http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2008/New+600cc+4+stroke+class+to+replace+250cc+from+2011

Apparently it's a done deal. The 2-stroke era is on it's way out the door. Begining in 2011, the 250GP class is being replaced with 600cc 4-strokes. Maybe DMG is on the right track after all. Matching up with the feeder classes for MotoGP. [ok don't shoot the messenger!]


On Friday 27th June at the A-Style TT Assen the FIM made the following announcement:

The Grand Prix Commission, composed of Messrs. Carmelo Ezpeleta (Dorna, Chairman), Claude Danis (FIM), Herve Poncharal (IRTA) and Takanao Tsubouchi (MSMA), in the presence of Mr. Paul Butler (Secretary of the meeting), unanimously decided to introduce the following change to the FIM Road Racing World Championship Grand Prix Regulations.

Technical Regulations - 2.11 Fuel, Oil and Coolants
2.11.2 Unleaded petrol will comply with the FIM Grand Prix specifications (in conformity with the new EU Standards) if:
a) it has the following characteristics: Sulphur (mg/kg) 10 (instead of 50) – application as from 1.1.2009

Replacement of the 250cc class
For application from 1.1.2011, the Grand Prix Commission accepted the following proposal, taken by the majority of members of MSMA: 4-stroke engines of 600cc maximum and 4 cylinders maximum. A request will be sent to all manufacturers. The candidatures of the manufacturers interested in taking part in the new class must be sent to the FIM and Dorna by July 31, 2008 at the latest. More precise technical specifications will then be discussed and established.

Only a matter of time before the two smokes go the way of the dodo bird. Not exactly shocking that this is coming along. In a couple years the 125 two smokes will also go away. I think it can be good for the sport if it's done right.

I have been pretty surprised it has lasted this long. I love 2-stroke racing both spectating and participating but, have given up the ghost and now am a 4-stroker again. They are actually much easier to maintain and less costly to operate. This results in more time to focus on racing and less wrenching. That is a good thing for a one man operation.

Here is the latest (again from Motosprint... and again in brief, as I have to finish reading it (and I'm hooked on DS9 right now)).

The new rules are pretty much a joke. Nobody really understands the point. Basically it is expected that it will become a mono-mark (or single mark... or whatever you say in english... spec maybe) series. The idea seems to be that nobody has a chance of putting together a proposal by the end of this month (the deadline) outside of Honda. So most seem to think it will be an all Honda series. But the strange thing is that none of the Jap manufacturers are really even talking about it, and none seem overly excited about it.

Meanwhile, on the other hand, you have Aprilia and KTM who are totally upset about it (and rightfully so). KTM isn't talking, and Aprilia said they haven't made a decision yet...

BUT the interesting part is that the WSBK guys (Flaminni brothers) have jumped into the mix! Many seem to think there will still be a large market/demand for the two strokes in the future, and so the idea is that will try and make the 250's a support class for WSBK. It sort of makes sense if Aprilia and KTM are racing WSBK, as the logistics could sort of work out a bit.

I still have to read up, but obviously this idea is causing a stir. Some would see a 250/WSBK weekend as a pretty competitive alternative to 600's and MotoGP.

X1TX - 28 June 2008 07:41 AM

Only a matter of time before the two smokes go the way of the dodo bird. Not exactly shocking that this is coming along. In a couple years the 125 two smokes will also go away. I think it can be good for the sport if it's done right.

125's could become those 450F super singles.

joe_b - 09 July 2008 09:24 AM

125's could become those 450F super singles.

Kind of what I was thinking.

KingKenny - 28 June 2008 12:50 AM

The 2-stroke era is on it's way out the door. Begining in 2011, the 250GP class is being replaced with 600cc 4-strokes.

When is swamp's party????????

Kind of old new news,if that makes sense.Its been bantered around for a while now and was going to happen in 09,then 2010,now for sure 2011.If factories race to sale bikes,2 strokes make no sense at all since there is basically no market for them.Throw in the ever tightening environmental standards and they are do-do birds.I think it will be a great thing for American riders to not be behind the eight ball when it comes to moving on to GP.The European cats will still have the track knowledge advantage but they wont have a riding style advantage.As far as DMG being on the right track,we are still talking support series being 600's,not the main attraction

Interesting interview with Criville.

http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/10072008/23/interview-alex-criville.html