GP Commission reaches compromise over mandatory spec ECU in 2014

After months of discussions, rumors and some off-handed threats by Honda that they would leave MotoGP if a spec ECU and a rev limit were to be introduced in 2014 and the Gran Prix Commission (Dorna, FIM, MSMA, IRTA) announced today at Valencia that have finally come to a compromise and have released a series of rule changes that will go into effect in 2014.

A standard ECU and datalogger will be mandatory for everyone, however MSMA members will be allowed to use their own software, but they will be ‘forced’ (the manufacturers actually asked for these rules) to use 20 liters of fuel instead of the current 21 and they will also be limited to just five engines per season, while the CRT’s will continue with their 24 liters and 12 engines a season, engine development however will be ‘frozen’ during the racing season, while engine bore and stroke will remain the same for three years.

The rev limit no longer appears to be on the table.
The statement also adds that these new rules will be subject to the fact the manufacturers must supply machines or engines to other teams for 2014, which means that Honda must now starting working on its low cost production racer based on its RC213V, while Yamaha has already stated that they are willing to lease engines to customers (which several team managers have already started criticizing on the fact that they will be leased), while we haven’t heard what Ducati’s plans could be.

The highly expected combined rider/weight in Moto2 was also announced and it will be replacing the machine weight that was 140kg.
The new combined weight will be 215kg and will be effective in 2013, should help the bigger and heavier riders, but the lightweights will now be forced to add ballast to their machines, which often complicates riding.
FIM Press Release after the jump: FIM Road Racing World Championship Grand PrixDecision of the Grand Prix CommissionThe Grand Prix Commission, composed of Messrs.
Carmelo Ezpeleta (Dorna, Chairman), Ignacio Verneda (FIM Executive Director, Sport), Herve Poncharal (IRTA) and Takanao Tsubouchi (MSMA) in the presence of Javier Alonso (Dorna) and Mike Trimby (IRTA, Secretary of the meeting), in a meeting held on 10 November 2012 in Valencia, decided on the following:Sporting RegulationsEffective immediately:Teams and their contracted or nominated riders become subject to all regulations with effect from the start of the “season”.
The season is defined as starting on the day after the last race of the preceding season.
The effect of this change is that all contracted teams and riders are subject to the same test restrictions.
In the case of an interrupted race then a penalty of starting from pit lane which had been imposed on a rider for the first part of the race will be replaced by a penalty of starting from the rear of the grid whenever the first part of the race has completed more than 50% of the original race distance.
The dispensation to allow MotoGP class “Rookie” riders to participate in one three day test during November/December is cancelled.
The penalty for speeding in pit lane has been increased from €70.
00 to €150.
00.
However, subsequent penalties in the same event will also be €150.
00 rather than the previous penalty of €370.
00Further detail sporting regulation changes were approved but publication of these will be postponed until after the next Grand Prix Commission meeting on 13 December.
Technical RegulationsEffective 01 January 2014: MotoGP ClassThe use of the ECU and datalogger provided by the Championship organisers is compulsory.
MSMA manufacturers, supplying machines for a maximum of four entries per manufacturer, will use their own electronics software but in this case are subject to a maximum fuel capacity of 20 litres.
All other machines must use the ECU, datalogger and software provided by the Championship organisers and these machines may have a maximum fuel capacity of 24 litres.
The maximum number of engines that may be used in a season is limited to: • MSMA manufacturers machines (Maximum four per manufacturer) 5 engines • MSMA manufacturers in their first season of participation 9 engines • All other entries 12 enginesEngines are frozen for all races of the same season.
In addition to the changes effective 2014, bore and stroke dimensions are frozen for the three year period 2013 to 2015.
Important Note: The above regulation changes are subject to the satisfactory conclusion of ongoing negotiations between FIM, Dorna and the Manufacturers concerning the supply of additional machines and engines for use by other teams from 2014.
Contracts for the supply of these machines, engines, parts and technical support must be concluded between Dorna and the Manufacturers prior to the first event of 2013.
Only then will the technical regulation changes be finally adopted.
Moto2 Class Effective Immediately:The minimum weight for this class will now be 215 kg being the combined weight of the machine and rider, including the rider’s protective equipment, on bike, camera, etc.
Ballast may be added to achieve the minimum weight.
Further detail technical regulation changes were approved but publication of these will be postponed until after the next Grand Prix Commission meeting on 13 December.
Best Grand PrixIRTA had agreed that the Best Grand Prix, previously decided exclusively by IRTA members should instead be nominated by the Grand Prix Commission representing all parties involved in the Championship.
The Commission decided to confirm the Malaysian GP at Sepang as the best Grand Prix of 2012.