Goodbye 250 two-strokes
Support class to become 600MotoGP promoter Dorna has confirmed that the 250cc two-stroke class will switch to 600 four-strokes in 2011.
The move will kill off a class which has struggled to find relevance over recent years, since it has been dropped from road racing and most road bike line-ups.
Italian maker Aprilia has been the mainstay of the 250 fields.
However the move has plenty of controversy attached. One are of concern is to what extent it will encroach on the 600 classes attached to world superbikes - there is concern that few manufacturers could justify involvement in both series.
Also, if the MotoGP version is to be a true prototype class, the development costs will be huge, similar to that of the premier class.
The announcement said, in part: For application from 1.1.2011, the Grand Prix Commission accepted the following proposal, taken by the majority of members of MSMA: 4-stroke engines of 600cc maximum and 4 cylinders maximum. A request will be sent to all manufacturers. The candidatures of the manufacturers interested in taking part in the new class must be sent to the FIM and Dorna by July 31, 2008 at the latest. More precise technical specifications will then be discussed and established.
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