Livio Suppo Interview with Mark Bracks
How big a challenge is 2014 for Honda and Yamaha?
“It is not such a big change. It is not the same as changing from 1000 to 800cc; that was a big technical change. This is just a different way to race the same bike at the moment. Originally, it looks like the Open class should have been something like an evolution of the CRT, but finally it looks like if you can race in the open class with a full factory bike and very sophisticated software, it’s a different class.”
That must upset Honda and Yamaha a lot?
“Everyone is free to do what they want the only thing we are not… we are fine with Ducati going open, the only thing that is a little bit strange is that a few days before they go open Magnetti Marelli introduce a new software system that is very sophisticated.
“If you start using a factory bike with very sophisticated software, that is the difference why should you need the softer tyre, more engines, more litres so I think these advantaged with more test, the aim was to give some advantage to somebody that was using a more simple bike and a more simple electronic. If now bike and electronic are at the same level as the other factory bikes it is a little bit strange so we should sit down around the table with everybody and rethink about all of this. If the idea of Dorna was to have a cheaper class with the open, that is not the case.”
That is the same with the Forward Racing Team and using Yamaha?
“If the target ws to have a cheaper machine on track we need to do some changes on this rule as there is nothing to stop you to race with a very expensive bike and very expensive software.”
You have been around a long time, what do you think is going to be the end result?
“I think we need, in my opinion, there is something altogether that we forget to fix in this class because again we all agree that the target was to build up a cheaper class of MotoGP, correct?
“If this is the correct, clearly now this is not anymore like that. So we need to sit down and say ‘hey sorry maybe we did a mistake, how can we rebalance the class?'”
How would you rebalance?
“For sure software wise, that was the main thing. Everybody believes that the software of Magnetti Marelli would have been something more simple. That is why the Forward bike – we knew was going around – was basically a factory bike with a software that is not as good as the factory software there could be a balance.
“If also the software has a big step and is basically a factory spec software you need more people to run it. It becomes very complicated so it is something that doesn’t work at the moment.”
With this change has Honda threatened to pull out?
“At the moment as always Nakamoto has said what is the point of view of Honda board member racing as a member of the MSMA is that racing must be something that you develop technology not only electronics, it is 20 litre rule that is something we don’t talk enough about but at the end of the day it is very good to develop technology to reduce the fuel consumption. This is something very important. Not only for motorcycles but for cars so it is very interesting for Honda. Or, the five engine rule is very important for reliability so is very good for engineers to understand to do a very fast engine but also reliable. So if all these things including electronics totally disappear it is difficult for Honda to keep an interest in this class.
“It is not my job to give the suggestions of what to do in the future. What I can say is that the actual situation is a little bit strange. That the open class went a little bit out of control
“Let’s say as Honda we believe what was in our opinion clear, the aim of Dorna was to create a cheaper class that is why we build up the RC1000V because the bike is cheaper than a factory bike. That is why this bike has an advantage on tyres fuel and stuff like that because if a level of technology for a factory bike is here and the RCV is here then you add the fuel and softer tyres etc and you close this gap.
“But, if you start already with a factory bike and you add also a very sophisticated software, it is difficult to me to understand why they should have the softer tyre and more litres. It is kind of a factory spec with advantages so this is a little unclear and that is why we have to sit down with everybody and speak about all of this.”
Two days after speaking with Suppo, the new direction was announced and so the question was asked;
So what do you think of this Factory 2 class?
“It is a complicated situation. We don’t like to have a third “class”.
“We understand it is in the interest of everybody to help Manufacturers if they are in trouble or if they are new (as Ducati now and Suzuki next year) but it might remain within the Factory class, with their own software, no softer tires, few more litres (maybe 22?) and more engine not frozen. They will loose advantages if good results will arrive.
“So, it is something similar to the actual Dorna proposal, but without having a new class and not too many advantages.
“If the software of the open class will be the new one introduced in Sepang 2, I believe nobody else then Ducati will be Open in the future...”
