HOPES haven't been high for the new Claiming Rule Team bikes that are to be introduced next season, especially after the lukewarm and six-second slow debut of the BMW S1000RR-engined Suter in testing at Mugello.
The reason for adding the CRT bikes to the grid next year is an attempt to bolster the dwindling numbers that has hit the MotoGP series, with only 17 bikes making up the positions. Even though Mike Trimby has said the Claiming Rule has not been created as a money-saving measure, from 2012 the cost of racing will be reduced for the factories as they won't be expected to cater for all the teams.
One person to step forward and voice concerns for the inclusion of the CRT bikes with the factory 1000cc bikes next year is Jeremy Burgess, calling the new ruling crazy and that it would be 'bizarre in any form of racing sport’.
The criticism may come from a lack of understanding for CRTs as Rossi's crew chief goes on to say that the rules should be further explained, adding: "Nobody really knows how the rule will actually work. For me, it could be that it would be better if I were to create a Claiming Rule Team with Valentino Rossi. Then I will have more engines and can use more fuel." Referring to the 12 engines and 24-litres of fuel that the CRT bikes have compared to the six engines and 21-litres for the factory efforts.
Stepping in to defend the critique of the Claiming Rule - as the president of IRTA - is Hervé Poncharal, highlighting how when MotoGP, as a championship, decided to change from 500cc two-stroke to 990cc four-stroke many people thought they were ‘crazy’ and would ‘kill-off’ the World championship. The MotoGP class, until 800s were brought in for safety reasons, was fruitful with exciting battles and a healthy grid. A factor that has gradually diminished, since the shift to the aforementioned 800s.
“We are getting 1000 bikes and the CRT class so that the field can grow,” said Poncharal, “Many people criticised that, but these are there same people who said that 17 bikes was not enough but did nothing to increase the size of the field. If we say we will work with factory-supported prototypes then we can only race with 17 bikes because we can't do anything. Finally we can't force Kawasaki, BMW and Aprilla to take part, like I already said. Then everyone should also say that 17 are perfect.
Moto2 saw skeptics voice their disappointment in moving the two-stroke 250GP bikes into a spec-600cc four-stroke engine, but the class has worked out with Poncharal saying that the opposition have to admit that the class is a success, taking the fact that a large number of bikes are making the grid, there is a healthy amount of competition and the costs are lower.
Further to the announcements of the regulations, Poncharal described what a CRT bike would be: “We know the technical regulations in principle. It is a 1000cc engine that you can tune however you want. You have twelve engines rather than six and 24 rather than 21 litres of fuel. The chassis must be an absolute prototype and cannot contain any serial parts. That's it.”
Source: Motorsport-magazin
