Official: “Rookie Rule” scrapped by Grand Prix Commission

An official announcement via the FIM today confirmed the “Rookie Rule” as being scrapped, meaning that any rider moving up to the MotoGP class will now be able again to directly join a factory team again without having to race with a satellite or CRT outfit first.

The obvious question on everyone’s lips now is… “Marquez to HRC”?????? We’ll see in due course. For now here is the complete press release, including other regulation changes announced from the meeting.

The 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 28 June in Assen, decided the following:

Sporting Regulations
Effective immediately:
The same penalty that exists in the MotoGP class for exceeding the permitted number of engines used will also apply in the Moto3 class. The rider will start the race 10 seconds after the green light is on at the pit lane exit.

Effective 01 January 2013:
“Rookie” riders will be permitted to be entered by a factory team.
In the MotoGP class manufacturers are restricted to two direct entries per manufacturer and may provide material for a maximum of two entries per manufacturer operated by Independent teams.

Technical Regulations
Effective Immediately:
Machines entered in the MotoGP class are restricted to using unchanged bore and stroke dimensions throughout 2012-2014. Current dimensions must be notified to the Technical Director.

Minor changes to the regulations concerning Moto3 parts supply were approved. The effect is to ensure that upgrades are available to all entries at the same time.

Effective 01 January 2013:
In the MotoGP class machines may use a maximum of 24 possible gear ratios and four possible ratios for the primary gear.

Source: FIM Press Release