autoevolution
 

Yamaha Offers Forward Engines and New Frames, Miller Jumps from Moto3 to MotoGP

Yamaha Racing Team has announced a completely new strategic alignment in the Open Class for the 2015 season and beyond. Lin Jarvis has talked to MCN and he was rather specific: in the absence of other teams looking to lease Iwata engines, the existing partner, NGM Forward Racing will get a new, better deal, and if they want, a complete Yamaha package.
Forward Racing will get pretty similar bikes to what Lorenzo and Rossi ride in 2014 4 photos
Photo: Yamaha Racing Team
Daryl Beattie & Mick Doohan, Phillip Island 100 Grand PrixJack MillerLorenzo and Rossi
The change of strategy comes as a completely different position from what Yamaha adopted earlier this year. Iwata officials said that Forward was to receive only the M1 engines, with the frame and swingarm no longer available for 2015. Still, Yamaha was obviously forced to reconsider their choice after Honda announced that their 2015-spec Open machines will receive a massive upgrade in the shape of pneumatic valves.

As this is one of the key elements in squeezing more power from an engine, allowing it to reach higher revs, the new Open class Honda bikes would definitely have a solid advantage over their Yamaha counterparts… and the Three Tuning Forks are not okay with this.

Jarvis said that Forward can choose to retain the actual, 2013-spec Yamaha chassis, and that the factory will make a serious update to the M1 engines it will lease. What’s even more important is the fact that Forward will also have access to the 2014-spec (current) chassis, if they want to and can afford it. At the same time, they are not forced to use Yamaha frames, and are welcome to use their own ones, if they believe they are a better fit for the M1 power unit.

Still, the leased M1 engines will not be equipped with the seamless gearbox as the current state of development of the Open class ECU software is not compatible with the technology. This will change in the future, as 2016 brings the Unified software, which will be specifically created to work with all the existing transmissions. Nice move from Yamaha, looking forward to see Forward on track in 2016!

From Moto3 to MotoGP

A huge step in the career on 19-year-old Oz rider Jack Miller, as he will be at the helm of an Open-class Honda RC213V-RS bike, under the banners of the CWM LCR Honda Team… and thus become team mate with Cal Crutchlow, who recently announced his departure from Ducati at the end of the current season. At LCR, Crutchlow will however ride the factory-spec RC213V machine.

Jack Miller is currently the leading rider in the Moto3 championship, with a rather frail 9-point advantage over Marc Marquez’ brother Alex, but looking as good and competitive as ever.

This is the first time when Lucio Cecchinello is able to field a two-bike entry in MotoGP since his team joined the grid back in 2006. Money comes from LCR’s new sponsor, British financial group CWM, and Cecchinello seems just as excited as young Miller.

“Without any doubt, this is a very exciting project and a completely new challenge for us. For sure Jack will need time to learn how to ride a 1000cc machine but there is no rush, and next year will just be a learning season for him in the new class. Honda has a long term plan with him and we believe that with no pressure Jack will be able to show his talent in MotoGP,” he adds.

Miller is also frantic with the prospect of becoming a MotoGP rider: “I’m very happy to make the leap up to MotoGP next year, especially because I will do so alongside HRC. It's a dream come true. I think that every rider would like to race at the highest level in the World Championship with a Honda. It is certainly a big jump from Moto3 to MotoGP, but I am convinced that we are ready and that, step-by-step, learning every day, we can do a great job.”

Australian GP turns 100

This year is big celebration time for the Australian Grand Prix, as the 17-19 October round at Phillip Island will mark the centenary of this sporting event. The initial Australian GP was held near Bathurst, New South Wales.

The first Oz-based GP was held in 1914 and was won by Sydney’s Edgar Meller. The race was a 9-lap struggle on a public course in a hilly area, with each lap measuring 15.5 miles (24.9km). It took Meller 210 minutes to reach the finish line, in the presence of some 700 spectators including the Mayor and the Sergeant of Police.

The 100th Australian GP is also the 18th round in a row held at the Phillip Island circuit. Attendants will also be able to see an 1914 Indian Motorcycle which will be on display during the racing weekend and will get to meet Australian MotoGP legends which will most likely be present on the premises.
If you liked the article, please follow us:  Google News icon Google News Youtube Instagram X (Twitter)
 

Would you like AUTOEVOLUTION to send you notifications?

You will only receive our top stories