We know there are a lot of guys who would like to see KTM as a MotoGP entry any time soon, but we have to disappoint them.
KTM's CEO Stefan Pierer expressly mentioned that the premium class is not returning the investment the Austrian manufacturer should make to enter the series. Defintely no KTM MotoGP prototypes, at least for a long time now: “If you look at the coming decade then I think MotoGP is not so interesting for us because so much money is needed and I cannot see any gain from a big outlay."
However, when it came to Moto2 and World Superbike, Pierer said that KTM are definitely interested in a potential expansion of racing world series... provided Dorna, who owns the rights for these competitions made some changes.
For Moto2, Pierer added that Dorna allowing other engine manufacturers (and KTM's 500cc twin power plant) is essential for bringing true racing spirit: "I think the promoter is recognising that you need a couple of manufacturers otherwise it is not racing; it is a cup race. Although the action is very close, where is the attraction? Suter racing against Kalex?
Nobody will pay money for that. The existing format of Moto2 will lower in attraction and the promoter will have to act and the logical move will be to take the good concept they have in Moto3, namely the single cylinder 250 and making some limits. So…let’s make a 500 two cylinder. You can use components from that. It is not difficult to step in for some manufacturers," Pierer added on the KTM Blog.
As for Superbike, Pierer mentioned the unstable rules and the price of such operations: “If the rules come down to visible and affordable levels and the bikes are close to a standard product and without the minimum quantities rule then we would think about it. That’s clear. [...] At the moment it is linked to quantities of sales and the rules were not stable in terms of costs for racing. What would be important for Superbike is having the same technical rules, whether it is world, AMA or Germany…similar to motocross. It becomes interesting then."
We might get to see a KTM entry in WSBK in the next 2 or 3 years, especially as an RC8 successor is sort of coming. And if Dorna rethinks their rules and racing organising strategy, we'd say the future is bright. And orange.
KTM's CEO Stefan Pierer expressly mentioned that the premium class is not returning the investment the Austrian manufacturer should make to enter the series. Defintely no KTM MotoGP prototypes, at least for a long time now: “If you look at the coming decade then I think MotoGP is not so interesting for us because so much money is needed and I cannot see any gain from a big outlay."
However, when it came to Moto2 and World Superbike, Pierer said that KTM are definitely interested in a potential expansion of racing world series... provided Dorna, who owns the rights for these competitions made some changes.
For Moto2, Pierer added that Dorna allowing other engine manufacturers (and KTM's 500cc twin power plant) is essential for bringing true racing spirit: "I think the promoter is recognising that you need a couple of manufacturers otherwise it is not racing; it is a cup race. Although the action is very close, where is the attraction? Suter racing against Kalex?
Nobody will pay money for that. The existing format of Moto2 will lower in attraction and the promoter will have to act and the logical move will be to take the good concept they have in Moto3, namely the single cylinder 250 and making some limits. So…let’s make a 500 two cylinder. You can use components from that. It is not difficult to step in for some manufacturers," Pierer added on the KTM Blog.
As for Superbike, Pierer mentioned the unstable rules and the price of such operations: “If the rules come down to visible and affordable levels and the bikes are close to a standard product and without the minimum quantities rule then we would think about it. That’s clear. [...] At the moment it is linked to quantities of sales and the rules were not stable in terms of costs for racing. What would be important for Superbike is having the same technical rules, whether it is world, AMA or Germany…similar to motocross. It becomes interesting then."
We might get to see a KTM entry in WSBK in the next 2 or 3 years, especially as an RC8 successor is sort of coming. And if Dorna rethinks their rules and racing organising strategy, we'd say the future is bright. And orange.
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