MotoGP Comes Back to The U.S.
For those of you who don't know what MotoGP is, it is *the* premier motorcycle racing event in the world. It's Formula 1 for motorcycles. The 500cc Grand Prix World Championship (now MotoGP) raced at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca from 1988 to 1994, but has since left. In 2005, MotoGP will be coming back to Laguna Seca (set in the hills of Monterey, CA. from July 8 - July 10 for at least a 5 year stretch (a 5 year contract has been signed). Depending on how popular it is in the U.S., the 5 year contract may or may not be renewed.
MotoGP consists of 3 classes, 125cc 2-stroke, 250cc 2-stroke, and the premier class - 990cc 4-stroke. MotoGP had been running 500cc 2-stroke bikes until the 2002 season when they opened the class up to 990cc 4-strokes (4-strokes are much more manageable and the techology is now good enough to compete with the 2-strokes). Since that time, every manufacturer has switched to the 4-stroke bike. The USGP (MotoGP in the U.S.) will consist of only the 250cc 2-stroke and 990cc 4-stroke classes (it costs a lot to lug all of that equipment overseas for just one race).
If you are a fan of racing, this is a must see event, and I have to say, I feel lucky to have this event come to my own back yard (S.F. Bay Area). You will have the chance to see the best riders (Valantino Rossi, probably the best there has ever been) on the best machines. Keep in mind that manufacturers of MotoGP motorcycles spend millions on the bikes. These bikes, like F1 cars, change throughout the season. The bikes you see at the beginning of the season, while they look the same, are not necessarily the same bikes you see at the end of the season. The manufacturers are constantly changing and refining the engines and chassis to get a better bike. Of course, this has to be balanced with changing a bike too much to the point that the rider struggles to learn the changes during a racing season. This event will also have the AMA U.S. Superbike race, so you'll get to see at least 3 races.
Usually, the July 10th weekend houses the AMA Superbike event (last year World Superbike was added) and I can tell you first-hand it is usually pretty warm. So if you plan on attending, bring some shade (hat, umbrella, canopy, etc.) and plenty to drink. You can bring your own cooler to Laguna Seca.
MotoGP consists of 3 classes, 125cc 2-stroke, 250cc 2-stroke, and the premier class - 990cc 4-stroke. MotoGP had been running 500cc 2-stroke bikes until the 2002 season when they opened the class up to 990cc 4-strokes (4-strokes are much more manageable and the techology is now good enough to compete with the 2-strokes). Since that time, every manufacturer has switched to the 4-stroke bike. The USGP (MotoGP in the U.S.) will consist of only the 250cc 2-stroke and 990cc 4-stroke classes (it costs a lot to lug all of that equipment overseas for just one race).
If you are a fan of racing, this is a must see event, and I have to say, I feel lucky to have this event come to my own back yard (S.F. Bay Area). You will have the chance to see the best riders (Valantino Rossi, probably the best there has ever been) on the best machines. Keep in mind that manufacturers of MotoGP motorcycles spend millions on the bikes. These bikes, like F1 cars, change throughout the season. The bikes you see at the beginning of the season, while they look the same, are not necessarily the same bikes you see at the end of the season. The manufacturers are constantly changing and refining the engines and chassis to get a better bike. Of course, this has to be balanced with changing a bike too much to the point that the rider struggles to learn the changes during a racing season. This event will also have the AMA U.S. Superbike race, so you'll get to see at least 3 races.
Usually, the July 10th weekend houses the AMA Superbike event (last year World Superbike was added) and I can tell you first-hand it is usually pretty warm. So if you plan on attending, bring some shade (hat, umbrella, canopy, etc.) and plenty to drink. You can bring your own cooler to Laguna Seca.
Posted by Dmitri Trembovetski on January 31, 2005 at 12:55 PM PST #
Hi Daryl,
The two strokes are now illegal in MotoGP One I think. Kenny Roberts still ran one a few times in the 2003 season while shaking down the bugs in their new 4 stroke Proton, and I cant remember for sure, but I think they were banned as of last season. As for the four strokes now being competitive, well yeah, but they had to be allowed nearly double the capacity of the two-strokes to be able to do that! As for manageable, yes, the 4 strokes produce more linear power - not as vicious as the two-strokes - but traction control on the 4 strokes plays a part too.
The 250cc two-strokes are going to be phased out too, replaced by a 600cc four-stroke prototype class.
It's sad really. Having seen an over-the-counter Aprilia RSV250 euro-championship class racer smoke big 1 litre Yamaha R1 and GSX-R thou's down the straight at Mondello, popping power wheelies at the top 2nd and 3rd gear, it's very sad to see the stink-wheels being banished. Shame the big manufacturers couldn't be bothered to develop two-stroke technology and solve the efficiency problem (Aprilia had a direct-injection two-stroke, Lotus had an amazing direct-injection two stroke hybrid test-rig motor which uses pnuematic valves. But mechanical engineers prefer throwing metal at problems..)
Long live the two stroke!
--paulj (proud owner of an Aprilia RS250 stink-wheels).
Posted by Paul Jakma on January 31, 2005 at 01:02 PM PST #
Posted by Mary-Ann Horley on February 06, 2005 at 12:51 PM PST #
Mary,
Still legal, aha, thanks for setting me straight. Yes, the 990cc was most definitely political. The big manufacturers had wanted a rule change to allow 4 strokes for quite a while (given it is sale of 4 stroke road-going sports bike where they make their money - and 500cc GP class was losing relevance to World SuperBike). The only way 4's were going to be competitive was with twice the capacity. They learned that lesson from when the two strokes took over GP and killed the fours.
Power ratios: the two strokes got to over 400bhp per litre (over 100bhp for the 250s, rumours were 190 to 205 for the 500s). The rumours in the magazines is that the RCV211V is now making between 240 and 250BHP, so ~250bhp per litre. Lot more metal, gears, complexity and weight for less power though.
On the other hand, once they kill 250's it should mean the prices of ex-GP/euro-class 250 racers should come down, they'll end up in national class racing for their last few years. I really would love to own a high-spec RSV250 or NSR250 and thrash it around a track sometime, just have to keep a firm eye on the buy-and-sell once 250s are killed in GP. ;)
Nice site btw.
regards,
Paul.
Posted by Paul Jakma on February 09, 2005 at 04:53 PM PST #
Posted by Darryl on April 21, 2005 at 11:37 AM PDT #
Posted by Steve Hamel on September 14, 2006 at 07:20 PM PDT #