600gp it is.. was "600gp 4-strokes? not so fast..."

[derby]

we discussed the initial "news report" here.

it appears that aprilia and ktm (rightfully) aren't too happy with the ~600cc inline-4 proposal:

http://blogger.xs4all.nl/daisy/archive/2008/06/03/394085.aspx

[ducpainter]

The 500cc twin is a better option IMO.

I'll still miss the 2 smokers when they go.

[ZLTFUL]

Maybe a max displacement 4 stroke rule with no configuration requirements like in MotoGP...

500 or 600 cc 4 stroke in which ever configuration you want...but still prototype like engines. No factory 600s being stroked, massaged, etc.

Sounds like a recipe for mega rev ceiling screamers with potential to be similar in characteristics to a 250 2 stroke...

Frankly, I wish all classes still allowed 2 strokes. Screw the hippies! Let em race!  [moto]

[Ducatiloo]

Maybe a max displacement 4 stroke rule with no configuration requirements like in MotoGP...

500 or 600 cc 4 stroke in which ever configuration you want...but still prototype like engines. No factory 600s being stroked, massaged, etc.

Sounds like a recipe for mega rev ceiling screamers with potential to be similar in characteristics to a 250 2 stroke...

Frankly, I wish all classes still allowed 2 strokes. Screw the hippies! Let em race!  [moto]

+1  This seems like the idea that factory would be able to live with.

[derby]

oh well...

http://roadracingworld.com/news/article/?article=33040

[Ducatiloo]

The end of an era 

[gm2]

same info, i suspect

http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2008/New+600cc+4+stroke+class+to+replace+250cc+from+2011

[derby]

The end of an era 

but still 3 years away.

[desmoquattro]

What happens when some of these 600cc machines start going faster than the tail-end of the 800cc grid?

Oh yeah, that's right: we'll laugh 

[gm2]

hey!  leave the other ducati bikes out of this!

[desmoquattro]

hey!  leave the other ducati bikes out of this!

See, I was gonna make fun of Melandri in my post. But I just can't bring myself to do it. He's won multiple GP races...something's gotta be wrong for him to go so poorly.

...and I shudder to think that Gibernau might come back 

[derby]

...and I shudder to think that Gibernau might come back 

he's ok as long as he can keep his head on straight.

[Ducatiloo]

but still 3 years away.

That's what GB said obout Hong Kong.  It will sneak up fast.

[gm2]

See, I was gonna make fun of Melandri in my post. But I just can't bring myself to do it. He's won multiple GP races...something's gotta be wrong for him to go so poorly.

yup...
http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/68689

but it's not like guintoli or elias are causing any of the other riders to lose sleep, either.

...or for that matter (last year) capi, hoffman, or barros

[sqweak]

this all brings up an interesting point, if this is going to make this class closer to GP...will we see some folks staying in it rather than making the jump?  Or some backmarkers moving down to be big fish in a little pond?