KTM TEAM ASKS FOR RULE CLARIFICATION
18 September 2005 - KTM-Sportmotorcycles AG

Red Bull KTM team boss Harald Bartol has confirmed that the protest lodged after today’s Japanese grand Prix at Motegi was not personally directed against Swiss rider Thomas Luthi.

The KTM team asked for the capacity of Luthi’s motor to be checked by the technical delegate after the race. Luthi’s motor was found to be in conformity with the regulations.

“The reason for this protest was nothing personal against Thomas Luthi, but as a catalyst to start a discussion on the current rules for when a race is stopped early because of crash,” Bartol said.

“I think the sport needs to clarify this rule, which states that the race result will be declared as per the positions on the previously completed lap.

“The Race Director Paul Butler today has agreed that we need to have this discussion and that will now take place.”

Today’s Japanese GP was red-flagged after 15 laps when Luthi crashed, causing the stoppage. The winner was KTM rider Mika Kallio with Luthi second, his position at the time of the crash.

Bartol says that the rule needs to take into account whether a rider, who is the primary cause of a race to be stopped early, should earn his normal championship points.

“Obviously there could be a situation where the world championship could be decided in favour of a rider, and not just a KTM rider, because of this rule,” Bartol added.

“Perhaps we should have an FIM rule like the world speedway championship where the rider who causes a race stoppage is eliminated from the result, I just want a fair rule that is applied equally for all riders.”

www.ktm.at

More News
  For September 2005
  From KTM-Sportmotorcycles AG
  For 250
  Biker247.com Home Page