Kwak OUT?!?!
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- kwak out!!
[quote name='Tom' date='Dec 30 2008, 05:41 PM' post='169944']
I think there is far more to motogp than the Kawasaki team, but then i'm not a particularly big fan of theirs. It's a great shame that they are (or might be) leaving, but they've done this before and their results have been disappointing so its not too surprising.
Tom this is Kawasaki your talking about here, its a huge company, and I tell you now the others wont be far behind them..
This is a huge blow for MotoGP, and maybe a sign that prototype racing is becoming unfeesable in the current financial climate.
.... those pricks on wall Street have a lot to anwser for ! I really just cant believe it. Back to you Tom, to say its not suprising due to there results is stupid thing to say... Its all about PR when putting a bike on the grid of the premier class..
Is this just a advert Kwak just simply cant afford anymore ?
I think there is far more to motogp than the Kawasaki team, but then i'm not a particularly big fan of theirs. It's a great shame that they are (or might be) leaving, but they've done this before and their results have been disappointing so its not too surprising.
Tom this is Kawasaki your talking about here, its a huge company, and I tell you now the others wont be far behind them..
This is a huge blow for MotoGP, and maybe a sign that prototype racing is becoming unfeesable in the current financial climate.
.... those pricks on wall Street have a lot to anwser for ! I really just cant believe it. Back to you Tom, to say its not suprising due to there results is stupid thing to say... Its all about PR when putting a bike on the grid of the premier class..
Is this just a advert Kwak just simply cant afford anymore ?
Joined Jul 2006
11K Posts | 291+
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http://www.superbikeplanet.com/2008/Dec/081230b.htm
Melandri Gets Dear John Letter
kawasaki out of motogp
by dean adams
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
According to sources close to Italian Marco Melandri, he is in possession of a letter from Kawasaki Motorsports President Yoshio Kawamura informing him of Kawasaki's decision to pull out MotoGP effective immediately.
Melandri spent a hard season with the Ducati MotoGP team in 2008 and his salvation was that he was allowed out of his contract in order to join the Kawasaki team.
Presumably American John Hopkins will also be informed that Kawasaki has pulled the plug on their MotoGP team.
ENDS
Melandri Gets Dear John Letter
kawasaki out of motogp
by dean adams
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
According to sources close to Italian Marco Melandri, he is in possession of a letter from Kawasaki Motorsports President Yoshio Kawamura informing him of Kawasaki's decision to pull out MotoGP effective immediately.
Melandri spent a hard season with the Ducati MotoGP team in 2008 and his salvation was that he was allowed out of his contract in order to join the Kawasaki team.
Presumably American John Hopkins will also be informed that Kawasaki has pulled the plug on their MotoGP team.
ENDS
Looks like my 2009 predictions are coming true, if a little early. Suzuki next, and then the demise of motoGP. It's going to be sad, but truth be told, the premier class is becoming far too expensive to run. With small grids, uneventful racing and sponsorship hard to find, (and getting harder), it's a logical procession to a cheaper series, racing bikes more related to the real world.
Face it, most people who don't follow bikes wouldn't have a clue what the difference is between a motoGP bike and a superbike.
The only real problem I have with WSBK is some of the tracks they race on. If grand prix racing does die then I hope that an expanded superbike series makes use of some of these tracks.
Face it, most people who don't follow bikes wouldn't have a clue what the difference is between a motoGP bike and a superbike.
The only real problem I have with WSBK is some of the tracks they race on. If grand prix racing does die then I hope that an expanded superbike series makes use of some of these tracks.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Son of Doohan @ Dec 31 2008, 09:42 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Looks like my 2009 predictions are coming true, if a little early. Suzuki next, and then the demise of motoGP. It's going to be sad, but truth be told, the premier class is becoming far too expensive to run. With small grids, uneventful racing and sponsorship hard to find, (and getting harder), it's a logical procession to a cheaper series, racing bikes more related to the real world.
Face it, most people who don't follow bikes wouldn't have a clue what the difference is between a motoGP bike and a superbike.
The only real problem I have with WSBK is some of the tracks they race on. If grand prix racing does die then I hope that an expanded superbike series makes use of some of these tracks.
I totally agree.
I wonder if CV is starting to regret not taking Bayliss's ride when Tardozi was courting him a few short months ago?!
Face it, most people who don't follow bikes wouldn't have a clue what the difference is between a motoGP bike and a superbike.
The only real problem I have with WSBK is some of the tracks they race on. If grand prix racing does die then I hope that an expanded superbike series makes use of some of these tracks.
I totally agree.
I wonder if CV is starting to regret not taking Bayliss's ride when Tardozi was courting him a few short months ago?!
On crash.net, The Morgue posted in response to this breaking news about rumors to the effect of Jorge Martinez (Aspar?) trying to secure a 3rd bike with Suzuki for John Hopkins with MonsterEnergy and MoviStar backing. Anyone else heard anything about this?
And, Morgue...are you lurking on this site under another name, by chance???
And, Morgue...are you lurking on this site under another name, by chance???
Joined Mar 2005
7K Posts | 20+
Woody Creek
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (tlrwinder @ Dec 30 2008, 06:19 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>On crash.net, The Morgue posted in response to this breaking news about rumors to the effect of Jorge Martinez (Aspar?) trying to secure a 3rd bike with Suzuki for John Hopkins with MonsterEnergy and MoviStar backing. Anyone else heard anything about this?
And, Morgue...are you lurking on this site under another name, by chance???
I read that rumor at GPmatters, although didn't mention any Movistar money. I'd be skeptical. I thought when Hopper left Suzuki there were some hard feelings and if the Monster money will only go to backing the one-man team then it doesn't make any more sense to Suzuki to do it than it did a few months ago when the Martinez first brought it up. Monster and whatever other backers would have to be giving the factory squad some money as well in order to make it financially sensible for Suzuki.
My guess is either Hopper and Melandri sit out in 2009 or go Superbike racing.
And, Morgue...are you lurking on this site under another name, by chance???
I read that rumor at GPmatters, although didn't mention any Movistar money. I'd be skeptical. I thought when Hopper left Suzuki there were some hard feelings and if the Monster money will only go to backing the one-man team then it doesn't make any more sense to Suzuki to do it than it did a few months ago when the Martinez first brought it up. Monster and whatever other backers would have to be giving the factory squad some money as well in order to make it financially sensible for Suzuki.
My guess is either Hopper and Melandri sit out in 2009 or go Superbike racing.
Joined Feb 2007
11K Posts | 2K+
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<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (tlrwinder @ Dec 31 2008, 10:19 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>On crash.net, The Morgue posted in response to this breaking news about rumors to the effect of Jorge Martinez (Aspar?) trying to secure a 3rd bike with Suzuki for John Hopkins with MonsterEnergy and MoviStar backing. Anyone else heard anything about this?
And, Morgue...are you lurking on this site under another name, by chance???
Anyone who posts on crash is a ....... chump and the morgue is one of the biggest chumps of all. No team will be putting extra cash into motoGP.
I don't think some of you people realise how little money is floating around the world at the moment. All companies are cash strapped and looking to cut costs wherever they can. Expensive motorsports are going to lose truckloads of money in funding, research and development. You don't all of a sudden have the 2 biggest car manufacturers in the world cut costs for no reason. Toyota made a $27 billion profit last year and this year they are making a $1.5 billion dollar loss, the first profit loss for 72 years. The last time toyota made a loss was the first year it became a company.
They have pulled a lot of money out of F1. Honda are out of F1 altogether.
If you think that companies are going to run in with loads of cash into what is essentially a niche sport like motoGP, then I think you're going to be waiting for a very long time.
If suzuki do stay, I expect them to do even worse as their already tiny budget will have been slashed. If rizla don't sign back up as a major sponsor then, I'm expecting them to pull out as well.
And, Morgue...are you lurking on this site under another name, by chance???
Anyone who posts on crash is a ....... chump and the morgue is one of the biggest chumps of all. No team will be putting extra cash into motoGP.
I don't think some of you people realise how little money is floating around the world at the moment. All companies are cash strapped and looking to cut costs wherever they can. Expensive motorsports are going to lose truckloads of money in funding, research and development. You don't all of a sudden have the 2 biggest car manufacturers in the world cut costs for no reason. Toyota made a $27 billion profit last year and this year they are making a $1.5 billion dollar loss, the first profit loss for 72 years. The last time toyota made a loss was the first year it became a company.
They have pulled a lot of money out of F1. Honda are out of F1 altogether.
If you think that companies are going to run in with loads of cash into what is essentially a niche sport like motoGP, then I think you're going to be waiting for a very long time.
If suzuki do stay, I expect them to do even worse as their already tiny budget will have been slashed. If rizla don't sign back up as a major sponsor then, I'm expecting them to pull out as well.
Joined Oct 2006
25K Posts | 4K+
Your Mom's House
The writing was on the wall when Team KR left. Dorna/Ezy made no adjustments to make the series viable. They ignored the warning signs and advice of a man who had the sport in its best interest rather than specific darlings of that sport. Can't say KRSR didn't tell them there was a major problem. Dorna actually did the exact opposite, they made it more expensive with the capacity change. Interestingly, they did this, I believe, to cater to the darlings of the sport and its feeder series; but, as it turns out, this may actually be its demise. That's what happens when you put the interest of one or two riders before the viability of the sport. Now I'm laughing hearing that its major star is giving a nod to the rival series (in addition to the 250 champ). Hahaha. The irony, the loyalty...brilliant.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (povol @ Dec 31 2008, 10:32 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>According to Speed,its a done deal.
http://moto-racing.speedtv.com/article/mot...togp-whos-next/
That's a really good article. And if they make all those changes to the bikes proposed on the 2nd last page, then what is the point of the series at all?
Bye bye motoGP, there's a better product and it's been running around for years. IT's called WSBK.
http://moto-racing.speedtv.com/article/mot...togp-whos-next/
That's a really good article. And if they make all those changes to the bikes proposed on the 2nd last page, then what is the point of the series at all?
Bye bye motoGP, there's a better product and it's been running around for years. IT's called WSBK.
Joined Oct 2006
25K Posts | 4K+
Your Mom's House
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Dion @ Dec 30 2008, 01:23 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Tom this is Kawasaki your talking about here, its a huge company, and I tell you now the others wont be far behind them..
This is a huge blow for MotoGP, and maybe a sign that prototype racing is becoming unfeesable in the current financial climate.
.... those pricks on wall Street have a lot to anwser for ! I really just cant believe it. Back to you Tom, to say its not suprising due to there results is stupid thing to say... Its all about PR when putting a bike on the grid of the premier class..
Is this just a advert Kwak just simply cant afford anymore ?
Well I agree that Tom has something stupid to say, but that is par for the course around here.
As far as blaming Wall street, well actually, that is a bit like blaming wolves for eating the chickens...its their nature. The blame goes squarely on those elected to regulate on behave of the citizenry at large. You see, at this point those elected officials are one in the same, we have elected wolves and now we wonder how their pals got away with eating the hen house?
MotoGP is not really that different, afterall it is managed. Its the idiots running the .... who did exactly what these Wall street guys did, that is they tried to increase short turn profits and damn the long term viability of the sport. Hence we have all the .... that has gone down in the last two years prompted by backroom deals and some favoritism to boost short term viewership. I hear ...... reports ask on the news how in the world could such "smart" business men make such poor decisions regarding the economy. I think they knew exactly what they were doing, because in the end, they walk away rich, and us who have a stake in the show are left with our dicks in our hands. Now look where MotoGP is, on the brink of extinction.
Remember just a few weeks ago it wasn't (and still) certain if Honda would pull out. If they do, it will certainly mean the end of MotoGP as it exists today. That actually may be a good thing. Bring down the costs of prototype racing (as KRSR told us all) and make it a show about racing NOT a race about pocket books.
This is a huge blow for MotoGP, and maybe a sign that prototype racing is becoming unfeesable in the current financial climate.
.... those pricks on wall Street have a lot to anwser for ! I really just cant believe it. Back to you Tom, to say its not suprising due to there results is stupid thing to say... Its all about PR when putting a bike on the grid of the premier class..
Is this just a advert Kwak just simply cant afford anymore ?
Well I agree that Tom has something stupid to say, but that is par for the course around here.
As far as blaming Wall street, well actually, that is a bit like blaming wolves for eating the chickens...its their nature. The blame goes squarely on those elected to regulate on behave of the citizenry at large. You see, at this point those elected officials are one in the same, we have elected wolves and now we wonder how their pals got away with eating the hen house?
MotoGP is not really that different, afterall it is managed. Its the idiots running the .... who did exactly what these Wall street guys did, that is they tried to increase short turn profits and damn the long term viability of the sport. Hence we have all the .... that has gone down in the last two years prompted by backroom deals and some favoritism to boost short term viewership. I hear ...... reports ask on the news how in the world could such "smart" business men make such poor decisions regarding the economy. I think they knew exactly what they were doing, because in the end, they walk away rich, and us who have a stake in the show are left with our dicks in our hands. Now look where MotoGP is, on the brink of extinction.
Remember just a few weeks ago it wasn't (and still) certain if Honda would pull out. If they do, it will certainly mean the end of MotoGP as it exists today. That actually may be a good thing. Bring down the costs of prototype racing (as KRSR told us all) and make it a show about racing NOT a race about pocket books.
Joined Feb 2007
11K Posts | 2K+
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<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Son of Doohan @ Dec 30 2008, 07:44 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>That's a really good article. And if they make all those changes to the bikes proposed on the last page, then what is the point of the series at all?
Bye bye motoGP, there's a better product and it's been running around for years. IT's called WSBK.
My thoughts exactly,whats the use of a spec prototype class.I also agree with Jumkie that Gp put the well being of the cash cows above the series and it has come back to bite them.In realism,any true prototype racing series is doomed from the jump because it will eventually lead to this.There just isnt enough money,even in good times,to continue the advances that make up a prototype series.
Bye bye motoGP, there's a better product and it's been running around for years. IT's called WSBK.
My thoughts exactly,whats the use of a spec prototype class.I also agree with Jumkie that Gp put the well being of the cash cows above the series and it has come back to bite them.In realism,any true prototype racing series is doomed from the jump because it will eventually lead to this.There just isnt enough money,even in good times,to continue the advances that make up a prototype series.
First there was Y2K, my favourite Global Warming, 9/11, now "The Economic Crisis"
It's a shame. How long before other teams follow Kawasaki??. Where does that leave Hopper & Melandri??
It's a shame. How long before other teams follow Kawasaki??. Where does that leave Hopper & Melandri??
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Jumkie @ Dec 31 2008, 12:56 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Well I agree that Tom has something stupid to say, but that is par for the course around here.
As far as blaming Wall street, well actually, that is a bit like blaming wolves for eating the chickens...its their nature. The blame goes squarely on those elected to regulate on behave of the citizenry at large. You see, at this point those elected officials are one in the same, we have elected wolves and now we wonder how their pals got away with eating the hen house?
MotoGP is not really that different, afterall it is managed. Its the idiots running the .... who did exactly what these Wall street guys did, that is they tried to increase short turn profits and damn the long term viability of the sport. Hence we have all the .... that has gone down in the last two years prompted by backroom deals and some favoritism to boost short term viewership. I hear ...... reports ask on the news how in the world could such "smart" business men make such poor decisions regarding the economy. I think they knew exactly what they were doing, because in the end, they walk away rich, and us who have a stake in the show are left with our dicks in our hands. Now look where MotoGP is, on the brink of extinction.
Remember just a few weeks ago it wasn't (and still) certain if Honda would pull out. If they do, it will certainly mean the end of MotoGP as it exists today. That actually may be a good thing. Bring down the costs of prototype racing (as KRSR told us all) and make it a show about racing NOT a race about pocket books.
Good post Jumkie...
May I ask if you were incharge of MotoGp what would you of done ?
As far as blaming Wall street, well actually, that is a bit like blaming wolves for eating the chickens...its their nature. The blame goes squarely on those elected to regulate on behave of the citizenry at large. You see, at this point those elected officials are one in the same, we have elected wolves and now we wonder how their pals got away with eating the hen house?
MotoGP is not really that different, afterall it is managed. Its the idiots running the .... who did exactly what these Wall street guys did, that is they tried to increase short turn profits and damn the long term viability of the sport. Hence we have all the .... that has gone down in the last two years prompted by backroom deals and some favoritism to boost short term viewership. I hear ...... reports ask on the news how in the world could such "smart" business men make such poor decisions regarding the economy. I think they knew exactly what they were doing, because in the end, they walk away rich, and us who have a stake in the show are left with our dicks in our hands. Now look where MotoGP is, on the brink of extinction.
Remember just a few weeks ago it wasn't (and still) certain if Honda would pull out. If they do, it will certainly mean the end of MotoGP as it exists today. That actually may be a good thing. Bring down the costs of prototype racing (as KRSR told us all) and make it a show about racing NOT a race about pocket books.
Good post Jumkie...
May I ask if you were incharge of MotoGp what would you of done ?
Joined Jun 2007
3K Posts | 309+
UK
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Austin @ Dec 30 2008, 07:11 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Grand Prix no longer makes financial sense.
My guess is either Hopper and Melandri sit out in 2009 or go Superbike racing.
My guess is that Hopper makes no longer financial sense for GPs, and Melandri was only suited for the 990 Honda.....
GPs will survive even if the field gets reduced further and the points system has to be adjusted to compensate for the lower rider numbers....but it will survive.....
It would be great to see a 30 bike field but then we get hacks and privateers just getting in the way. GPs needs to be about the best of the best, and if Kwak is not there then that says something about their bikes and the riders.
Just one more thing.....
How many of you bought a Kwak last year?
Me neither!
My guess is either Hopper and Melandri sit out in 2009 or go Superbike racing.
My guess is that Hopper makes no longer financial sense for GPs, and Melandri was only suited for the 990 Honda.....
GPs will survive even if the field gets reduced further and the points system has to be adjusted to compensate for the lower rider numbers....but it will survive.....
It would be great to see a 30 bike field but then we get hacks and privateers just getting in the way. GPs needs to be about the best of the best, and if Kwak is not there then that says something about their bikes and the riders.
Just one more thing.....
How many of you bought a Kwak last year?
Me neither!
Joined Jul 2006
11K Posts | 291+
Texas
from RRW:
This just in:
Returning a phone call to Roadracingworld.com, John Hopkins said, "I haven't heard anything official. I haven't been told anything official, and I haven't been sent anything official so far. Bob Moore and his team are working on taking care of the situation."
This just in:
Returning a phone call to Roadracingworld.com, John Hopkins said, "I haven't heard anything official. I haven't been told anything official, and I haven't been sent anything official so far. Bob Moore and his team are working on taking care of the situation."
