Kawasaki pulls out of MotoGP 2009

[BlueLT1SS]

Reports from Europe have it that Kawasaki may be on the verge of quitting MotoGP-- immediately. The global economic slowdown seems to be the source of the possible loss of Kawasaki from the MotoGP championship. An announcement is expected after the new year.
What would happen to Kawasaki's two contracted riders if Team Green did pull out--American John Hopkins and Italian Marco Melandri--is as yet unknown.
If this news is true, Kawasaki dropping out of MotoGP is going to be seen as a serious blow to the spend-spend-spend-MotoGP championship.

There are also stories that Marco Malandri and John Hopkins have been told they don't have jobs for next year.
http://superbikeplanet.com/2008/Dec/081230b.htm

[T-SPOON]

That is nuts!!

[4DRSS]

First Honda with F1 racing and now this. Tough economic times ahead...

[lowthreeohz]

wow!

[Marisa]

That's the stupidest thing I've ever heard. FIM already has the provisional entry list for this year and both Hopper and Marco are on it.

[Sean88gt]

That's the stupidest thing I've ever heard. FIM already has the provisional entry list for this year and both Hopper and Marco are on it.

mmmmhmmm, never heard back from you to tell me I was right!:p

[perezsteveo]

That's the stupidest thing I've ever heard. FIM already has the provisional entry list for this year and both Hopper and Marco are on it.

This sucks
KAWASAKI PRESS RELEASE

Tokyo, January 9, 2009 -- Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd. announced today that it has decided to suspend its factory MotoGP racing activities from 2009 season.

Amid quickly changing business environment, Kawasaki has been promptly taking countermeasures to cope with the situation. As the world economy is not likely to recover in a short period due to the major impact of the financial crisis, Kawasaki decided to suspend its MotoGP racing activities from 2009 season onward and reallocate management resources more efficiently.

Kawasaki will continue racing activities using mass-produced motorcycles as well as supporting general race-oriented customers.

Kawasaki would like to thank all the fans and all those who have forwarded us great help.

Mr.Yoshio Kawamura, the Managing Director of Kawasaki Motors Racing B.V. deeply appreciates the contribution and the dedication brought by staff members of the MotoGP team.

ENDS

[Marisa]

Dude.

[lowthreeohz]

Dude.


Sweet! What's mine say?!

[Marisa]

Sweet! What's mine say?!

This is no time for jokes! :rant:
I'm in mourning!

[mysticcobrakilla]

I hope Hopkins finds a ride! This sucks. I had high hopes for the green team this year!

[grape]

they just did hopkins a favor, maybe this way he can retire without being in a wheelchair...............

[Neiladin]

Yay!! Make way for more individually owned private race teams!!!:tapedshut:

[Sean88gt]

This is no time for jokes! :rant:
I'm in mourning!

You should be congratulating me on being Mr. Right, again!

[Five Oh]

John Hopkins performance has been poor the past couple of years anyway. That and he's injured all the time.

[HobieF3]

John Hopkins performance has been poor the past couple of years anyway. That and he's injured all the time.

He's talented, but he's always on a shit machine.

[Five Oh]

There are other riders out there that aren't on Factory bikes that do a lot better. Even when Hopkins was riding for Red Bull Yamaha he didn't do too well. I will admit that Kawasaki needed to step up their game though. He's not a terrible rider, but I don't see his future in MotoGP being too bright.

[GT Dan]

How much money is Kawasaki saving by suspending this?

[lowthreeohz]

Hey Risa check this out...
http://www.crash.net/motorsport/motogp/news/173299-0/2009_kawasaki_on_track_in_australia.html

[Marisa]

WTF? A privateer team in GP? that's nuts!

[Five Oh]

WTF? A privateer team in GP? that's nuts!

I imagine it will be more like the Satellite teams won't it?