MOTOGP » Dorna: Kawasaki must race, will test!

I hope they do agree to race in 09. Hopefully by the end of the season, the econonmy might be a bit better, or costs will be down, and they will stick in for 10/11

I don't understand this, if Kawasaki is "Broke" why would Dorna force them to race? I imagine if they succeed on forcing kawasaki to race, then most likely we'll see a repeat of 2008 season .... the green back marker. Poor melandri and hopkins ...

lol

Been odd start to finish the Kawasaki saga.

If they do race

I bet it will be Kawasaki's best year so far haha


Engine development they speak of I imagine would be Akira, who have Kawasaki links in wsbk.

Trouble is we could get to a situation where kawasaki turn up, wobble round in practice, fail to qualify and go home. They have then met their contractual obligations but makes a mokery of the whole of motogp. That would mean zero development and if they cut back on PR and hospitality then it would be cheaper than being taken to court.

Why don't dorna just pay kawasaki to give their team to Aspar. bet there are some big back handers flying around now

What about giving it to Birdy to look after - bet he would take it on

This is pointless. Kawasaki won't develop the bike all season to save cash, and it will fall off the pace even further. Maybe they should just super impose pictures of the kawasaki's on the starting grid for the tv audience at home. It will be the only time they will be seen on tv aside from being lapped.

Playing that kind of heavy hand is hardly going to win Dorna any friends. While WSBK is welcoming new teams with open arms, Dorna is bullying their teams with threats of court action ...

One wonders, if staff at Kawasaki are retrenched because the team is now forced to race ... can we see those staff taking Dorna to court for compensation?

I can understand Dorna's point of view otherwise what is the point of having the factories sign contracts. but on the flipside as has been mentioned. Kawi could just show up and wabble around and that would be worse for the show than only having 17 bikes.

I'm all for cost cutting but I cringe everytime I hear about requiring engines to last a certain number of weekends. That is stupid because things happen and to punish a team for that is absurd. Instead of going that route bringing the spec down to a level that would encourage duribility as much as outright power would accomplish the same thing. Results should be determined on the track not off it

Odd state of affairs for certain. As for Mr. Bryant's comments I think the reliability/cost rules could be met by the same ends and 'punishment' be realistic. I doubt a complete disqualification for a race weekend would be the penalty. But rather some other form of encouragement or deterrence. But your points bring up a great question: what is the purpose of the championship? If it's really to be a contest of manufacturer's ability, endurance racing would be the better test. It's a great test of teams, riders, factories AND tires. But sadly does not work well with television. What is more important, the contest or TV?

As far as I'm concerned, Kawasaki is pulling the shag over Dorna. Team Green isn't "out of money" considering companies like Ducati and Suzuki are still in it. Granted, Kawasaki ain't Honda, but it's certainly on par (money- and size-wise) with the others. Not only that, but the freakin' team is TESTING AS WE SPEAK!!! The simple fact of the matter is this: 1) The money is said to be budgeted for the 2008 season: 2) They have a contract. Dorna will take them to court as ANYONE WOULD for BREACH OF CONTRACT! It's not bullying, it's a business. Kawasaki is just trying to take the easy way out for fielding a crap bike with two crap riders.

With regards to the comment posted by "Soops", it sounds to me like he should be building bikes for Kawasaki GP..and riding them for that matter! Probably one of those guys who rides a push bike wearing a full set of leathers!