New teams for MotoGP in 2012

The bloke who helped develop the Kawasaki ZX-RR, Ilmor X3 and the ill-fated Petronas SBK race bikes is looking to get back into the MotoGP class, with a bold plan to use BMW production engines in 2012.

With rule changes coming into play in 2012 (allowing a third type of "Claiming Rule Team" or CRT), Eskil Suter has put forward a bold plan to create a bespoke chassis around the hard-charging BMW S 1000 RR engine.

While factory teams and privateer teams that use factory equipment will be allowed six engines per year and 21lt fuel tanks, these CRTs will be allowed 12 engines per year and larger fuel tanks up to 24lts, giving them more scope to thrash their engines to the limit.

These rules are designed to make it easier for new Claiming Rule Teams without the prototype engines (and the larger budgets) of factory and privateer teams, to remain competitive.

Eskil Suter currently has one of the most affordable and also one of the better performing chassis units in the new Moto2 paddock so far this year, and as such is hoping to build on this success with a tilt at the 2012 MotoGP crown by taking advantage of the Claiming Rule Team scenario.

There is talk that Suter has almost finished work on an initial 1000cc MotoGP bike for the 2012 season, which could begin testing in the Czech Republic (Brno circuit) in a few months time.

If Suter can pull this off, it could tempt a few other outfits to have a crack at the 2012 MotoGP championship, and if Suter's race bike is competitive, the BMW S 1000 RR could gain quite a reputation for its powerful 193hp engine.