Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/128364
[) acing bosses may have to seek ways to I'bring factory test teams under the same sort of restrictions as active Grand Prix racing teams after Bridgestone has gone steaming through a massive loophole that will allow them to circumvent the restrictions. This was confirmed by Dorna CEO Carmela Ezpeleta, in an exclusive interview, in response to news that Bridgestone plans to have two test teams for 2005 with two manufacturers - Ducati and Suzuki. This will allow Bridgestone to develop tires and machine settings at any tracks it chooses. Rules currently in force ban GP racers from testing on any GP circuits umil after the GP. This prevents richer teams gaining prior advantage with private pre-race testing. But there are no restrictions on test teams. The Bridgestone-shod test teams employ the same pair of Japanese riders who led early Bridgestone development testing, shinichi Itoh and Nobuatsu Aoki (Ducati and Suzuki, respectively), "The rules do not say anything about separate teams," said Ezpeleta. speaking MotoGP grids, former Dorna adversary Kenny Roberts is high on the list for special financial backing for the coming season. With the Spanish firm anxious to keep the inde- pendent British-based manufacturer's team alive, especially with the switch to KTM engines, Ezpeleta confirmed that Dorna had already put its weight behind the 2005 project. Team Roberts lost its Proton backing at the end of last season after two bar- ren years developing the unsuccessful V-fIVe, and the team is searching for back- ing for 2005. Its own engine shelved, Team Roberts plans to field a one-rider team with the same KR chassis fitted with the Austrian V-four KTM engine. It has already run several highly Kenny's team to stay in racing." He did not rule out financial assistance, Dorna is negotiating on a country-bycountry basis on how to deal with the Former three-time World Champion which he said had been given to both Sito Roberts went independent in the two- Pons and Luis d'Antin for their teams in forthcoming EEC ban on tobacco advertising, which comes into force in July. Beyond this year, it may need to add one more tobacco-friendly "flyaway" GP from his office in Madrid. This left the way open for both Ducati and Suzuki, and had led to fresh concerns from Michelin, which was until now the dominant tire supplier. stroke years, with the Modenas of 1997. At "When Michelin, Bridgestone and Dunlop together made a proposal [last the time, he spoke out against Dorna, the past. MotoGP is already faced with the loss of believing it had promised to back his enter- one team from last year, with Aprilia With- to the calendar, to keep sufficient quota for year] to cut costs by reducing the number of tires supplied, we were in favor," prise then reneged on that promise. Now, draWing after the cash-strapped manufac- sponsors that help is at last being given. Ezpeleta admitted that Dorna had already put its weight behind the KR-KTM turer was taken over by Piaggio. "We have one manufacturer less, but Fortuna, Camel etc., Ezpeleta said. Ezpeleta said. "But at the last meeting of the GP Commission, Michelin withdrew their support from the proposal. They said that if Bridgestone were to make a test team, then Michelin would be obliged to do the same. And also Honda and Yamaha." The extra cost would be considerable. "For this year. the test teams can go ahead," Ezpeleta said. "But for the future, we need to discuss some way to regulate the situation." The Spanish Dorna boss clearly ruled out any move to one-brand spec tires, in line with World superbike's move to Pirellis. "That is out of the question," he said. After the loss of Aprilia from the promising tests with this engine. project, persuading Michelin to make tires we still have 24 bikes. I have always said that 20 is enough," said Ezpeleta. But he hoped Aprilia might be back for 2006. Marlboro, Gauloises, "Until then, the situation is as at pres- ent," he said. ':A.fter July, we are dealing with the different countries, negotiating through the minister of sport with the min- available for the final test of the V-four machine last year. (The team had been using Dunlop tires all season.) Jeremy McWilliams posted highly competitive lap "We can understand with the new management that they can miss one year, but if times on this bike, with the promise of more to come. they don't come back, that is not so good," Ezpeleta said. "I don't know how much difference it made, but we asked Michelin to support Asked to confirm ever-growing rumors Dutch governments. I don't expect that we that BMW intends to enter MotoGp, perhaps as soon as 2006, Ezpeleta said: "I will have to add many more flyaway GPs - that test and also to supply the team tires for the coming season," Ezpeleta said. ':At the time, they were not so sure, but since then Ducati has left Michelin, so perhaps they will be able to supply the team. We try to help all the teams any way we can, but it is very important for us to try to help HIRED: Former Mark Burkhart (supermoto) mechanic Tryce Welch by DeMay Racing as assistant race technician. Welch will assist team owner Babe DeMay in the preparation of AMA Grand National number-33 J.R. Schnabel's Memphis Shades/Parts Unlimited-backed racing motorcycles for the 2005 racing season. AUTOGRAPH SIGNING: At Millenium Cycle Works in Lilburn, Georgia, on Friday, February 25, from 7 to 8 p.m. Team Kawasaki's James Stewart, Michael Byrne, Matt Walker mation, call 770/985-8595. FEBRUARY 9,2005 • CYCLE NEWS ister of health. We do not anticipate too many problems - talks are going well in Italy and Portugal, and we are discussing the situation also with the Spanish and maybe one more." believe they are still considering that. For 2004 and 2005, Qatar and China BMW is already involved with MotoGp, as have been added to the calendar, increasing our official car and so on. I am aware of the the number of venues that bikes can run possibility, and in 2006, our contract gives fully branded and where tobacco sponsors us the right to allocate places to two more manufacturers." can buy naming rights and track signage. ACCEPTING: Bect Chemicals is currently accepting racer resumes for the 2005 season. Resumes can be sent to 200 I Lemoyne Ave., Syracuse. NY I32OB. AUTOGRAPH SIGNING: At Dreyer Yamaha in Indianapolis, Indiana, on Friday, February II, from 6 to 7 p,m. Factory Yamaha riders Chad Reed, David Vuillemin and Tim Ferry, along with factory-supported rider Heath Voss and Yamaha of Troy riders Brock Sellards and Kelly Smith, are all scheduled to appear, For more information, call 317/243-2203. and Grant Langston are scheduled to appear. For more infor- 12 like SIGNED: MSR and Team BluestarrMX.com rider Sarah Michael Scott Whitmore have announced that the two parties have reached an agreement for Whitmore to use and endorse MSR appar- el for the 2005 racing season. Whitmore was named "the fastest girl in America" in the March 2004 issue of TransWorld Motocross magazine. The 20-year-old Michigan native is a three-time Loretta Lynn's champion (1999, 2000 and 2003) and has been one of the top podium finishers in the WMA Nationals for the past three years. OPENED: Road racer John Hopkins' redesigned home page on the World Wide Web. The site can be found at the following address: www.hopperracing.com.