Those who make and change the rules have once again done their thing and gone back to a one hour practice schedule. Still just three sessions, only one on Friday, and a twenty minute warm up. This should allow the teams and riders more time to figure out a working set up and get a few more laps in to test their progress. No mention of the rumored lap limits.
In other news, but in the same release, it’s been announced that Honda will be the sole engine supplier for the new Moto2 series that begins next season. Horse power will exceed 150 and for 2010 only, the current 250cc bikes will be allowed to run at the same time.
From a press release issued by the FIM:
The Permanent Bureau composed of Messrs. Vito Ippolito (FIM President) and Carmelo Ezpeleta (Dorna CEO) in a meeting held on May 2 in Jerez de la Frontera (Spain), unanimously decided to introduce the following amendment to the Road Racing World Championship Grand Prix Regulations.
Application 2010
Moto2 class:
Amongst various offers received, it has been decided that the single engine supplier will be Honda who offers high level performance engine. The horse power will be over 150.
Next year only this category will also be open to the current 250cc motorcycles.
The Grand Prix Commission, composed of Messrs. Carmelo Ezpeleta (Dorna, Chairman), Claude Danis (FIM), Hervé Poncharal (IRTA) and Takanao Tsubouchi (MSMA), in the presence of Messrs Vito Ippolito (FIM President), Ignacio Verneda (FIM Sport Director), Javier Alonso (Dorna) and M. Paul Butler (Secretary of the meeting), in a meeting held on May 2 in Jerez de la Frontera (Spain), decided to introduce the following amendments to the Road Racing World Championship Grand Prix Regulations.
Application from May 15, Le Mans Grand Prix.
1.13.1
On recommendation of the FIM Grand Prix Safety Commission, the event schedule has been modified as follow
FRIDAY FREE PRACTICE
125cc: 12.40-13.40
MotoGP: 13.55-14.55
250cc: 15.10-16.10
SATURDAY FREE PRACTICE QUALIFYING PRACTICE
125cc: 09.00-09.40 13.00-13.40
MotoGP: 09.55-10.55 13.55-14.55
250cc: 11.10-12.10 15.10-15.55
SUNDAY WARM UP
125cc: 08.40-09.00
250cc: 09.10-09.30
MotoGP: 09.40-10.00
RACE
125cc: 11.00
250cc: 12.15
MotoGP: 14.00
2.7.9
Any breather pipe from the engine or gearbox must discharge into the airbox and/or a suitable container.
Strike: With a minimum capacity of 200cc and a maximum of 250cc. There must be a separate container for each breather pipe.