250GP to 600

Just in passing amid all the other stuff that happened this summer.

There was a deadline for proposals from manufacturers for 600-4 based
machines to replace 250GP. The deadline came and went with *no*
proposals from anyone.

 

I think some of it must come down to a cost benefit thing. They have
Moto-GP for the bleeding edge 4-stroke stuff, and Superbike (etc) for
proddie based stuff.
The stink-wheels just need to clean up, maybe run them on organic soy
based ethanol or cow shit based methanol?

 

We've all been round this before.
- There's not enough money around for 400-500 twin and 200-250 single
prototypes. KTM want this, Aprilia may want this, the Japanese factories
apparently don't want this.
- Modified production engines in prototype chassis might work; Honda
were pro the idea and may have been pushing it; KTM and Aprilia didn't
want it; It may fall foul of Flamminis world Supersports agreement with
the FIM on production based formulae. And now apparently nobody wants to
step up to the plate and be part of discussing the detail of the rules.

Who knows where GP will be in 25 years. TTXGP http://ttxgp.com are
talking about a one lap "race" round the Isle of Man next year for M/C
that don't use a hydrocarbon fuel. But they're unrealistic and screwing
around with full FIM/ACU M/C regs plus a bit of electrical safety.
Electric drag racing seems to be growing in the USA. There's also some
kart and open wheel racing in the UK using electrical power.