Kawasaki pull out of MotoGP

DevilsAdvocate

DevilsAdvocate

DevilsAdvocate

Associate
Joined
17 Jul 2006
Posts
756
Location
West Midlands
Heard it this morning on the radio and looks like its for sure.

Kawasaki pulls team out of MotoGP

Japanese manufacturer Kawasaki has pulled out of MotoGP to cut costs amid the global financial crisis.

"We took the final decision not to continue in MotoGP," said Kawasaki's Katsuhiro Sato. "It's something we have been considering since mid-December.

"In the current economic climate and unless the situation improves it is difficult to say if we will return."

Kawasaki had competed in motorcycling's premier class since the 2003 season, with annual costs of around £28.8m.

The worldwide economic downturn has also affected other Japanese marques involved in motorsport.

Honda announced in December it is quitting Formula One, while Subaru and Suzuki are out of the World Rally Championship.

Kawasaki has also felt the bite with sales of its bikes in the United States and Europe badly hit by the economic slump.

Dutch-based Kawasaki Motors Racing failed to win in MotoGP, their best result French rider Randy de Puniet's second place in Japan in 2007.

Kawasaki's decision leaves American John Hopkins and Italy's Marco Melandri looking for rides ahead of the 2009 season.

Melandri, who has won five MotoGPs, finished runner-up to compatriot Valentino Rossi in 2005.

Kawasaki's exit, assuming its two bikes are not taken on by an independent team, leaves the MotoGP grid with 17 riders. Points are awarded down to 15th place.
Click to expand...

Sauce
 
Fireskull said:
Ducati are out of British superbikes aswell :/
Click to expand...

There are no fewer bikes on the grid though, as Yamaha's are being used for the Airwaves and NW200 teams instead. It is however a shame that there is less variety in the manufacturers. WSB should be interesting though, what with BMW and Aprilia adding to the an already pretty strong showing of bikes.

With Kawasaki pulling out it leaves even fewer bikes, on an already small grid. :(
 
The team's departure leaves their 2009 riders John Hopkins and Marco Melandri looking for new employment, although efforts are already underway to place the former factory bikes with leading 125cc and 250cc team Aspar, who had come close to a satellite Kawasaki MotoGP deal last autumn.
Click to expand...

Source

Let's hope something comes of this!
 
thought this may happen
bad luck for John Hopkins and Marco Melandri
i don't think we will see them in motoGP this year now as teams are set
and Marco Melandri it was the only team he could really go to after his 08 results
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom