MotoGP considering move to standard ECU

I'm still undecided about this idea. One one side Standard ECU (with probably no TC) means it gives more importance to rider's skills which is good, but on the other hand it goes against the spirit of this championship which is about prototypes.

We'll see how this standard ECU thing pans out in F1 in 2008, seems there will be more mistakes and in the wet it'll be chaos. Could be fun! I think DORNA will be paying close attention to F1 too.

About the influence of Rossi ... it does look like the Dorna single tyre proposal was a threat from Dorna to force Bstone to give tyres to Rossi. Don't think the standard ECU is something Rossi can force even if he wants to, unlike with tyres this affects the manufacturers technology, and the MSMA (bike manufacturers) wont be happy that all the research they've done and PAID for, goes down the drain. Unlike in F1 Manufacturers have a say in Motogp rulemaking.
It does look a bit like an anti-Casey&Ducati rule.

About no TC affecting safety, well in F1 it's not a problem, after watching Kubica smash straight into a wall at 200km/h and come out with just leg pain it's pretty obvious they can take some chances in that area. In MotoGP it's a more touchy subject, Kato's death is still in our thoughts (at least in my case) so reduction of safety should be a avoidable if possible.

If it actually happens at least I hope the ECU is made by an independent company, unlike in F1 where the ECU is made by McLaren!!!! (and Microsoft).

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Dion @ Dec 23 2007, 10:48 PM) [snapback]105120[/snapback]<div class='quotemain'>
Does anyone agree that if electronic rider aids where removed, then riders lives could be in danger ?
I fear that F1 will make such a mistake this year.


No, seeing as the 500's were safe, and they didn't have TC.

It's the circuits these days we have to worry about.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Dion @ Dec 23 2007, 10:48 PM) [snapback]105120[/snapback]<div class='quotemain'>
Does anyone agree that if electronic rider aids where removed, then riders lives could be in danger ?
I fear that F1 will make such a mistake this year.

Oh for god sake, comments like this make my eyes bleed.

They're paid millions to do a job that is inherently dangerous. They can adjust circuits and improve safety gear, no problems. But a line has to be drawn when these safety measures begin to affect the purity of the sport. And I'm afraid traction control, and other aids, do just that. In other words, they have to go.

If the riders don't like it, they can find another job.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Dion @ Dec 23 2007, 10:48 PM) [snapback]105120[/snapback]<div class='quotemain'>
Does anyone agree that if electronic rider aids where removed, then riders lives could be in danger ?
I fear that F1 will make such a mistake this year.

I don't think it will be life threatening in F1, but you raise a valid point as far as motogp is concerned which is why banning tc entirely may not be feasible, attractive though the idea may be.

GOD DAMN im ready for the Prima [DoRNA] to go away.If he is so hellbent on a spec series,why dont he go ....... race WSB.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Orrmate @ Dec 24 2007, 12:38 AM) [snapback]105127[/snapback]<div class='quotemain'>
Oh for god sake, comments like this make my eyes bleed.

They're paid millions to do a job that is inherently dangerous. They can adjust circuits and improve safety gear, no problems. But a line has to be drawn when these safety measures begin to affect the purity of the sport. And I'm afraid traction control, and other aids, do just that. In other words, they have to go.

If the riders don't like it, they can find another job.


I respect the riders, i think they are amazing human beings but if it gets too easy, too safe then any decent street rider could run with the motogp boys and thats a bit stupid and uninspiring.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Orrmate @ Dec 23 2007, 04:38 PM) [snapback]105127[/snapback]<div class='quotemain'>
Oh for god sake, comments like this make my eyes bleed.

They're paid millions to do a job that is inherently dangerous. They can adjust circuits and improve safety gear, no problems. But a line has to be drawn when these safety measures begin to affect the purity of the sport. And I'm afraid traction control, and other aids, do just that. In other words, they have to go.

If the riders don't like it, they can find another job.


My reaction as well. I hate seeing good riders make minor mistakes that keep them off of the grid for months, but some riders are already riding without TC. Hayden is probably the most notable of the riders who have turned TC nearly off or all the way off. Hayden scored some podiums and finished midpack with some shredded tires but he didn't bin it.

Despite what some people may have led themselves to believe Hayden is one of the great bike control riders on the grid, so I anticipate some degree of bedlam if they successfully ban TC. The vets and the sbk guys would probably adapt with relative ease. The youngins will probably have some growing pains.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE<div class='quotemain'>"Casey (Stoner) has done an amazing job and he is a great rider. But he is the first of the traction control generation," Rossi told Motor Cycle News. "The way he uses traction control is amazing.

"Old generation riders like me, Marco Melandri and Loris Capirossi have a lot of problems."


Doesn't that mean that the rider is making the difference??
Is MotoGP considering move to standard ECU because the wrong rider is winning or because he's not European??
Ezpeleta stirring the pot again? Rossi just having a whinge?
The Motogp business not doing well in its key markets?
Standard ECU for a prototype series is ridiculous and if introduced would that make WSBK the premier series not Motogp??
How will a standard ECU work with manfactures using different engine layouts inline/V4's ?
TC has been around since 4-strokes were introduced to motogp and of course, over time, technology will become more advanced. The drop to 800cc/21 litre fuel limit has made this technology more evident.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(mylexicon @ Dec 20 2007, 01:06 PM) [snapback]104915[/snapback]<div class='quotemain'>
I'm going to be checking out if passing doesn't show up in the next 2 or 3 years.

have faith lexi... it's gonna get alot better!

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Teomolca @ Dec 23 2007, 07:18 PM) [snapback]105123[/snapback]<div class='quotemain'>
I'm still undecided about this idea. One one side Standard ECU (with probably no TC) means it gives more importance to rider's skills which is good, but on the other hand it goes against the spirit of this championship which is about prototypes.



+1.... a conundrum indeed!

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(alex29 @ Dec 24 2007, 09:19 AM) [snapback]105139[/snapback]<div class='quotemain'>
Doesn't that mean that the rider is making the difference??
I suppose so, but in an unnatural way. It takes a great deal of purity out of the sport, because for me one of the great arts of motor racing is throttle control.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE<div class='quotemain'>Is MotoGP considering move to standard ECU because the wrong rider is winning or because he's not European??
Lets leave out the victimisation ......... 23 non-european riders have won the 500/MotoGP title, so I don't see why it'd make a difference.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE<div class='quotemain'>Ezpeleta stirring the pot again? Rossi just having a whinge?
While Rossi's whinging has been a tad annoying this season, I can't blame him here. It needs to be banned for the good of the sport.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE<div class='quotemain'>Standard ECU for a prototype series is ridiculous and if introduced would that make WSBK the premier series not Motogp??
No, for two reasons. World Superbikes will always be below MotoGP because MotoGP has the fastest riders, and will still have the fastest bikes even without TC.

Secondly, I'd be willing to bet money that if Standardised ECU's are a success in MotoGP, WSBK will follow suit.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE<div class='quotemain'>How will a standard ECU work with manfactures using different engine layouts inline/V4's ?
As far as I know, they are programmable to different configurations. But to a more limited extent. I will admit though, this is a downside of Standardised ECU's. I just hope they don't take a radical option and impose a control engine format.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Teomolca @ Dec 24 2007, 12:18 AM) [snapback]105123[/snapback]<div class='quotemain'>
I'm still undecided about this idea. One one side Standard ECU (with probably no TC) means it gives more importance to rider's skills which is good, but on the other hand it goes against the spirit of this championship which is about prototypes. ............................


Prototype does not mean the freedom to implement any technical solution which can be found advantageous. It just means the freedom to build a race bike from scratch within precisely defined limits.

Otherwise the only limitation would be 2 wheels... But look, - displacement is not free; number of strokes is not free; number of cylinders is not free; quantity of fuel is not free; weight is not free; even the wheels dimensions are regulated!

So, regulating the electronics also (...or the tyres) is not going to change the prototype status of the machines. It just changes the formula to which the prototypes have to conform.