A meeting of the Grand Prix Commission - composed of Carmelo Ezpeleta (Dorna, Chairman), Claude Danis (FIM), Hervé Poncharal (IRTA) and Takanao Tsubouchi (MSMA) - at Assen on Friday saw a unanimous decision reached regarding the replacement for the 250GP class.
The announcement confirms that the broad technical basis for the replacement class will be as proposed by the MSMA at Catalunya, 600cc four-strokes, but doesn't address the most significant issue - how the new machines will be made affordable whilst still being classed as prototypes.
"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," read an FIM statement.
"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."
FG Sport, promoter and organiser of the World Superbike and Supersport Championships, believes it has exclusive rights to the use of production-based machines in FIM road racing world championships.
The definition of 'production based' and 'prototype' is sure to remain a hotly discussed issue in the coming weeks and months...
