Grand Prix Motorsports

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Motorsport is a competitive event that involves motorized vehicles for non-racing competition or racing. Motorcycle racing or bike racing is a sport that includes road racing, off road racing and track racing on open courses or circuits. Grand Prix Motorsports is the World Championship of motorcycle road racing divided into three categories: Moto GP, Moto2 and Moto3. These classes use four-stroke engines motorcycles that are not legally ridden on public roads and cannot be bought by the general public. The Superbike World Championship produces modified versions of road-going vehicles that are available on the market.

The first Road Racing World Championship Grand Prix was organized in 1949 by by the Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM), with teams represented by the International Road Racing Teams Association (IRTA). The vehicles were produced by the Motorcycle Sport Manufacturers Association (MSMA). These three entities, together with Dorna Sports, form the Grand Prix Commission. This commission votes the rules and regulations, as well as any changes that may occur.

The premier class of Grand Prix Motorsports is MotoGP. Between 1970 and 2001, this class allowed a maximum of four cylinders on two-stroke or four-stroke engines. Most machines were two-strokes because of the greater power output, although some three-cylinder two-stroke 500s competed. Since 2002, new rules were emitted and the four-strokes (990cc or less) became available. Manufacturers could choose their own engine configuration, and despite the high costs, the four-strokes soon dominated their weaker rivals. The two-stroke vehicles disappeared completely by 2003, and in 2007 the maximum engine capacity was reduced to 800 cc. Five years later the displacement capacity increased to 1,000 cc once again.

Today, the Grand Prix Motorsports MotoGP is a 1,000 cc class. The maximum cylinders are limited to four and the maximum bore at 81 mm. Teams that are not competing for major manufacturers can apply for a Claiming Rule Team (CRT). This status allows independent teams to race at a lower costs and with an increased number of entries. These less restrictive rules apply also to the fuel allowance and the number of engines. Teams received these changes positively.

The Moto2 is a four-stroke class that uses mandatory 600cc Honda engines with Dunlop control tyres. This new category was launched in 2010 and was supposed to compete alongside with the 250cc motorcycles, but instead it replaced them. Moto2 is an economical class, because of the use of steel brakes and limited electronics. Moto3 class was launched in 2012 and it replaced the 125 cc class. The bikes are restricted to a single-cylinder 250cc engine with a 81 mm bore. The maximum age for riders is 28, and the minimum weight for botch rider and vehicle is 148 kg.