Team green still in MotoGP

636blurr · 01-08-2009, 02:11 PM

Soup :: Kawasaki Apparently No Longer Quitting MotoGP? :: 01-08-2009

Kawasaki Apparently No Longer Quitting MotoGP?
by dean adams
Thursday, January 08, 2009

The press release from Kawasaki that was due on the fifth never came; in fact little more than a stony silence ever came from Kawasaki in the new year.

It's rumored that some correspondence from Spain to Japan did happen, where it is further rumored that Dorna notified Kawasaki that in accordance with the contract that they signed (with Dorna when they joined MotoGP) that Kawasaki would be on the hook for something like 20 million Euros for each of the 2009-2011 seasons if they decided to drop out of MotoGP.

Also, an MSMA (Motorcycle Sports Manufacturers' Association) meeting happened, but details from that are not known.

Reportedly, Dorna informed several of the parties involved today that Kawasaki is no longer dropping out of MotoGP and they will field a two-rider team in 2009. The management of the team seems to be up in the air, but indications are that there will be two green MotoGP bikes on the grid this season.

ENDS

TalkofDC · 01-08-2009, 02:45 PM

so now we have factory teams pulling patented Paris Hilton type publicity stunts???

I did think it was kinda funny that Kawi not racing a GP bike next year would be kinda lame and even bigger news than just on forums....I mean they are part of the B4 you know.

MJ939 · 01-08-2009, 03:11 PM

It would be awesome if Kawasaki stayed in. Their pullout was/is worrying to the greater survival of MotoGp as we know it. At this point, though, it's hard to know what to believe.

clockworkjon · 01-08-2009, 03:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TalkofDC

so now we have factory teams pulling patented Paris Hilton type publicity stunts???

I did think it was kinda funny that Kawi not racing a GP bike next year would be kinda lame and even bigger news than just on forums....I mean they are part of the B4 you know.

I originally heard about it on Autosport.com. They've had pretty decent coverage for the past week or so. Check it out.

If this recent development is true, that great. I'd hate to see such a major (though mediocre) team pull out. I don't really care about Kawi, but I would hate for things to get worse and have Yamaha or Honda drop out. *shiver*

636blurr · 01-08-2009, 03:18 PM

I do not think it was a publicity stunt at all, IM sure kawi crunched the numbers and said well shit, this does not make any sense, but a contract at least for this year is binding, I like motogp, but if I was the CEO of a company the last thing I would be worried about would be a entertainment entity's survival.

Royal Tiger · 01-08-2009, 03:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 636blurr

I do not think it was a publicity stunt at all, IM sure kawi crunched the numbers and said well shit, this does not make any sense, but a contract at least for this year is binding, I like motogp, but if I was the CEO of a company the last thing I would be worried about would be a entertainment entity's survival.

Exactly. Good job Blur.

Joe Average · 01-08-2009, 04:56 PM

i guess they looked at the $20million euro per year it would cost to break the contract and changed their minds.

nee_ dragon · 01-08-2009, 05:00 PM

wow! Dorna strong armed em into staying

rideco · 01-08-2009, 05:07 PM

Well all I have to say if they get a 6th or better all year they should consider it a successful year. I mean if there is anything worse then a gixxah rider its the kawasuckie motogp effort.
rideco

Fun Crusher · 01-08-2009, 05:11 PM

Not exactly a great way to encourage a competitive team in MotoGP.

There are going to be about 5 quick bikes next year in the field and a bunch of people half as fast just rotating around to get a paycheck before they can find a ride in WSBK.

I predict that once the novelty of Nicky moving to ducati and having Gibbers back wears off we're in for one boring season of GPs. I hope I'm wrong but they are going to struggle to have ten decent bikes on the grid.

EJM · 01-08-2009, 05:40 PM

I don't think this is good news either way.

-If kawai was able to pull out, there would be less competition. Bad for the fans

-Dorna is strong arming Kawi into staying, even though it appears Kawi didn't want to stay. Since kawi doesn't want to lose anymore money in MotoGP they may just do a half assed racing approach this year. Just letting the team get by on whatever they can without putting too much money into racing. So we don't get a full effort and the fans still lose.

tarosean · 01-08-2009, 05:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joe Average

i guess they looked at the $20million euro per year it would cost to break the contract and changed their minds.

yeah so Kawi could just show up run sloooooooooooooooooow ass qualifying runs... Not be able to start and head home.

Forcing someone to compete will NOT make for an exciting year.

Royal Tiger · 01-08-2009, 07:10 PM

To be honest, I'm more intrested in World Superbike this year.

636blurr · 01-08-2009, 07:21 PM

I liked WSBK last year better too, and I am excited about it again this year, GP is allright, but I prefer WSBK by far. (irish road racing if I had my way over all of em)

Royal Tiger · 01-08-2009, 07:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 636blurr

I liked WSBK last year better too, and I am excited about it again this year, GP is allright, but I prefer WSBK by far. (irish road racing if I had my way over all of em)

We both KNOW why I'm watching WSB this year!