2009 MotoGP cost cuts to be agreed

Cost-cutting measures for the 2009 season to help theMotoGP world championship ride out the global economic crisis should be finalised tomorrow (Wednesday).

The Grand Prix Commission will convene in Geneva tomorrow to thrash out proposals to help slash expenditure for the forthcoming season.

Proposals that will be approved are expected to be no Friday morning free practice session. MCN understands that proposal will apply to all classes and not only the MotoGP category.

The remaining two free practice sessions and Saturday’s qualifying will all be cut from one hour to 45 minutes for MotoGP too.

And a new engine life will be introduced from the Czech Republic GP in Brno, with riders having to use only five engines for the final eight races.

The Motorcycle Sport Manufacturers Association will discuss further cost cutting proposals at next month’s night test session in Qatar.

They will include a reduction of winter testing for the 2010 world championship campaign to be cut to just eight days, two day meetings with no Friday practice at all, one bike per rider and engines to last for three races from the opening Grand Prix.