Factory 2-MotoGP's newest category

rezonator636 · Mar 7, 2014

After reading both the official post about this on motogp.com, and roadracingworld.com, it seems that this Factory 2 rule affects all bikes running in the "open" class. A bike running an "open" config stays in the open class until it either wins one race, gets two second places, or three thirds. Then, that bike is re-classified to Factory 2, and gets the engine and fuel restriction. So this rule affects every bike running under open rules, including FGM and the teams running RCVs (although realistically we're not going to see an RCV anywhere near the podium, barring several miracles).

In other words, if Dovi bags three third places, while Cal finishes fourth, Dovi loses three engines and 1.5 liters of fuel.

It seems like the smart thing for Ducati to do here is to design their strategy around 22.5 liters and 9 engines for both bikes, just in case either Dovi or Cal go a lot faster than anyone expected. I'm sure GiGi is already doing just that, and so are the folks at FGM. That should settle the issue for now...until Dorna changes the rules again.

thorn14 · Mar 7, 2014

rezonator636

3713861394210624

In other words, if Dovi bags three third places, while Cal finishes fourth, Dovi loses three engines and 1.5 liters of fuel.

Does it apply only to riders, or the whole team?

rezonator636 · Mar 7, 2014

thorn14

3713881394218718

Does it apply only to riders, or the whole team?

The article on roadracingworld.com makes it sound as if it applies to each individual rider. Here's the quote:

"Now, apparently in response to Ducati’s move, Ezpeleta has let it be known that he will immediately add a third MotoGP category called “Factory 2.” According to the interview with Ezpeleta, the new Factory 2 class will be for machines that start in the Open class and achieve one race win, two second-place finishes or three third-place results during the 2014 season. Once a machine is reclassified from Open to Factory 2, it will have its engine allotment reduced from 12 to nine and its maximum fuel load dropped from 24 to 22.5 liters."

Reading that, it sounds as if the rules apply to each individual entry. So it's possible to have a Factory 2 machine and an Open machine on the same team.

rezonator636 · Mar 7, 2014

The latest from Krop: the creation of the "Factory 2" class was due to the complaints of other open-class teams, not Honda's influence:

http://www.motomatters.com/results/2014/03/07/2014_qatar_motogp_test_day_1_times_aleix.html

Apparently, both Gresini boss Fausto Gresini and LCR owner Lucio Cecchinelo complained about Ducati's unfair advantage, leading to a change in the rules. Of course, I'm sure that this was a valid complaint, and had nothing to do with the fact that both teams run satellite Hondas.

Anders · Mar 7, 2014

Of what I've read,Honda,Gresini and LCR has complained about Ducatis unfair advantage.But Ducati has done excactly what was asked for by Dorna.They helped upgrade the ECU.Everyone was asked to do that.Honda did not.Yamaha did not.Ofcourse Ducati makes upgrades that suits their bike.That's the bike they are using.

For this they have an unfair advantage????

What were they supposed to do,guess what Honda and Yamaha would need?

It's excactly the same as saying in 06/07 wintertesting with the first 800 cc - The Honda seems to be fast and well developed,they have an unfair advantage.

.... HONDA!

Tekniqs · Mar 8, 2014

wasn't Dorna's plan was for every team to eventually be "open" class?

hagbard · Mar 8, 2014

Every bike will be in its own class soon. I'm not sure I can be arsed with all of this.

Ben Spies made the point on Twitter than purposely .... tyres were the way to get close racing. He's probably right.

Garbin · Mar 8, 2014

A sport in shambles and if it's not careful, terminal decline - very sad :thumbdown:

xx CURVE xx · Mar 8, 2014

I dont ....... get it.. what are the "hondas" running?.. I mean besides the factories.. Gaytista, Zegerman, Nick, Redding?.. is Redding running the same .... as Tista or Nick? or is Redding still on a 600 cause hes sucking.. and why does Bradly Smiths voice make me want stab my ears drums with a rusty nail?

povol · Mar 8, 2014

xx CURVE xx

3714081394311311

I dont ....... get it.. what are the "hondas" running?.. I mean besides the factories.. Gaytista, Zegerman, Nick, Redding?.. is Redding running the same .... as Tista or Nick? or is Redding still on a 600 cause hes sucking.. and why does Bradly Smiths voice make me want stab my ears drums with a rusty nail?

Redding and Nicky are both running the production racer that was built to compete against the CRT's, Bautista and Bradl are riding factory spec satellite bikes. Unless Honda decides to make drastic changes, the proddy racers will be sucking hind ... all year

J4rn0 · Mar 9, 2014

Changing again the rules a few days before the championship kicks off is plain ridiculous and shows how Dorna is still subject to Honda.

On the other hand, the fact that Honda seems worried about Ducati's performance is, if anything, the best compliment to Dall'Igna who is doing an excellent job.

It's easy to choose sides in this battle... Go Ducati!

elitemafia · Mar 9, 2014

xx CURVE xx

3714081394311311

I dont ....... get it.. what are the "hondas" running?.. I mean besides the factories.. Gaytista, Zegerman, Nick, Redding?.. is Redding running the same .... as Tista or Nick? or is Redding still on a 600 cause hes sucking.. and why does Bradly Smiths voice make me want stab my ears drums with a rusty nail?

I too wonder the same question about Bradley Smith. Also, that is one ugly dude. Poor guy has a receding hairline worse than my 85 year old grandpa.

J4rn0 · Mar 9, 2014

Anders GUZZI

3714001394247447

Of what I've read,Honda,Gresini and LCR has complained about Ducatis unfair advantage.But Ducati has done excactly what was asked for by Dorna.They helped upgrade the ECU.Everyone was asked to do that.Honda did not.Yamaha did not.Ofcourse Ducati makes upgrades that suits their bike.That's the bike they are using.

For this they have an unfair advantage????

What were they supposed to do,guess what Honda and Yamaha would need?

It's excactly the same as saying in 06/07 wintertesting with the first 800 cc - The Honda seems to be fast and well developed,they have an unfair advantage.

.... HONDA!

Exactly.

Honda didn't complain directly, but through their satellite teams and customers (who can't be happy, but that's Honda's fault!). I wonder how it is possible that MotoMatters bought such an escamotage? Bah.

Never mind: thanks to Honda, the Master Rulers, we now have a comma 22 rule in MotoGP: an Open class bike can be competitive, but if it is, it's not an Open class bike.

rezonator636 · Mar 9, 2014

J4rn0

3714151394407104

Exactly.

Honda didn't complain directly, but through their satellite teams and customers (who can't be happy, but that's Honda's fault!). I wonder how it is possible that MotoMatters bought such an escamotage? Bah.

Never mind: thanks to Honda, the Master Rulers, we now have a comma 22 rule in MotoGP: an Open class bike can be competitive, but if it is, it's not an Open class bike.

Agree 100%, but I think you mean catch-22

elitemafia · Mar 9, 2014

This should be an interesting year for motorsport... Formula One switching to unreliable junk turbo hybrid six cylinders... MotoGP with 3 classes (so far.... soon it will be a different class for every team)

J4rn0 · Mar 10, 2014

rezonator636

3714161394407792

Agree 100%, but I think you mean catch-22

A comma with a catch, yes; I heard it first in a movie where it was actually comma 22 (something like, "a soldier who is crazy can apply to be exempted from combat duty, but if he does then he's not crazy").

Regarding the Factory-2 afterthought, the biggest problem for Ducati may be the reduced fuel, rather than the 9 engines, because the Open ECU doesn't allow for so many sophisticated fuel consumption strategies.

rezonator636 · Mar 10, 2014

J4rn0

3714221394481035

A comma with a catch, yes; I heard it first in a movie where it was actually comma 22 (something like, "a soldier who is crazy can apply to be exempted from combat duty, but if he does then he's not crazy").

Regarding the Factory-2 afterthought, the biggest problem for Ducati may be the reduced fuel, rather than the 9 engines, because the Open ECU doesn't allow for so many sophisticated fuel consumption strategies.

Just read an interview with GiGi where he basically said the fuel restriction would force them to reduce power. Looks Like Ducati needs to make like 2013 Rossi and aim for fourth place every race.

Edit: just read Krop's piece on this whole Factory 2 bit:

http://www.motomatters.com/opinion/2014/03/10/the_factory_2_farce_how_poor_communicati.html

Apparently, there's another wrinkle in the rules I hadn't seen previously: Ducati will be the only Open team running 2014 spec software. The other open teams will be running the 2013 software. It's the software that makes you Factory 2, apparently, as an Open team running 2013 software won't incur any penalties if it winds up on the podium.

This is just getting more and more confusing. Does anyone know which software the FGM Yamahas are running?

J4rn0 · Mar 11, 2014

The open secret is that Ducati wrote the new 2014 software for Dorna; most private teams find it too complicated to implement immediately, so may run 2013 code. FGM Yamahas, who knows what they run, but they are fast anyway aren't they. At least with Aleix, my next favorite rider...

elitemafia · Mar 11, 2014

J4rn0

3714371394570983

The open secret is that Ducati wrote the new 2014 software for Dorna; most private teams find it too complicated to implement immediately, so may run 2013 code. FGM Yamahas, who knows what they run, but they are fast anyway aren't they. At least with Aleix, my next favorite rider...

When you say FGM Yamaha I assume you are referring to the Forward team's bikes... but what does FGM stand for ???

SuperShinya56 · Mar 11, 2014

Why not mandate a rule that says any teams entering as "Factory" is not allowed to run in open class or whatever it is called? That will force Ducati and future Suzuki to keep sticking to factory rules because............ they are ummm 'factory'?

Regardless, the rule is stupid. All teams should abide by the same rules, as in the original rules from years ago. And if privateer teams can't cut it, well, then they cut loose. But then again I know it's not that simple, Dorna will lose profit.

I understand that cost cutting measures has to be implemented to ensure that teams will not leave, but it's not even money we are talking about here...... I believe it's more of knowing the smarts, meaning finding good engineers who has the know-how.

Factory 2-MotoGP's newest category

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