MotoGP: Series To Switch To 1000cc Engines From 2012

MOTOGP WILL USE 1000cc engines from the 2012 season after the FIM’s Grand Prix commission approved a move to end the short-lived 800cc era.

The premier two-wheeled category made the switch to 800cc from 990cc in 2007 in an attempt to lower cornering speeds and reduce costs.

But the rise of electronic systems such as traction control scuppered organisers hopes of achieving the planned changes, prompting the FIM to move to a 1000cc formula.

While the final set of regulations haven’t yet been scripted, FIM President Vito Ippolito believes the announced guidelines will provide manufacturers with an opportunity to commence preparations.

He said: “This base will give all the manufacturers the opportunity to start work.

“At the beginning of next year we will produce the new rules in a more complete format, but that is the basis; 2012 will be the year of a new era of MotoGP.”

MotoGP commercial rights holder Carmelo Ezpelta said: “This has been approved and between now and the start of the 2010 season we will have another two meetings to define the rest of the specifications for this new class.”

Despite the FIM’s decision to back the move, World Superbikes promoters have been furious at the proposed changes, which will see both categories operate identical capacity engines.

However, Ippolito has moved to assuage the concerns by reassuring the series that MotoGP will remain a prototype-based series, unlike the production inspired Superbikes.

“SBK offers the opportunity of racing and showing off to people who have less resources, while MotoGP is the global image of motorcycle racing,” Ippolito told Motosprint.

“So we need both, but it's important to keep a difference between the two: someone who watches Superbikes watches his own bike racing. MotoGP is different, and someone who watches it wants to see something else.”