No More Kawasaki

FB1000inPA · 12-30-2008, 2:22 PM

It seems Kawasaki will announce on January 5th that they will no longer participate in MotoGP.

This means Hopkins and Melandri will need new teams.
Hell, there will only be 17 bikes left.

Grover130 · 12-30-2008, 2:26 PM

Hey FB - If the economy gets any worse, all pro racing will be banished.
It will be a sad day!
P.S. Go Eagles!

FB1000inPA · 12-30-2008, 2:27 PM

P.S. Go Steelers! We hate the Eagles.

deez · 12-30-2008, 5:51 PM

Go 49'ers! Singletary will win a superbowl in the next 3 years!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Kawasaki is definitely out of MotoGP. We got rider confirmation. Fack, this is bad............

Twincam · 12-30-2008, 5:56 PM

So who is actually left? Yamaha and Ducati?

This is going crazy... Honda has pulled out of almost everything...

FB1000inPA · 12-31-2008, 10:02 AM

The Alice team said they will cut back on spending as well.

vester · 01-09-2009, 10:21 AM

Friday, 09 January 2009
Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd. announced today that it has decided to suspend its factory MotoGP racing activities from the 2009 season.

Amid the quickly changing business environment, Kawasaki has been promptly taking countermeasures to cope with the situation. As the world economy is not likely to recover in a short period due to the major impact of the financial crisis, Kawasaki decided to suspend its MotoGP racing activities from the 2009 season onward and reallocate management resources more efficiently.
Kawasaki will continue racing activities using mass-produced motorcycles as well as supporting general race-oriented customers.
Kawasaki would like to thank all the fans and all those who have supported us

its sad

FB1000inPA · 01-09-2009, 2:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Twincam

So who is actually left? Yamaha and Ducati?

This is going crazy... Honda has pulled out of almost everything...

To clarify: It's the factory teams that will no longer participate. Teams using Honda and Kawasaki bikes still will be there and get help from the respective companies.

LoopyLee · 01-09-2009, 3:06 PM

I found this on the interweb as well

Quote:

Rumours fly as Kawasaki think again about quitting MotoGP

ALTHOUGH NO official press release has revealed what was actually discussed at the MotoGP crisis talks held in Japan on 7 January by the Motorcycle Sport Manufacturers Association, there are plenty of leaks from various sources. And one of them says Kawasaki is seriously reconsidering its pull-out for the 2009 season.
Apparently Kawasaki team director Michael Bartholemy has now been called to Japan for consultations with the factory. And although Kawasaki had originally asked European technicians from its MotoGP team to return their computers and all data to Japan, this order has been put on hold.
The reason for Kawasaki's potential change of heart is almost certainly to do with money. No doubt the MSMA and Dorna would have been blunt about the fact that Kawasaki was contracted to compete in MotoGP until 2011 and, in the event of pulling out early, there will be severe penalty costs. The factory has already invested about four million quid on developing its 2009 bikes and one Italian source suggests that the total cost to Kawasaki, including money already spent and penalties, if it pulls out this year could be as high as £20m - at least 50 per cent of what it would have spent anyway. The MSMA meeting looked at various ideas for reducing team budgets but the same Italian source says that the only concrete proposal on the table for lowering costs in the 2009 season was a vague plan to extend engine life through the elimination of post-race testing. For 2010, the MSMA is proposing to ban carbon discs, as in 125 and 250 GP classes, WSB and WSS. Other measures discussed ranged from a RPM limit to a wage cap on riders.

lanbrown · 01-09-2009, 3:11 PM

Kawasaki was leaving MotoGP the same reason Honda left F1; they just weren't a contender. In the last 50 years, Kawasaki hasn't won a championship in MotoGP.

FB1000inPA · 01-09-2009, 3:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lanbrown

Kawasaki was leaving MotoGP the same reason Honda left F1; they just weren't a contender. In the last 50 years, Kawasaki hasn't won a championship in MotoGP.

Never mind championships. How about races?

lanbrown · 01-09-2009, 3:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FB1000inPA

Never mind championships. How about races?

That is harder to find. I did find Waldo and his family though.

FB1000inPA · 01-09-2009, 3:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lanbrown

That is harder to find. I did find Waldo and his family though.

I know. Tried to bush one on you.

Mikeo · 01-16-2009, 11:46 PM

What does this mean. Are they, maybe going to race?

Kawasaki Testing 2009 Ninja ZX-RRs In Australia News Article // RoadracingWorld.com

lanbrown · 01-17-2009, 12:09 PM

I think what it means is that you won't see Kawasaki in MotoGP with a factory team. A team could buy/lease the motorcycle and not be a factory team. Kawasaki still has a contract to fulfill.

spina220 · 01-17-2009, 10:50 PM

Any thoughts on what will happen to Hopkins and Melandri.

lanbrown · 01-18-2009, 1:48 AM

Getting another ride will be hard; sponsors are not easy to come by.

TKDmasterZ · 01-20-2009, 6:00 PM

Yep. I think you'll green ZX-RR's in MotoGP races this year, but perhaps without Marco and Hopkins...

Kawasaki heads to Phillip Island. | MOTOGP News | Crash.Net

Weasle1000RR · 01-20-2009, 6:04 PM

Cardinals! Woot.