Moto3 Class
The FIM in agreement with the MSMA (the manufacturers association) are shaping the future of the MotoGP World Championship. It was recently confirmed that the new Moto3 class would replace the current 125cc MotoGP class in 2012.
Historically, the 125cc GP machines have been restricted to a single-cylinder 2-stroke engines with a minimum weight of 80 kilograms. From 2005 onwards, all riders in the 125cc class could not be older than 28 years or 25 years for new contracted riders participating for the first time (this age limit also applies to wild-cards).
In 2008 discussions arose surrounding the replacement of the 2-stroke 250cc class with a new GP category. The move to 600cc 4-stroke Honda spec engines to replace the 250cc race bikes took effect in 2010, with the establishment of the new and very exciting Moto2 series.
Now, the Grand Prix Commission, composed of Messrs. Carmelo Ezpeleta (Dorna, Chairman), Claude Danis (FIM), Hervé Poncharal (IRTA) and Takanao Tsubouchi (MSMA), in the presence of M. Paul Butler, in a meeting held on August 14th, 2010 in Brno (Czech Republic), unanimously decided the following basic technical rules for the proposed Moto3 class:
> Single cylinder 250cc 4-stroke engines with a maximum bore of 81 mm.
> Each Moto3 engine should last for 3 races minimum and cost not more than 10,000 € (~$15,000 USD) (final cost will be announced).
> Each Moto3 Chassis manufacturer if required should be ready to supply a minimum of 15 riders.
> This proposal has been agreed by the majority of MSMA.
The confirmation of the single-cylinder 250cc 4-stroke engine configuration is exciting news as this platform has already been highly developed in the world of motocross.
If Moto3 follows suit with Moto2, we can expect expanded grids, closer competition, lower cost and even more exciting motorcycling racing in 2012. More details to follow here at Ultimate Motorcycling… stay tuned!