2012 MotoGP Teams Application Announced
Cycle News Staff | April 6, 2011
The end of the 800cc MotoGP era and the advent of 1000s has brought renewed interest in the class, with the governing bodies setting a schedule for those want to take part in the MotoGP World Championship in 2012.The size of the MotoGP grid has been a concern for a few years, with it holding steady at 17 riders, and less when riders are injured. There were only 12 finishers in this past weekend’s Spanish Grand Prix at Jerez. With BMW, Aprilia, and others expected to show interest in the new format, the FIM, rightholders Dorna and team organization IRTA have set a number of deadlines for participation.On Friday, April 29, the first day of practice for the Portuguese Grand Prix at Estoril, teams “must register their interest in order to receive further information.” Teams thought to eligible will be sent a prospectus with further information and conditions.Two weeks later, on the first day of the Le Mans round, interested teams have to submit a formal application, which must include the detailed information requested in the prospectus.Those applications will be reviewed in France and teams will be notified of an acceptance, a rejection or pending status. A provisional list of teams will then be published.On the Friday of the following grand prix, on June 3 in Catalunya, Spain, the accepted teams will be required to lodge a security deposit with IRTA. A final list of accepted teams will then be published.
