Engine Automotive

The Grand Prix Commission has announced significant rules changes for the upcoming 2009 season. The amendments are twofold, including new bike restrictions and a reduced track schedule at each round.

First the schedule change. Friday morning practice sessions have been dropped altogether. Instead there will be one afternoon practice session, followed on Saturday by a morning practice and afternoon qualifying session. The traditional hour-long session time has also been trimmed to 45 minutes. All told, 105 minutes have been stripped out of the MotoGP program. The 20-minute Sunday warm up is unchanged.

MotoGP machines are not permitted brake disc or pads made of “ceramic composite materials.” And internal electronics have been stymied, with electronic suspension control and launch control forbidden. Other tech modifications include a new rule that only five engines may be used during the season’s final eight races (beginning with the August round at Brno).

Although it is not explicitly stated in the FIM release announcing the rule changes, the move has been made to trim competition costs.

The official FIM rule changes are listed below:

1. Standard time schedule

Friday

• 13:05-13:45 125cc Free Practice 1
• 14:05-14:50 MotoGP Free Practice 1
• 15:05-15:50 250cc Free Practice 1

Saturday

• 09:05-09:45 125cc Free Practice 2
• 10:05-10:50 MotoGP Free Practice 2
• 11:05-11:50 250cc Free Practice 2
• 13:05-13:45 125cc Qualifying Practice
• 14:05-14:50 MotoGP Qualifying Practice
• 15:05-15:50 250cc Qualifying Practice

Sunday

• 08:40-09:00 125cc Warm Up
• 09:10-09:30 250cc Warm Up
• 09:40-10:00 MotoGP Warm Up
• 11:00 125cc Race
• 12:15 250cc Race
• 14:00 MotoGP Race

2. From Czech GP, maximum 5 engines can be used in 8 races. No changing of parts will be permitted except daily maintenance.

3. Ceramic composite materials are not permitted for brakes disc or pads.

4. Launch control system is not permitted.

5. Electronic controlled suspension is not permitted.

6. Only 2 post race tests at Catalunya and Czech GP for development purposes using test riders only are permitted.