<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (SackWack @ Jul 10 2009, 11:59 AM)
<{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>The reason why I stated this is because people would like to see Spies at Tech 3 with full factory support. And this is perfectly legal?? What the hell is the reason for the rookie rule if you can have them on factory equipment anyway?
The point of the rule is to distribute more factory equipment to satellite teams while helping the satellite teams attract sponsors.
Gresini signed Simoncelli. As a result Gresini will have at least 1 "factory" bike next season. In theory, Simoncelli should help the Gresini team find sponsorship money to run next season.
GP MUST MAINTAIN AT LEAST 17 BIKES TO BE A WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES.
Dorna is probably subsidizing quite a few of the bikes on the grid. The rookie rule is certainly an IRTA/Dorna collaboration because 2 votes are all Dorna needs to change the rules since it has the ability to cast the tiebreaker.
The rookie rule should create more factory equipment, it should bring sponsor money to the satellite teams, and it will hopefully remove satellite teams from the Dorna dole.
The rookie rule is thoroughly ridiculous, but people don't seem to realize exactly how thin the ice is underneath Dorna's feet. MotoGP is one minor financial hiccup away from losing world championship status. Hard to believe that nearly 1/3 of the entrants have vanished in only a half decade.
Whacky rules like the rookie rule and the elimination of practice time show desperation on Dorna's part. With each additional whacky rule, I think we are getting closer to the 990s again.