GSE withdraw from BSB
Discussion
Only out if the organisers don't give them the same dispensation the Ducati's will get in WSBK. DOn't know what they will do as they say they don't have sponsors interested in WSBK.
As for Haslam and Lavilla.
As for Haslam and Lavilla.
Crash.net said:
Rider rumours
Cal Crutchlow, one of the hottest young names in British Superbikes after scoring his first podium position at
Brands Hatch today, has options to join HM Plant Honda or remain with his current Rizla Suzuki team, he said on Sunday night.
"It looks very likely that I'll go to Honda," the 21-year-old revealed. "But if not, I have a great offer from Rizla Suzuki. Next year I really want to have a go at winning the championship."
Crutchlow was one of many top riders uncertain about their future last night after the 26-race series closed with the shock withdrawal of the GSE Racing Airwaves Ducati squad, who are deadlocked in a dispute over regulations with the organising MCRCB (Motorcycle Circuit Racing Control Board).
Rumour and counter-rumour were flowing round the paddock as riders and teams tried to piece together a mighty jigsaw in the repercussions of GSE's departure from a series they have won three times. Crash.net took a tour of the pitboxes and hospitality units to see what some of the key players were saying:
Airwaves' Gregorio Lavilla, who won both races on Sunday: "I wanted to stay with GSE. I have not talked to other teams. But now I'll have to go home, think about things and pick up the phone to see what there is in WSBK or BSB."
Leon Haslam, third in the series this year with Airwaves: "I'll make a decision tonight or tomorrow. I'm talking to Rizla Suzuki, HM Plant Honda, Frankie Chili's Honda WSBK team, and Ducati."
Leon Camier, the 21-year-old BikeAnimal Honda rider who is recovering from a broken femur: "I expect a decision in the next week or two. I could be with HM Plant Honda next year."
Chris Walker, who is leaving Rizla Suzuki this year: "I've not had a good season but the phone's been hotter than I thought it would be. I'm talking to Hydrex Honda and Virgin Yamaha in BSB, to DFX Honda and my old PSG-1 Kawasaki team in WSBK, and to Triumph, Honda and Kawasaki teams in World Supersport."
Tommy Hill, who has ridden Yamahas in some World Supersport races this year as well as his Virgin Mobile Yamaha in BSB: "I've got an option with the Yamaha France Supersport team. They design the kit parts that go to other teams, and they need some help with development. There are also options with Yoshimura Suzuki in World Supersport, a second Yamaha team and a Honda team."
HM Plant manager Neil Tuxworth was more circumspect about what his championing-winning team is planning for 2008. "We should know at the end of next week," he said. "We will run two Superbike riders and a Supersport rider. I would say that Gregorio Lavilla is the only rider in the top ten in the championship who hasn't spoken to us."
Cal Crutchlow, one of the hottest young names in British Superbikes after scoring his first podium position at
Brands Hatch today, has options to join HM Plant Honda or remain with his current Rizla Suzuki team, he said on Sunday night.
"It looks very likely that I'll go to Honda," the 21-year-old revealed. "But if not, I have a great offer from Rizla Suzuki. Next year I really want to have a go at winning the championship."
Crutchlow was one of many top riders uncertain about their future last night after the 26-race series closed with the shock withdrawal of the GSE Racing Airwaves Ducati squad, who are deadlocked in a dispute over regulations with the organising MCRCB (Motorcycle Circuit Racing Control Board).
Rumour and counter-rumour were flowing round the paddock as riders and teams tried to piece together a mighty jigsaw in the repercussions of GSE's departure from a series they have won three times. Crash.net took a tour of the pitboxes and hospitality units to see what some of the key players were saying:
Airwaves' Gregorio Lavilla, who won both races on Sunday: "I wanted to stay with GSE. I have not talked to other teams. But now I'll have to go home, think about things and pick up the phone to see what there is in WSBK or BSB."
Leon Haslam, third in the series this year with Airwaves: "I'll make a decision tonight or tomorrow. I'm talking to Rizla Suzuki, HM Plant Honda, Frankie Chili's Honda WSBK team, and Ducati."
Leon Camier, the 21-year-old BikeAnimal Honda rider who is recovering from a broken femur: "I expect a decision in the next week or two. I could be with HM Plant Honda next year."
Chris Walker, who is leaving Rizla Suzuki this year: "I've not had a good season but the phone's been hotter than I thought it would be. I'm talking to Hydrex Honda and Virgin Yamaha in BSB, to DFX Honda and my old PSG-1 Kawasaki team in WSBK, and to Triumph, Honda and Kawasaki teams in World Supersport."
Tommy Hill, who has ridden Yamahas in some World Supersport races this year as well as his Virgin Mobile Yamaha in BSB: "I've got an option with the Yamaha France Supersport team. They design the kit parts that go to other teams, and they need some help with development. There are also options with Yoshimura Suzuki in World Supersport, a second Yamaha team and a Honda team."
HM Plant manager Neil Tuxworth was more circumspect about what his championing-winning team is planning for 2008. "We should know at the end of next week," he said. "We will run two Superbike riders and a Supersport rider. I would say that Gregorio Lavilla is the only rider in the top ten in the championship who hasn't spoken to us."
It's all about pistons, and I think it will be damaging for the series to not have a top Ducati team.
Buildbase were going to step up to BSB level, but are unsure due to the technical regs.
I don't disagree with the regs either, it just seems it's nose off despite face all round and one of the best teams in the paddock is off again !
I understand Stuart Higgs trying to protect the series, but we are losing a team who brought in a lot of money and sponsors to a series which needs it.
Next years regs are about making racing cheaper and closer. Superspot tuning with stock frames etc . . Why can't the teams agree a dispensation for Ducatis, led by the teams agreeing what it is ?
I watched the R6 cup from inside druids yesterday and it filled me with dread that the best feeder class for superbikes is being ditched in favour of the R1 Challenge. I just think Higgs is trying to appeal to TV fans at the cost of rider development, and this is another loss.
Crutchlow, Sykes, Hill, Roberts and many more, where did they come from ?
It's like the one tyre rule . .. If we are not careful all of the series will have one tyre rule, and I agree it has worked in WSB. But it has taken 3-4yrs to get the tyres to the level and lap times Michelin shod riders were achieving 3-4yrs previously . . .. How is that good for development ?
Things have to move on, and as I say, making the racing cheaper and closer can only be a good thing.
I go to every round of the BSB except Knockhill, Mondello (dropped for '08) and Croft. I am quite sure that the series will suffer for not having a top Ducati team, and that a solution can/will be found.
The series can ill afford to turn their backs on the likes of GSE.
The teams are all critical enough of Dorna, and the perceived lack of any impact or commercial benefits brought by them to the series. Now regulating the series to a point where a team can not compete seems like kicking a man when he's down . .
Sorry I've ranted on, and I don't have an answer. But I spend a good deal of money and time following BSB up and down the country, and I am very keen that it survives commercially, competitively and develops the next Toseland, as it is responsible to do.
Buildbase were going to step up to BSB level, but are unsure due to the technical regs.
I don't disagree with the regs either, it just seems it's nose off despite face all round and one of the best teams in the paddock is off again !
I understand Stuart Higgs trying to protect the series, but we are losing a team who brought in a lot of money and sponsors to a series which needs it.
Next years regs are about making racing cheaper and closer. Superspot tuning with stock frames etc . . Why can't the teams agree a dispensation for Ducatis, led by the teams agreeing what it is ?
I watched the R6 cup from inside druids yesterday and it filled me with dread that the best feeder class for superbikes is being ditched in favour of the R1 Challenge. I just think Higgs is trying to appeal to TV fans at the cost of rider development, and this is another loss.
Crutchlow, Sykes, Hill, Roberts and many more, where did they come from ?
It's like the one tyre rule . .. If we are not careful all of the series will have one tyre rule, and I agree it has worked in WSB. But it has taken 3-4yrs to get the tyres to the level and lap times Michelin shod riders were achieving 3-4yrs previously . . .. How is that good for development ?
Things have to move on, and as I say, making the racing cheaper and closer can only be a good thing.
I go to every round of the BSB except Knockhill, Mondello (dropped for '08) and Croft. I am quite sure that the series will suffer for not having a top Ducati team, and that a solution can/will be found.
The series can ill afford to turn their backs on the likes of GSE.
The teams are all critical enough of Dorna, and the perceived lack of any impact or commercial benefits brought by them to the series. Now regulating the series to a point where a team can not compete seems like kicking a man when he's down . .
Sorry I've ranted on, and I don't have an answer. But I spend a good deal of money and time following BSB up and down the country, and I am very keen that it survives commercially, competitively and develops the next Toseland, as it is responsible to do.
I thought the series organisers had give the OK to the Ducati teams using different pistons?
However, I have little sympathy for them to be honest, they got their 1,200cc ruling ,if the pistons in the thing aint good enough as standard than perhaps they should have thought about that at the design stage rather than whinge about the event after they’ve manufactured it.
It’ll be a short term thing I bet, after a bit of huffing and puffing they or a top flight Ducati team will be back anyway, I can live without them for a season or two.
However, I have little sympathy for them to be honest, they got their 1,200cc ruling ,if the pistons in the thing aint good enough as standard than perhaps they should have thought about that at the design stage rather than whinge about the event after they’ve manufactured it.
It’ll be a short term thing I bet, after a bit of huffing and puffing they or a top flight Ducati team will be back anyway, I can live without them for a season or two.
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