Green MEAN

chunder · 30 Dec 2008, 14:13 (Ref:2362742)

Looks like the Japanese are really pulling the plug on everything!!

Kawasaki might eb abotu to announce an imminent withdrawal from MotoGP

Apparently the situation is similar to Subaru and Suzuki, they are looking for weak limbs to chop and this os one!

No surprise really, all that cash on riders and bikes and no results to speak of!

Mystery · 30 Dec 2008, 14:26 (Ref:2362753)

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/72588

johntt · 30 Dec 2008, 14:38 (Ref:2362762)

Quote:

Originally Posted by chunder

Looks like the Japanese are really pulling the plug on everything!!

Kawasaki might eb abotu to announce an imminent withdrawal from MotoGP

Apparently the situation is similar to Subaru and Suzuki, they are looking for weak limbs to chop and this os one!

No surprise really, all that cash on riders and bikes and no results to speak of!

Bang on, the Japanese want to cut unsucessful motorsport programmes while (understandably) wanting to save face at the same time. The economic crisis gives them the perfect excuse.

jhansen · 30 Dec 2008, 15:50 (Ref:2362806)

Read about this just now. Surprising and not at the same time. Hopefully it doesn't happen, as I would hate to lose the bikes.

jhansen · 30 Dec 2008, 21:00 (Ref:2362959)

Well from what I'm reading it is sounding all but confirmed. Bummer.

So let's speculate, should the team fold, what happens to Hopkins and Melandri?

Dani Filth · 30 Dec 2008, 21:56 (Ref:2362983)

we're getting very close to just 15 bikes on the grid .. not good at all
wonder if somebody like Aspar can "buy" the whole thing and run it with the same riders

chunder · 31 Dec 2008, 12:13 (Ref:2363268)

Why would he, he is probably aing oney

I thin you ahve to look at Dorna here to do something, but then again last time it was Kenny Roberts who sorted it out by persuading Yamaha to allow privateers to use YZR500's!

So dont expect too much!

Dani Filth · 31 Dec 2008, 13:42 (Ref:2363315)

aing what ?? .. oney is probably money though

EGG · 1 Jan 2009, 09:39 (Ref:2363592)

I think aing is 'bleeding' or 'losing'. hard night on the **** chunder?

Melandri isn't having the best of luck you have to say.

**gomick** · 1 Jan 2009, 09:53 (Ref:2363594)

15 bikes wouldnt be too good - c'mon team green, find a big sponsor...

Schummy · 3 Jan 2009, 05:01 (Ref:2364341)

Poor Melandri and Hopkins, two good riders in the "limbo". Anyway, ironically, if they find another bike, it can turn to be better for them!

15 bikes is not much, but, frankly, losing no-podium bikes is not a big deal, I (or the TV director) don't watch them anyway! Sadly the same with Suzuki, not nice at all, but not lethal. If someone among Honda, Ducati or Yamaha close the shop, then we would be in the middle of a big s**t lake.

Maybe Pons can go to the rescue? I mean, can someone (not in Japan, I suppose) lend Pons some money? The man has faith in this business.

What we have now? 4 Yamahas, maybe 6 Hondas, maybe 5 Ducatis, perhaps 2 blue japanese bikes. Out of them, I think 8 are able of podiums. Not so bad. In fact better than F1.

chunder · 3 Jan 2009, 14:40 (Ref:2364530)

Looks like Aspar may come to teh rescue perhaps?

And other news is that Alice are puling out of Pramacm leaving only Kallio whose Red Bull money no dount helps

Canepa is going to Onde aparently with Sete, imagine Nieto will want Nieto! lol But Ducati will force Canepa!

sizzle · 5 Jan 2009, 02:53 (Ref:2365360)

Melandri's manager says it is Dornas problem to ensure he is on the grid!!!
May I ask why?

Surely it is up to Melandri's manager to get him a job.

Flyin Ryan · 5 Jan 2009, 04:12 (Ref:2365367)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Schummy

Poor Melandri and Hopkins, two good riders in the "limbo". Anyway, ironically, if they find another bike, it can turn to be better for them!

15 bikes is not much, but, frankly, losing no-podium bikes is not a big deal, I (or the TV director) don't watch them anyway! Sadly the same with Suzuki, not nice at all, but not lethal. If someone among Honda, Ducati or Yamaha close the shop, then we would be in the middle of a big s**t lake.

Maybe Pons can go to the rescue? I mean, can someone (not in Japan, I suppose) lend Pons some money? The man has faith in this business.

What we have now? 4 Yamahas, maybe 6 Hondas, maybe 5 Ducatis, perhaps 2 blue japanese bikes. Out of them, I think 8 are able of podiums. Not so bad. In fact better than F1.

And who would pay to watch an 8-bike (or 8-car) grid?

Numbers do matter. If for nothing else just to provide spots for the up-and-coming talent and for the best of the no-hopers to push the back end of the top line riders/teams. Fernando Alonso started his F1 career in a Minardi, Kimi Raikkonen in a Sauber, Michael Schumacher in a Jordan.

Schummy · 5 Jan 2009, 07:40 (Ref:2365404)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flyin Ryan

And who would pay to watch an 8-bike (or 8-car) grid?

Numbers do matter. If for nothing else just to provide spots for the up-and-coming talent and for the best of the no-hopers to push the back end of the top line riders/teams. Fernando Alonso started his F1 career in a Minardi, Kimi Raikkonen in a Sauber, Michael Schumacher in a Jordan.

MotoGP is not financed by the grandstands. Only a small percentage of followers are actually there, "live". But certainly they are among the most enthusiast, and I agree they deserve some respect.

About the new talent, something as 12 cars/bikes is enough for me, not optimal, but not so bad. Alonso, Raikkonen, Schumacher,... all those can begin his F1 career in a 5th or 6th team, I suppose. What we need is a decent ladder of categories, not people in bad cars. In FIM GP it exists, in F1 emphatically not.

Maybe it is a question of different taste, but I don't matter about Cardosos or nowadays-Checas. I don't matter neither some of the "boring" veteran F1 drivers. They would be stars in another series, they are uninteresting in F1.

Again, it's my opinion.

**gomick** · 5 Jan 2009, 10:10 (Ref:2365465)

Quote:

Originally Posted by sizzle

Melandri's manager says it is Dornas problem to ensure he is on the grid!!!
May I ask why?

Surely it is up to Melandri's manager to get him a job.

why would dorna want him on the grid after his efforts last season

Jeff 8 · 5 Jan 2009, 10:16 (Ref:2365469)

If Aspar would be part of the rescue package would that mean Spanish money, Spanish riders?

Jeff

BootsOntheSide · 5 Jan 2009, 11:53 (Ref:2365547)

It all depends on how solid Hopkins and Melandri's contracts are within the team, and whether Aspar would be able to buy out only parts of the operation. Presumably he would need some Kawasaki crew to run the bikes, especially as he will have already assigned his 125/250 staff and would not be able to switch many people at this late stage, but the riders are less certain. Then again, Aspar running two pay riders would be better than nothing.

chunder · 5 Jan 2009, 20:37 (Ref:2365852)

Hopkins has pots of monster money

And by the look of it Melandri has one of those McWilliams/Byrne contracts that will keep them in GP all being equal.

Flyin Ryan · 5 Jan 2009, 23:32 (Ref:2365970)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Schummy

MotoGP is not financed by the grandstands. Only a small percentage of followers are actually there, "live". But certainly they are among the most enthusiast, and I agree they deserve some respect.

And in my opinion the lack of focus on followers at the track is part of what is wrong with Formula One and MotoGP.

Although the statement "who would pay to watch 8-bike grids?" can definitely be passed onto TV companies, not to mention promoters, who partially cover the sanctioning costs via attendance.

2000yellow360 · 6 Jan 2009, 01:17 (Ref:2366014)

Quote:

Originally Posted by chunder

Hopkins has pots of monster money.

Pots????? Maybe 350k. Doesn't even begin to pay for an engine lease, let alone tires, etc. It costs 3.5 - 6.5M per year to field a bike, not counting the rider's money. His 3.6M Euros deal went up in smoke when he got drunk before practice, so his deal is for a lot less. Wouldn't be surprised if they don't have a throw away clause in his new contract.

Art

bestfit · 8 Jan 2009, 23:30 (Ref:2367978)

Looks like DORNA may have flexed it's muscles?

Kawasaki apparently no longer quitting MotoGP?

chunder · 9 Jan 2009, 13:46 (Ref:2368255)

Erm I think not

KHI have made an official release today saying they are not competing in 2009

Still levaes the door open for Aspar though I guess though with what rider I dont know

**gomick** · 9 Jan 2009, 22:38 (Ref:2368581)

maybe the 60 million (

) they save could be invested in getting a decent superbike team happening...

chunder · 10 Jan 2009, 10:47 (Ref:2368785)

I somehow doubt that too!

Kawasaki ahve never really pushed the envelope in racing, the last time they did it was Muzzy who was the main mover in there.

Eckl did OK in WSS but he had good riders and a very clever engineer!

Makes you realise how good Scott Russell was to win so many races against Foggy et al on that gorgeous ZXR750! best sounding race bike ever!

(not forgetting the precious Gobert and Slight obviously)

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