it s not a great move . it's a TINA move.. how would you wan't them to develop the bike that doesn't work into something that can work in factory status?
I can see these rules being changed mid season, once a few GP teams chuck the toys out of the pram. Its not going to look to good if open class teams start winning or getting podiums over the GP teams. Looking at the times so far its a good possibility this may happen.
What a relief. I'm so glad they're going open class. I can't see any downsides to it. They're still going for the same trophy at the end of the year aren't they. Now they can build special engines for different tracks and actually develop the breed. What are Honda and Yamaha going to do wheezing down the long straights with an engine that needs to last 3 odd races and is being starved of fuel all the way, while watching a full fat fuel guzzelling fire breathing Ducati blast past on an engine that only needs to last 45 minutes. Bring on 2014. Now, how the hell can I watch it cheap
I don't know much about ecu's or spec ecu's, what they do and don't control and by how much, but the way I read it is that Mag Mar have issued a hi tec ecu via dorna to the Open teams that Ducati have experience of, or even originated from the D16 albeit an old version maybe. If that's the case, they've wangled an advantage. The bike is not watered down and gains 4 litre fuel, extra motors/development and soft tyres. Bit of a sneaky Italian thing going on there with the ecu uprade imho. I can see it being withdrawn before the season starts.
I doubt it will get withdrawn, Honda and Yamaha already have the ECU on both of their open class machines lets not forget and Espagaro was running at the top of the timing sheets on Forward racings M1 open class machine, I think you'd be stupid not to go open class at the moment
Could be an interesting season. "The Open software has already received a major upgrade for this week's test - although the changes were so big that it could not yet be used by the teams - and with Magneti-Marelli having built Ducati's Factory ECU, it is not hard to imagine that Ducati will be pushing for much if not all of their Factory software to be transferred to the Open ECU." “We will ask for some things to Dorna, because I think we have to develop the software, but this is normal,” said Dall'Igna of the ECU. “So I will ask for some things and if it is reasonable I think that Magneti-Marelli and Dorna will follow us in this direction.” "Had Dovizioso used that tyre it is safe to assume he would probably have been fastest at Sepang. It is unknown if the softer Open tyre will last a race distance, but it should certainly help Ducati be serious contenders for pole positions this year."
Is it not a bit like Mike Myson fighting Barry Mcquigan. Seems to me that people that make motorcycles are factory teams and those that dont arent . Unless just kicking off. If , by any chance , Ducati were to win the motogp championship would it not be a false result .
You have to remember that the open class and CRT came about because of the lack of available factory machines - or maybe the cost of them. If the factories get beat they only have themselves to blame, especially if Honda have as big a say in the running of the series as is suggested. And the thought of non-aliens vying for wins is tantalising. If Aleix Escargot can pump out race laps as quick as his testing laps, then maybe Redding will be able to do the same on the open class Honda...Wouldn't that be worth watching..? But of course we won't be watching cos BT have nicked the TV rights...
Open class rules and two tyre manufacturers, that's all the series needs. if Honda don't like the direction it's going but bmw, Kawasaki, Suzuki and Aprilia do then I'm afraid it's bye bye honda