New MotoGP rules set to limit costs

With the manufacturers and tyre companies keen to prevent a big rise in the finances needed to compete, two rules ratified by the Grand Prix Commission should help the situation.

A new testing regulation states that tyre companies will now be limited in the amount of running they are able to do prior to events.

Previously, they could in theory run at Grand Prix tracks with a road bike on MotoGP tyres - a potentially expensive exercise. Now they will be limited to running at only one nominated testing venue for four days per year, and without regular team riders.

Furthermore, tyre manufacturers will be able to request a two-day test at any new circuit, or at one that has been substantially resurfaced.

This should allow the tyre companies to better prepare their range of tyres for a race weekend, so therefore not need to take such a wide variety of rubber.

New rules will also outlaw the possibility of a manufacturer exploiting the area of oval pistons - which could have led to a big rise in costs if this avenue was followed.

The new regulation states: "The normal section of each engine cylinder and piston in plan view must be circular. Circular section cylinders and pistons are defined as having less than 5% difference in the diameter measured at any two points."

Other changes state that a rider will be deemed to have retired if he enters his bike into the pit garage during a race.

The new rules also clear up confusion over the measurement of the seat height of MotoGP bikes, following a request from Ducati for a clarification about how the rules are interpreted prior to the Turkish Grand Prix.

The new regulations state: "The seat unit shall have a maximum height of the (approximately) vertical section behind the rider's seating position of 150mm.

"The measurement will be taken at a 90° angle to the upper surface of the flat base at the rider's seating position, excluding any seat pad or covering.

"Any on-board camera/antenna mounted on the seat unit is not included in this measurement."