MotoGP » Suzuki a 'maybe' for MotoGP 2014

re: "Since bowing out, Suzuki's MotoGP intentions have been kept alive by..."

...denials of history, denials of the recent bankruptcy of their automotive division, and denials that ezpelata himself told them to pound sand when they revealed their 2014 plans were only a 1yr trial basis.

@ petrolbonce "It wouldn't matter how many bikes any given factory entered just so long as the races are interesting. So if the three factories we have want to enter more than four bikes each and can afford to do so, why stop them?"

My guess is this... just like Honda are trying to do anyway with their 'customer RCV' solution, Honda would exercise their Wallet (& to a lesser degree maybe Yamaha, but Yamaha don't have the same finances) and flood the grid with Honda's.
Ok - Moto2 is all Honda motors and that is a much more competitive series. So why should we care as long as its more competitive, right? Wrong. You really think Honda wouldn't be puppeteering the outcome like they do now with Gresini/Repsol, only across a much bigger portion of the field?
Whichever way i look at it - it always comes back to the fact that Factories are actually wrecking racing, & are not the benefactors they sell themselves as.

@ petrolbonce As for the influence on directon and policy you allude to in your post, then I'm with you that this politicking is why Ezplezeta is basically powerless to stop the Factories getting their way.

Which brings it around again - the factories commercial agendas have to by definition go against the best interests of Racing. They don't want competition by nature. Racing DEPENDS on competition. This has to mean that manufacturer's are fundamentally bad for MotoGP. The series has no real depth of field and is rigged (e.g. ask Fausto Gresini if he can beat a Repsol).
Its a small leap from there to working out that MotoGP needs rules that foster close racing - which has to mean independent teams not factories. Why? Independents need competitive racing and a good spectacle to attract sponsors, and MotoGP needs it for the TV money and the fans. Just my opinion.

@ petrolbonce "you have to remember that Honda alone of all the major teams there have ever been in the sport have previously threatened to leave because of a rule change and have followed through on that threat."
Yes, I am aware of this (bit before my time tho). This is only a problem though if it is certain that if Honda did walk, that it is to the detriment of MotoGP. I'm no insider so can only comment on generalities and overview - but the long-term view I have is that losing Honda (or indeed ALL the factory efforts might actually BENEFIT the sport. Why? Because it would enable the rules to foster close competitive real racing, not a 3-tier farce. This improves the spectacle and the appeal to independent teams and sponsors alike. Much more of the racers in the field wld have the chance to really compete as well. It may be a pipedream, but its better than what we have now IMO

I can pretty much 99.9% confirm that Denning will not have anything to do with this project, so no Hopper i'm affraid.

@TalentFan you have to remember that Honda alone of all the major teams there have ever been in the sport have previously threatened to leave because of a rule change and have followed through on that threat.

Back when the FIM threatened to limit the number of cylinders and gears in each class, allegedly to make the sport cheaper and more competitive (ring any bells?) Honda threatened to leave if they did. The FIM called their bluff then and Honda walked. They may do the same again. Maybe they don't have as strong a personality as old Soichiro at the helm now, but it's still a precedent.

However things don't work now like they did in the sixties. Back then the FIM had almost absolute control, now there is the GPC. Dorna, IRTA, the FIM and the MSMA are all represented on the GPC. As such Honda have considerable influence on the GPC (as do Ducati and Yamaha) through their representation by the MSMA and IRTA. Remember the representatives of these groups have to speak for their members.

Perfect. Hopper21 gets hip replacement!!! Tests Suzuki 2013. Rides Suzuki 2014.......everyone's happy!!

I would agree. I think Honda are bluffing and would fall in line with a set of rules and regs that make for better racing. Their claim that they race to do research for their street bikes makes no sense. If they wanted to test for improved fuel economy and TC, seems to me there are better ways to achieve that then by racing in motogp....like in the world that most of their customers exist.

"The main thing is to have more competitive races. If we can do that with more manufacturers than all the better, but having competitive bikes is the key."

Which argues against limiting each factory to four bikes. It wouldn't matter how many bikes any given factory entered just so long as the races are interesting. So if the three factories we have want to enter more than four bikes each and can afford to do so, why stop them?

Yes I know it was strongly rumoured that the four bike rule was introduced as a sop to those teams who wanted to retain the rookie rule, but the rookie rule was bloody stupid. It had potential to actually restrict competition and excitement and only lasted for three seasons. It should have been killed off and there was no need to offer anything to those who wanted to keep it.

Perhaps one good idea would be to try to encourage Suzuki and Kawasaki to come back as engine suppliers. And to get BMW, Aprillia and anybody else who could make the grade to join in too.

Couldn't agree more. Even if honda aren't bluffing by the sounds of it a few more manufacturers will join and the racing will be competitive everyone wins.. Except probably Honda.