Grand Prix Commission Opts For MotoGP Single Tyre Rule

In a meeting at Japan’s Motegi circuit on September 28 the Grand Prix Commission decided unanimously in favour of a single tyre supplier in the MotoGP class, starting in 2009. The Commission states that it reached this decision on the bases of “safety and cost reasons”, and proposals from tyre manufacturers regarding supply must be handed to the FIM and Dorna by 3rd October at the latest. The final decision will be announced by the Commission at the latest by 18th October.

Dorna chairman Carmelo Ezpeleta commented, “We postponed the decision until today so that we could get more ideas and opinions about it. Finally we decided, the Grand Prix Commission, unanimously, for safety reasons and to reduce costs that we would go to a one-tyre rule. Now the FIM ask for a tender, which means that the tyre manufacturers who are interested in competing for the tender must send their offers before next Saturday. From there we will study the different offers and then no later than 18th October the Grand Prix Commission will decide who will supply the tyres.”