Starting in 2012 the 125cc GP class will give way for the new Moto3 division, marking the end to two-stroke Grand Prix racing.
The
Grand Prix Commission is meeting on the eve of the Czech GP in Brno this weekend and inside sources say an important announcement about the future of the smallest GP class will be made following the meeting.
Starting in 2012 the 125cc ranks will be replaced by the new Moto3 class, which features 250cc single-cylinder, four-stroke engines. But while most believed the engines would be a single-maker spec unit like in Moto2, they now say this is not the case and that the class will be open to competing manufacturers.
This would open the door for several new brands to possibly go Grand Prix racing, as all of the Japanese manufacturers as well as
KTM,
Aprilia and several other European manufacturers have existing knowledge and development with 250cc singles through the racing and production of their current four-stoke motocross bikes.
If, and when, Moto3 takes to the gird for the first time it will mark the end of two-stroke GP racing, which has been around since the series began in 1949. It also marks the end to the final remaining original world championship class from '49.
Also on the agenda for the GP commission this week is to determine if
Suzuki will get an extra three engines added to their original allotment of six, as they are already only one short of running out for rider
Alvaro Bautista and the season is only halfway completed. Word is also that the proposed new MotoGP rules for 2012 will not be finalized at this meeting, as more time is needed to discuss the details and deal with the increasingly-vocal opposition from Infront Sports, the company that runs World Superbike.
