory from next season.

Aspar (ART𓆏), Cardion AB (ART) and the second PBM entry (ART) are currently using Aprilia electronics, while Gresini (FTR Honda) runs a Cosworth ECU.

The main purpose of the claiming rule was to limit theܫ use of expensive or secretive technology among the ꦍprivateers.

Dropping the claiming rule means the present (CRT) motorcycles continuing in MotoGP next year will need to upgrade their engi🎉nes to fight at the front of the class, especially given the new wave of manufacturer-backed privateer machinery from Honda, Yamaha and possibly Ducati.

The claiming rule - CRT stands for 'Claiming Rule Team' - was🐭 introduced for the new breed of Superbike-powered bikes that jo🍌ined MotoGP at the start of last season, in order to boost dangerously low grid numbers. CRTs now form half of the 24-rider grid, alongside official prototypes from Honda, Yamaha and Ducati.

'Claiming' of the engine and gea🦩rbox, which can only be done by an MSMA (Manufacturers' Association) member rather than a rival team, has never🍸 occurred and the rule was always intended as a deterrent.

However, 168澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果历史:as previously highlighted, Yamaha's game-changing offer of prototype M1 engines for privateers next season, which the factory will not all🌠ow to be offered for 'claiming' due to their high spec, confirmed that MotoGP faced two main options for 2014:

1. Remove the claiming rule, so that only two classes of bike - 'MSMA' (factory/satellite) and 'non-MSMA' (privateer) - exist. 2. Allow a third variation: 'MSMA', 'non-MSMA'♛ and the present 'CRT' - comprising🅘 of any privateer machines that continue to be part of a claiming rule.

The Grand Prix Commission has decided on💙 option 1.

In addition to the Yamaha engine lease, Honda is building a 'Production' version of its RC213V prototype, while Ducati recently revealed 1🐟68澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果历史:it could offer this year's GP13 motorcycle for use with next yea🐈r's full standard ECU, creating a further privateer option.

Official factory prototypes will also be forced to use the standard ꩲECU hardware from 2014, but can continue developing their own software, for which they face a penalty of four litres less fuel per race and five - rather than twelve - engine changes per se♐ason.

CRTs also have a 𒉰softer rear tyre available relative to the factory machines.

The class-leading Aprilia ART, based on the RSV4 Superbike, is the only complete CRT motorcycle currently on offer from a manufacturer. The other machines have been created by combiningꦯ a bespoke racing chassis (FTR, Suter or PBM) with a modified Superbike engine (Honda, Kawasaki or BMW).

Although Aprilia's involvement in CRT caused initial controversy, the ART ඣ'format' of an off-the-shelf production MotoGP bike looks to have provided a template for Honda's Production Racer.

Unlike the Yamaha engine lease, the privateer Honda will not feature pneumatic valves, or the RC213V's prized seamless-shift gearbox, all꧅owing t🌟he Honda to be sold rather than leased.

Top CRT rider Aleix Espargaro (Aspar ART) has finished eighth at the last three events. The Spaniard beat all four Ducatis and one Yamaha at lඣast S🌳aturday's Assen round.

Read More