Suzuki back to MotoGP with an inline-4?

http://www.cycleworl...togp-prototype/




[image: Posted Image]

Interesting and it makes me wonder if this is the cat out of the bag for things to come. First, production based engines allowed then production based engines only(hence Suzuki's use of their inline).

I'm calling it right here and now. Prototypes days are numbered and this makes me think by 2014. Shame on the powers that be to let prototypes go the way of the big 2-strokes.

Maybe that's what Casey was refering to when he said he didn't like where the sport was going. It's all starting to make sense now...I love a good conspiracy.

That is totally what Stoner was referring to. He has never supported the CRTs, and I'm with him.

They wanted to use my bike as a base to measure from. I said no. Thus, they had to use an inline 4.

I agree with Kevin Schwantz, if Stoner no longer has a passion for racing motorcycles, he should retire but he shouldn't trash the sport on the way out the door.

Regarding prototype vs. CRT I am not convinced that prototypes are dead. While it is easy to glamorize the last decade + (coinciding with Rossi's presence) and ignore the entire post war GP scene (with multiple bike classes - 50cc Champion anyone?) they could not continue with a 12-14 bike grid. Allowing the manufacturers to set the rules was a mistake, it allowed Honda to regulate toward their strengths (away from 2 strokes) and they contiunued that with the 800cc debacle. Supposed to slow the bikes down but cornering speed increased and actual racing diminished.

I would rather see a spec black box for electronics and the resultant savings from sending half of the techno weenies back to real jobs in software engineering than the current path forward with CRT but the old way (2004-2011) wasn't working.

Schwantz was vocal about the way Paul Denning mis-handled the Suzuki team (in his opinion) and was hoping to be the team manager when Suzuki returned to GP, I wonder if he still has that as a goal.

Great pics and great find on the article.

Keith, that is the most articulate post you have ever made.

Anyone else notice the Suzuki catch cry/slogan/motivational for the project on the ducktail?

Change & Challenge

Maybe Suzuki will finally rid themselves of mediocrity and mismanagement. Australian Motorcycle News (AMCN) recently had an article about Suzuki's history of starting projects and not finishing them. It came from the top down it seems, Suzuki team managers all appeared to be somewhat powerless against a recalcitrant and egotistically backward factory. That's what I read about their racing history.

There is a time for everything, including renewal and revival. It is only a matter of time before either a breakthrough is made or the system collapses. Let's hope it is the former. I am excited!

PS. You can buy the best motorcycle magazine in the world (AMCN) for iPad. Search for Magshop.

I'm calling it right here and now. Prototypes days are numbered and this makes me think by 2014.

I sure hope this will not be the end of SBK. Remember that september last year Bridgepoint, owner of a large portion of Dorna, bought Infront Sports & Media that has all the rights to the SBK championship.