Racing

GP Commission Hammers Out 2012 MotoGP Rules

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The GP Commission (FIM, Dorna, IRTA & MSMA) met this week to discuss and further refine the rules that will be implemented in the 2012 MotoGP season, namely the return to the 1,000cc format. The new rules lock in the amount of gas a bike can carry, as well as other details pertinent to GP racing, but the rule everyone is talking about is the 1,000cc switch. Interestingly enough, the 2010 rules allow for motors “up to 1000cc”, but provide different bike weight for bikes under and over 800cc. Check out the details after the jump.

Engine Capacity: up to 1,000cc
Maximum cylinders: 4
Maximum bore: ø 81 mm
Minimum weight: 150 kg (up to 800cc) / 153 kg (over 800cc)
Maximum engines per rider during the season: 6
Fuel tank capacity: 21 liters

***Claiming Rule Teams (CRT’s) will be allowed 12 motors, and 24 liters of fuel. No word yet on what this actually means, but a definition is expected by the end of May. In addition to these rules, on-board tire pressure sensors have been banned, and the moratorium on tire temperature sensors remains in affect.

The release of these rules seems to confirm the rumor that we’ll see both 800cc and 1,000cc machines on the grid for 2012. While the CRT designation remains to be defined, it would appear that the GP Commission is hoping these teams will be given a shot at being more competitive by having higher-strung motors, and more fuel on-board in order to make more power than their competitors. However, who these “private teams” are still remains to be seen.

You can read all the changes here.

Source: MotoGP & MotoMatters

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