Rule Changes to Dakar !!!!

[Scott ButlerMember]

From the dakar site –

…..”On two wheels the measure was expected by many for a long time, indeed only bikes with engines of under 450cc will be accepted on the race for 2011. For 2010, an adjustment is kept for the amateurs owning 660cc allowing them to compete with a bridle. The professionals will compete on 450cc as soon as the next Dakar.”

This has some good implications for DRZ’s WR’s and CRF’s, hopefully more bits and pieces and more developments for the 400’s and 450’s.. … i predict a DRZ whitewash of the Dakar 2011.:laugh:

[glennMember]

mototrans wrote:

Quote:

From the dakar site –

…..”On two wheels the measure was expected by many for a long time, indeed only bikes with engines of under 450cc will be accepted on the race for 2011. For 2010, an adjustment is kept for the amateurs owning 660cc allowing them to compete with a bridle. The professionals will compete on 450cc as soon as the next Dakar.”

This has some good implications for DRZ’s WR’s and CRF’s, hopefully more bits and pieces and more developments for the 400’s and 450’s.. … i predict a DRZ whitewash of the Dakar 2011.:laugh:

I so like this man

who is he

[Anonymous]

it’s just not cricket

[Eric SmithMember]

I’m surprised by that actually, the big bores have been the staple contendors in Dakar and indeed most rally events for a lot of years now. I wonder if the Aus Safari will follow suit? It would seem logical really.

Dunno about the DRZ whitewash, given the success of Honda in so many desert events over the last few years. KTM also build bikes specifically for these events so a poor old stock standard DRZ, even if it has bits bolted on, is unlikely to take line honours any time soon!

[Scott ButlerMember]

ECKS-Man wrote:

Quote:

I’m surprised by that actually, the big bores have been the staple contendors in Dakar and indeed most rally events for a lot of years now. I wonder if the Aus Safari will follow suit? It would seem logical really.

Dunno about the DRZ whitewash, given the success of Honda in so many desert events over the last few years. KTM also build bikes specifically for these events so a poor old stock standard DRZ, even if it has bits bolted on, is unlikely to take line honours any time soon!

Good point, the Hondas kicked ass at Condo, its just a shame they didn’t finish. Its a bit of an old bull young bull thing, you’ll understand one day Grasshopper….:lol:

(maybe the whitewash was a bit tongue in cheek)

[GregMember]

champo35 wrote:

Quote:

it’s just not cricket

Not if its going to bring more factories into it, think about it, it opens so more many doors for everyone. A privateer can buy most any brand and buy over the counter parts to go fast.

KTM have some much experience and a good 450 product so that wont hurt them

The 450’s in the Australian safari are doing 170kph faster than the Dakar bikes

Also rider safety is a big issue and the bikes already are limited in the their top speed (160kph I think you will find, I will email someone that knows and confirm that for ya) and 450’s are lighter so safety will be somewhat behind their decision

I think it can only be a good thing because of those reasons if it gets more factory support for the sport and better for the privateers its a good thing I think

TB

[Eric SmithMember]

mototrans wrote:

Quote:

Good point, the Hondas kicked ass at Condo, its just a shame they didn’t finish. Its a bit of an old bull young bull thing, you’ll understand one day Grasshopper….:lol:

(maybe the whitewash was a bit tongue in cheek)

Who did what at Condo?? I believe the winning bike was not red… or yellow… or orange… gee what colour was it again? Oh, that’s right! BLUE! :laugh:

I’d love to see Yamaha get into desert racing the same as Honda does/did (whatever) as they certainly have a good package to base a race bike on.

I’d love to see a new generation DRZ as well, but I am not holding my breath waiting for it!:laugh:

[glennMember]

2010
DRZ wins dakar

watch this space ..

They have been experimenting with chads fuel injected rm for about 24 months now

Do not rule them out just yet and god help yous if they do win .lol

[Jeffrey SmithMember]

Maybe that will inspire Suzuki to do with the RMZ what the other japanese manufacturers have done and make a road legal version

[Eric SmithMember]

Boony wrote:

Quote:

2100
DRZ wins dakar

watch this space ..

They have been experimenting with chads fuel injected rm for about 24 months now

Do not rule them out just yet and god help yous if they do win .lol

Yeah, given enough time they will get there…

Slim chance of a new generation Suzuki enduro bike arriving in time for 2010 though. Even if it did they wouldn’t have the reliability that the current version does.

Still as TB says, it is a nett gain for the sport, and levels the playing field somewhat. The 950’s at Condo this year were scary fast, topping 180km/h (or more?) in some stages. That’s instant death right there!

[glennMember]

Jeffro wrote:

Quote:

Maybe that will inspire Suzuki to do with the RMZ what the other japanese manufacturers have done and make a road legal version

I recon suzuki will take a leaf out of a few other manufactors book and up the anty on there bikes.. the current market is for fast road legal off road bikes like the new 300 ktm 2 burner (not that here good bikes) but you hear what I`m saying

[Eric SmithMember]

Funny, there was one DRZ started Dakar this year, and one finished. Good record!

I think the rule change will make Aprilia RXV450’s the ducks guts on rally’s – assuming they have no reliability issues that is. It will change things in a fairly major way for desert racing. Interesting to see how it all develops over the next few years.

[Eric SmithMember]

Today, the following statement came from KTM…

Following the announcement at a press conference on June 4, 2009 of the French “ASO” – the organisers of the “South American Dakar” that from 2010, only motorcycles with a maximum displacement of 450 cc will be permitted to compete, KTM, after eight consecutive victories, has decided to immediately accept the consequences and announces its withdrawal from the “Dakar.”

The company will no longer be represented at the rally in South America either with an official factory team or a KTM-supported team. At the same time, KTM underlines that the company remains committed to rally sport and will now concentrate its efforts on the world championship and other important rallies.

The organiser’s short term change to the rules, designed to end the dominance of KTM, and which comes without any advance warning, hits the KTM factory hard. Today, just six months before the start – and at a time when not only the factory team but also dozens of private teams are deep in preparations for this extremely complex rally, the immediate withdrawal of the worldwide market leader of offroad sports motorcycle is the only possible consequence.

“Every sport regulation needs changes and adjustments to new developments to retain an interest in it, but this also require the appropriate lead times. We have the entire material for the 690 Rally motorcycles for our factory team as well as that for 50 customers’ motorcycles in our storage facility ready to be constructed in June. Riders’ contracts have been finalised and all the team members have been engaged. The financial consequences that results from this decision are enormous. Quite apart from this, we are shocked by the organiser’s lack of loyalty, above all because of the huge efforts we made following the cancellation of the Dakar in 2008 by contributing to the new edition – even during a period of extreme economic crisis,” said KTM Motor Sport Advisor and “Rally Legend” Heinz Kinigadner in a first statement.

Following the decision for the deployment of 450cc motorcycles, which are unthinkably unsuitable for use in long distance rallies, KTM can no longer economically justify a commitment to be engaged in the Dakar in the future. KTM Motor Sport Director Winfried Kerschhaggl: “Rally sport serves to prove the efficiency and stability of our large volume series single cylinder. There is no question that we will remain active in rally sport! Having said that, for KTM, the rally in South America is now history. We will now fully concentrate on the Rally World Championship and we will seek out alternatives. Maybe we will soon again see full KTM Rally engagement on African soil – back to the roots!”

With its commitment to rally sports, KTM naturally takes the obligations to its long term worldwide customers seriously because it is they who have decided to put their trust in the products and in the unique service of the Austrian company for rally sport by choosing KTM motorcycles.

[GregMember]

I feel for the KTM team to have all those resources waiting to go, it should have been fazed in over 3 years or so, bad move from that angle Mr Organiser :angry:

Quote:

Following the decision for the deployment of 450cc motorcycles, which are unthinkably unsuitable for use in long distance rallies,

But the below statement also caught my eye, didnt a privateer on a 450 Yamaha finish 3rd last year.

As much as I feel for KTM having all those resources, under the rule change privateers can use 690 next year, why not unload those to them, keep all the wheel sets , riders, tooling etc and build 450 factory bikes and prove their worth?

Is their dominance limited to having a tried and true bike bigger than everyone else’s? They the KTM team has done to good a job to not stick to everyone else if they can under the new rules as well, they have a well drilled experienced team and if their 450 isn’t like they have to start from scratch like the other manufacturers

TB

[Eric SmithMember]

You’re so right there TB, I suspect this is a gut reaction rather than a set in stone policy. It reeks of “If you change the rules I’ll take my bat and ball and go home!”

There is no reason they couldn’t do exactly as you say, sell of the big bore gear to privateers and get the 450’s happening. A 450 can compete in this race – and win if supported properly.

I’d love to see KTM say “alright you bastards”, tool up for the 450’s and win anyway!

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