Proposal submitted for four-stroke lower cylinder category

Dorna Sports CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta today made the proposal for a four-stroke intermediate World Championship class -to be introduced in 2011- to the other members of the Grand Prix Commission (FIM, MSMA, IRTA). The specifics of the idea were presented to the three organisations, with reactions and suggestions to be heard next month at the next meeting of the sport's rule-making body at the Catalunya circuit.

`MSMA had suggested to us that we finish with the 250cc two-strokes in 2010, and that we start a new four-stroke category in 2011. We will do that, and today we have simply proposed our opinion to the MSMA, FIM, and IRTA,´ commented Mr. Ezpeleta after submitting the proposal.

`We want the class to be competitive, cheaper and a prototype series. We already had some manufacturers announce that they would not be continuing to make two stroke machines, because of the production cost and the fact that they were not interested in making that kind of street bike. They aren´t developing this type of techonology and want to do other things.´

Many of the current MotoGP stars, including the current World Championship top four of Dani Pedrosa, Jorge Lorenzo, Valentino Rossi and Casey Stoner, worked their way up through the 125cc and 250cc classes, and Mr. Ezpeleta emphasised the importance of the lower cylinder categories for riders to hone their craft.

`For us the lower cylinder categories are very important; they are where the riders develop their skills, and we need to have as much competitiveness as we can.´

Whilst the new four-stroke category would replace the 250cc category, there are currently no plans to alter the format of the 125cc class.

The Grand Prix Commission is made up of the FIM's Road-Racing Commission President Claude Danis, IRTA President Herve Poncharal, MSMA Secretary General Takanao Tsobouchi, Race Director Paul Butler as Secretary General, and Dorna CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta as President of the Commission.