Kawasaki exits MotoGP
01-01-2009, 09:07 PM
#1
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Kawasaki exits MotoGP
Kawasaki have pulled the plug on their MotoGP program leaving riders John Hopkins and Marco Melandri without rides and destroying the fond myth that the Japanese manufacturers were bound either contractually or by 'gentleman's agreement' to continue indefinitely in MotoGP.
SPEEDtv.com has learned from sources speaking on condition of anonymity that the decision is final and was made “at the highest level of Kawasaki” to halt all plans to race in the FIM MotoGP series in 2009.
Marco Melandri has confirmed this and is looking for a last-minute ride. Both Melandri and Hopkins are still contracted to ride for Kawasaki and might be paid to sit out the season. Melandri, however,has already contacted several World Superbike teams.
Additional sources confirm that Honda HRC considered the possibility of withdrawing as well, but have decided to continue in 2009. They will reevaluate the situation during the season.
SPEEDtv.com has learned from sources speaking on condition of anonymity that the decision is final and was made “at the highest level of Kawasaki” to halt all plans to race in the FIM MotoGP series in 2009.
Marco Melandri has confirmed this and is looking for a last-minute ride. Both Melandri and Hopkins are still contracted to ride for Kawasaki and might be paid to sit out the season. Melandri, however,has already contacted several World Superbike teams.
Additional sources confirm that Honda HRC considered the possibility of withdrawing as well, but have decided to continue in 2009. They will reevaluate the situation during the season.
01-02-2009, 10:41 AM
#2
Heard about it, along with other withdrawals in AMA, as well. As an avid MotoGP and AMA fan, I am very disappointed. But it is what it is; sacrifices need to be made to ensure the survival of something bigger and greater.
But we still have Valentino and Casey!!
I hope Suzuki continues to do well in AMA this year, and pick it up a bit in MotoGP. I'm a total Suzuki whore.
But we still have Valentino and Casey!!
I hope Suzuki continues to do well in AMA this year, and pick it up a bit in MotoGP. I'm a total Suzuki whore.
01-05-2009, 07:29 AM
#3
Senior Moderator
Wow.
01-05-2009, 01:17 PM
#4
6G TLX-S
Kawasaki hasn't been quite up there with the Honda's, Yamaha's, and Ducati's in MotoGP. So there isn't much to lose.
01-06-2009, 09:09 AM
#6
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01-06-2009, 06:28 PM
#7
6G TLX-S
^^^^^ Unfortunately that's the way motor sports are all coming to right now. Poor performance teams quiting the sport, just like Honda in F1. There seems no point to keep sinking mega money supporting a poor performing team during this cash crunch. Auto companies only want people to see their brands ranked top notch, not dead bottom in the sports.
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01-25-2009, 08:46 PM
#8
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Honda Motor Co. has no plans to leave MotoGP, but the company admitted it is considering withdrawing from other categories.
"We have not formally decided yet but we have been looking into the option of pulling out," Honda spokesman Akemi Ando told Reuters.
"It is something we have been thinking about for a while since we pulled out of Formula One.
"We have no plans to leave MotoGP."
Honda announced at the end of last year that it was withdrawing from Formula One racing with intermediate effect because of the world's financial crisis.
The Japanese manufacturer, who announced an operating loss of $2.1 billion for 2009, said its involvement would be mainly reduced in motocross and other forms of off-road racing.
Ando admitted also that there would be no works team at the Suzuka eight-hour World Endurance Race at the circuit owned by Honda.
"It's not strictly accurate to say Honda are pulling out of the Eight-Hour race," said Ando. "It is true that our works teams will not take part.
"But Honda supplies bikes and technical support to many of the teams and 60 percent of the bikes on the grid will still be Honda bikes."
"We have not formally decided yet but we have been looking into the option of pulling out," Honda spokesman Akemi Ando told Reuters.
"It is something we have been thinking about for a while since we pulled out of Formula One.
"We have no plans to leave MotoGP."
Honda announced at the end of last year that it was withdrawing from Formula One racing with intermediate effect because of the world's financial crisis.
The Japanese manufacturer, who announced an operating loss of $2.1 billion for 2009, said its involvement would be mainly reduced in motocross and other forms of off-road racing.
Ando admitted also that there would be no works team at the Suzuka eight-hour World Endurance Race at the circuit owned by Honda.
"It's not strictly accurate to say Honda are pulling out of the Eight-Hour race," said Ando. "It is true that our works teams will not take part.
"But Honda supplies bikes and technical support to many of the teams and 60 percent of the bikes on the grid will still be Honda bikes."
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