FIM President warns of reduced budgets and riders in 2010

FIM President, Vito Ippolito remains confident that the world of motorcycle racing is emerging from the economic crisis but has warned that sponsorship could be hard to find leading to reduced teams and riders in WSB in 2010.

In a questions and answers session also outlined the federation’s long term plan to ensure continued success across all racing disciplines.

Ippolito said: “We were ready to go through 2009 with the world economic crisis in the background.

“During the last eight months we have been working in a close collaboration with all our promoters, manufacturers, sponsors, riders and all the participants in our sport as a whole.

“We are well aware of what is going on in each discipline in order to put in place some valid solutions which can ensure the permanence of the championships. We are also trying to establish the guidelines to follow for the next ten years.

“We still have a lot of work to do before the end of the season but globally participation in terms of spectators and media coverage is very satisfactory.

“Concerning the FIM Superbike World Championship, it is necessary to reduce the costs for the teams as private sponsors might be less numerous and the manufacturers might be forced to reduce their investments.

“Consequently the number of riders and teams taking part in the championship might also be reduced next year; we must continue our work and take quick decisions.”