MotoGP Features

Here are some of the latest credible rumours passed on to Crash.net by sources within the Sepang paddock:

the latest news from around the world, courtesy of press snoop Lynne Huntting

Most people reckoned that Red Bull would be underwriting the estimated $2million cost for safety upgrades to Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca in order for FIM approval of the 2005 Moto GP. But not so. Red Bull will be the title sponsor for the 2005 US Grand Prix, but the cost for improvements will be borne by Yamaha, which is pleased to do so and celebrate its 50th anniversary with 100,000 fans.

Due to the Sepang circuit's hairpins and numerous hard braking areas a fast lap comes down to braking stability and the bike's turn-in characteristics. Two such areas include the combination of long straights and hairpins that make up the final sequence of the 5542m layout.

Valentino Rossi has rejected rumours that he is set to switch to Formula One next season - by confirming that he'll stay in MotoGP, with Yamaha, until at least the end of 2005.

Aprilia MotoGP rider Jeremy McWilliams was an interested observer at the Imola World Superbike round today (Friday), where he admitted that a switch to WSBK was 'getting more like reality' and that while he could stay in MotoGP next season he 'quite fancies a change' in the near future.

The recent announcement that, from next year, there will be no stopping for rain in premier-class racing has resulted in considerable debate throughout the MotoGP world - not least among the participants of the Crash.net MotoGP forum - with a great deal of uncertainty raised by the following brief statement released by the FIM:

Like many things designed and built in Japan, Motegi is exceptional in its design and circuit quality - the surface is seamlessly smooth, offering high levels of grip, and the facilities are exceptional.

Outside of the pit lane, the importance of tyres is often overlooked, but while they may look relatively modest - being less eye-catching than aerodynamic bodywork and much quieter than a high revving engine - the rest of a racing motorcycle is largely useless without them.

Estoril, venue for this weekend's Portuguese Grand Prix, is a technically challenging venue, due to a combination of its design and geography.

the latest news from around the world, courtesy of press snoop Lynne Huntting.

After weeks of rumours, Sports Car Racing Association of Monterey Peninsula (SCRAMP) and Dorna Sports announced that they have "reached an agreement in principal to bring FIM MotoGP World Championships to Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca for five years, starting next season".

Aprilia's Shane Byrne starts the second half of a 'character building' rookie MotoGP season with his home event, the British Grand Prix, this weekend at Donington Park.