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MotoGP, Aprilia wins the battle with KTM on frozen engines

KTM would have liked Aprilia to freeze its engines from the beginning of the year, but the Italian company, which has new engines, will be able to work on them until 29 June.  

MotoGP: Aprilia wins the battle with KTM on frozen engines

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There had been a diatribe between KTM and Aprilia about the date of the freezing of engines for factories with "concessions". FIM proved the Italian company right taking into account that the company from Venice will debut in 2020 with a completely new engine.

The Grand Prix Commission, composed of Messrs. Carmelo Ezpeleta (Dorna, Chairman), Paul Duparc (FIM), Hervé Poncharal (IRTA) and Takanao Tsubouchi (MSMA), in electronic meetings held on 30 April and 7 May 2020, made the following decisions which are all consequent on the impact of the coronavirus epidemic:

CONCESSION POINTS – MotoGP CLASS MANUFACTURERS

One consequence of the reduced number of events in 2020 meant it was possible for a non-concession manufacturer to gain concessions for 2021 based on results in just a few races. To address this issue the Commission agreed the following change to the regulations:

During the 2020 season concessions can only be lost, but not gained. Current regulations apply to the timing of the loss of concessions.

All concession points gained during the 2020 by concession manufacturers will continue to have a 2-year validity.

ENGINE HOMOLOGATION – MotoGP CLASS MANUFACTURERS WITH CONCESSIONS

The GPC has decided that homologation of 2020/21 engine specifications for MotoGP class manufactures  who benefit from concessions can be postponed. This means that KTM and Aprilia are now required to supply sample engines to the Technical Director by the deadline of 29 . June 2020.

WILD CARD ENTRIES – ALL CLASSES

The likelihood of any events in 2020 needing to be held behind closed doors means that it is necessary to keep participant numbers to the absolute minimum. It is also important to allow optimum utilisation of pit box space by the contracted teams.

The Commission have therefore decided that wild card entries, in all classes, will be suspended for the 2020 season. This decision was also in line with cost reduction policies for MotoGP Class manufacturers.

There is every intention to restore wild card entries in 2021 but this decision will be reviewed prior to the 2021 season.

A regularly updated version of the FIM Grand Prix Regulations which contains the detailed text of the regulation changes may be viewed shortly HERE.

 

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