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MOTOGP: Kawasaki Quit MotoGP! Who’s Next?
Is Kawasaki's shocking withdrawal proof that MotoGP is a house of cards that will fall flat unless major changes are made? Dennis Noyes analyzes the situation.
Dennis Noyes  |  Posted December 30, 2008   Borrego Springs, CA
(Photo: Kawasaki Racing)

Kawasaki have pulled the plug on their MotoGP program leaving riders John Hopkins and Marco Melandri without rides and destroying the fond myth that the Japanese manufacturers were bound either contractually or by 'gentleman's agreement' to continue indefinitely in MotoGP.

SPEEDtv.com has learned from sources speaking on condition of anonymity that the decision is final and was made “at the highest level of Kawasaki” to halt all plans to race in the FIM MotoGP series in 2009.

Marco Melandri has confirmed this and is looking for a last-minute ride. Both Melandri and Hopkins are still contracted to ride for Kawasaki and might be paid to sit out the season. Melandri, however, has already contacted several World Superbike teams.

Additional sources confirm that Honda HRC considered the possibility of withdrawing as well, but have decided to continue in 2009. They will reevaluate the situation during the season.

While the race bosses and engineers who represent the Japanese industry in the MSMA have given assurances to Dorna that they intend to continue, the 'promises' that can most easily be broken are the ones made in internal budgets. Commercial directors in the Japanese industry are slashing budgets for 2009 and racing plans based on these pre-approved but now inoperative budgets are as vulnerable as the world economy itself.


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