Honda pulls out of F1, now USA roadracing.... MotoGP next?

[derby]

http://roadracingworld.com/news/article/?article=35264
http://superbikeplanet.com/2008/Dec/081230b.htm

[derby]

So the competition will be between Honda, Yamaha, Ducati and on a rare occasion Suzuki?  How is that any different than what we have already? 

less bikes on the grid and a less populated track...less excitement....I mean..sometimes it is fun to watch the tail end of the grid fight for 14th place afterall.

more definitively, if there aren't enough bikes (or cars, in formula 1) on the track for an "official" world championship, the season would be run as a "cup".

[Spidey]

more definitively, if there aren't enough bikes (or cars, in formula 1) on the track for an "official" world championship, the season would be run as a "cup".

please be esplainin' to me

[derby]

please be esplainin' to me

http://www.motogpmatters.com/news/2008/12/16/honda_could_announce_motogp_withdrawal_o.html

If Honda did pull out of MotoGP, it would have a devastating effect on the series. Honda currently provides 6 of the 19 bikes on the grid, and with FIM rules requiring a minimum of 15 entries for a world championship series, the prospects of the 2009 MotoGP season being run as a cup, with no world title at stake, do not bode well.

FIM/FIA world championships require a minimum number of participants on the grid.

[Spidey]

That sucks.  It was 19, right?  Now it's down to 17.

What's the real effect of it being a Cup as opposed to a World Championship?  Other than the competitors--who want to be crowned World Champ--who cares?  It shouldn't affect sponsors or viewership or factory involvement, especially if it's for only one year. Right?


P.S.  That would definitely throw a wrench in Vale's run at Ago's record.  'course, Vale can brag that he won some races that Ago didn't -->  MotoGP Cup races.   

[derby]

italian rumors say Kawasaki is out as well from the motoGp
http://it.eurosport.yahoo.com/30122008/45/stagione-2009-si-ritira-kawasaki-melandri.html

http://ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=16386.msg299519#msg299519

[superjohn]

Shouldn't there be another topic for Kawasaki pulling out since the title of this thread is limited to Honda?

[Capo]

Shouldn't there be another topic for Kawasaki pulling out since the title of this thread is limited to Honda?

There is in the General Monster Forum

http://ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=17063.0

[zooom]

well...generally speaking yes...but since we went off tangent to dwindling numbers...I think we are on topic despite the Honda title...

[ducpainter]

well...generally speaking yes...but since we went off tangent to dwindling numbers...<snip>

That shocks the shit out of me...

[zooom]

That shocks the shit out of me...

how many amps did we use in that charge again?....   

[gm2]

http://www.motogpmatters.com/news/2008/12/31/canepa_to_be_shifted_sideways_off_to_joi.html

more bad news, but then not.  pramac drops 1 rider due to loss of Alice sponsorship, but then Gibernau's should-have-been-a-Bond-villain new boss picks him up.

[geoffduc]

To my mind the writing was on the wall when honda got rid of David Richards who had pulled that team up from the back of the grid to 2nd behind those bloody red cars and as for MGP honda still want to sell motorcycles so hopefully the bike side of the business will be OK

[gm2]

Honda remains committed to MotoGP