Kawasaki withdraw from MotoGP

Added on Friday, January 9th, 2009 by Carole Nash Editor | No Comments

Kawasaki blamed the decision on the need to cut costs.

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 has officially confirmed that it will be pulling out of the 2009 MotoGP championship.

The Japanese manufacturer will withdraw all factory support for the championship with immediate effect as the company looks to cut costs amid the current financial downturn. It’s estimated that the company spends around £32m on its MotoGP operations every year.

In a statement, Kawasaki bosses blamed a “quickly changing business environment” on the need to “reallocate management resources more efficiently”.

The move leaves both John Hopkins and new signing Marco Melandri without a ride for the 2009 season and means that Kawasaki becomes the first motorcycle manufacturer to pull out of competitive motorsport, following in the footsteps of the Honda F1 team and Suzuki and Subaru WRC teams.

The decision does not affect Kawasaki operators in both BSB and WSB, who were run independently of the manufacturer.

A statement released today read: “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.”

No comment has yet come from ASPAR team manager Jorge Martinez, who has shown interest in taking up Kawasaki’s place in the championship.

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