2012 Moto3 Engine Presented at Mugello

As many of you know, Moto3 will be replacing the current 125cc class in 2012, using a new 250cc four-stroke engine. The first prototype engine for Moto3 was presented by the Giampiero Sacchi, owner of the Ioda Racing Project team, at the eighth round of the 2011 season at Mugello this past weekend, with the chassis to be revealed this September.

The unit is claimed to produce more than 50 horsepower and has been dyno tested in a version for karts, as well as stress tested for reliability.

The single-cylinder 250cc four-stroke prototype engine reportedly weighs in at 20.6 kg (45.4 lbs), with titanium con rod and valves, extractable gear box, and a dry slipper clutch. According to Sacchi, the cost will be EUR12,000 plus IVA (Italian VAT).

"This is the second step of the Ioda project, the third will be in the fall, when we present the bike for next year's World Championship,” Sacchi was quoted as saying by MotoGP.com. “It all started on October 26 last year in Estoril, with the presentation of the TR001 (a prototype bike). That day was a crucial step because then, with Roberto (Papetti, the project lead), we began to build and develop this engine, and we are pleased to present it to enthusiasts and fans."

Ioda Racing Project collaborated with Robby Motor Technology to form a new company, Emir (EMIR GP 3) to develop the engine.

"Moto3 is a category where the necessary technology isn't only available to the big manufacturers, but also to small engineering firms. What these small firms lack in production capacity then can make up for with close client relationships. This class is very interesting, it is an inviting challenge," added Sacchi.