Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
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INTERVIEW P108 FIM PRESIDENT VITO IPPOLITO Like all racing fans I hope that the move to production engines is only a temporary blip. Do you think that in time GP racing will become full prototype again? In the end, the first problem is the FIM makes the rules and makes the sports, but doesn't make the bikes. [Laughs] We have to take, to consider what the industry is doing. This is a hypothesis: within 10 years maybe we will have a very good economic situation. But now, we have to think for the next 10 years, and I don't think there is the possibility to increase the cost and the investment. Should there be two major series? What about making one championship out of World Superbike and MotoGP. No, no I don't think so. We think that MotoGP is the classic race of motorbike sport. Superbike was born to satisfy the need to see streetbikes on the track. And we have to respect the select nature of these categories. I think we have enough space for Superbike also. Doesn't this create a need to slow the production bikes down a bit, if MotoGP is going to get slower also? Yes, this is question. For this reason we are talking with Superbikes about reducing costs. We have to come back a little in the specifications. It is not necessary to have such high-spec bikes. The manufacturers are interested in Superbike as a way to show 106-108 Ippolito Interview.indd 108 their products,. They don't need to invest in sophistication in Superbikes. We have MotoGP for this purpose. At the moment, Dorna looks after the business side and the FIM the sporting side. Is it difficult for you to agree? Yes, it is difficult but not because of the relationship between Dorna and the FIM. The problem is that we have a contract with Dorna, but we have manufacturers and also teams, with different requirements. In any case we have to work in the same direction, Dorna and the FIM, but we have to take care what the manufacturers are thinking or what they need. This is the difficulty of our sport, and of all motorsport federations – they have to think of many stakeholders, not just one. I don't think we can say this is a thing that the FIM will decide. Maybe we work hard, with a lot of fight, but we are working deeply and daily with promoters and manufacturers. Especially in the last six months, as I said, we worked on our relationship with the factories, independently of Dorna. Coming back to the ECU/ rev-limit proposal, Carmelo Ezpeleta told me that in the end, the FIM and Dorna have the authority to impose whatever you like, if the GP Commission doesn't come up with agreement. Is that right? Yes, both of us. The president of the FIM and the CEO of Dorna make up the Permanent Bureau, and in the end, we can decide by ourselves. If there is no decision by May, maybe we will have to do that. And are you in agreement with Carmelo? Yes, yes. We have a very smooth relationship, a very good understanding. Of course sometimes we have different opinions, but mainly we both understand that we have to take care of all the stakeholders. But you said earlier that you don't agree with the proposal. How so? Not completely disagree. Maybe I am not fully convinced. In this case it is my personal opinion. Maybe for myself I need to study this issue a little more, and talk internally with the technicians. So I understood the need, and I accepted that we needed to put this proposal on the table. And what if it comes to the point that Carmelo insists on adopting it as is? Always a fight is possible. But in any case, I repeat, I have to understand better this matter. We are not against, and simply we have to see other ideas. In the end I believe we will find a good solution. Maybe we have to accept [the proposal] 100 percent, if all of the people inside the FIM agree and tell me it is the best proposal. I think the direction is good, and we will wait and see. CN 12/9/11 2:59 PM