Moto2: 600cc four-stroke class regulations announced, seem quite dumb

The FIM has announced regulations for the 600cc four-stroke class, which will replace the current 250cc world championship series in 2011. To be called ‘Moto2,’ the new category will have bikes fitted with normally-aspirated 600cc, four-stroke engines, with the rev limit being 16,000rpm for four-cylinder engines, 15,500rpm for three-cylinder engines and 15,000rpm for twins.

Oh no, we've posted the wrong picture! But wait, who cares. Moto2 bikes should be just about this fast, and as for the racing... ho-hum...

In a move aimed at keeping costs low, Moto2 rules will only allow for data loggers, ECU and timing transponders supplied by the organisers. These will not cost more than US$900, and no other electronics will be permitted.

Moto2 bikes’ chassis will not be restricted in any way and manufacturers will be completely free to develop their own chassis and swingarm. Carbon brake discs and carbon composite wheels will not be allowed, and the FIM will also issue a list of other materials and manufacturing methods which won’t be permitted in Moto2.

Each rider in the Moto2 series will be limited to one bike only, with a maximum of two complete engines for each race. And here’s the clincher – the engines used in any given race will be available for purchase by rival competitors, for the fixed price of US$26,700, within one hour of a Moto2 Grand Prix race being completed.

The bikes will need to weigh a minimum of 135kg (in case of four-cylinder engines), 130kg (for bikes with three-cylinder engines) and 125kg (for bikes with two-cylinder engines.)

Hmmm… we don’t really know what to say, but on the whole, this whole Moto2 thing sounds dumb. Low cost racing is all fine – at the club level. But when it comes to top-level Grand Prix racing, we’re not too sure about the use of severely restricted engines.

Also, at this level, rules like competitors being allowed to buy each others’ engines seems just plain stupid. If anything, it seems like a recipe for one-make-only racing, and the 250cc replacement class should certainly not be that! Anyway, all should be revealed in 2010, when these Moto2 four-stroke 600s will first come out and race alongside the current two-stroke 250s. (That will be the last year for 250s before the 600s take over in 2011. ) We'll be happy if we're proved wrong, but for now, we do believe 250s will make mincemeat of the new-age 600s in 2010...