KTM out of Dakar Rally

[Lutin]

Apparently, KTM have pulled out of future Dakar Rallies after the introduction of an engine capacity cap. Full story from visordown.com -

KTM quits Dakar Rally - Visordown Motorcycle news : Racing news

[Lumiya]

It was the introduction of the 660 limit that dropped the AT's and XTZ's (YZE's) out of the race some years back..

[Lutin]

It was the introduction of the 660 limit that dropped the AT's and XTZ's (YZE's) out of the race some years back..

Which probably means that a different manufacturer will now dominate the event. Wonder who that's going to be??

[russh]

Which probably means that a different manufacturer will now dominate the event. Wonder who that's going to be??

BMW G450X


Umm, I dunno

[Buggles]

A real shame that they're out,

It's a bit childish to change the engine specs so the leading manufacturer can't compete anymore...

My money is on Yamaha for the next season, but I'll still lust after the KTM

JB

[Critch]

I think KTM should come back with a kick ass 450cc

[raymo]

d1ckheads

anyway how can they still call it the Dakar.. when its in South America

I am sure there is an EU directive on product description.. ohh forgot the French Ignore them

[j]

Just look at what FRETIGNE (FRA)did last year on his Yamaha 450 he came third overall and he run out of oil on one of his engines.



could this mean lighter bikes more trick terrain?

[Jenna]

the cc drop was part of the reduced top speed package they put in place back in 2006 however its stupid (bit like the management at ASO) as you dont build a 200kg bike with a 450 engine... you bild a 145kg bike with a 450 engine and still goes just as fast... dohhh

full press release from yesterday....

“Rally Dakar” – KTM withdraws!
The limiting of motorcycles with a displacement of 450 cc forces the long term dominator of the Dakar Rally to withdraw.

Following the announcement at a press conference on June 4, 2009 of the French “ASO” - the organisers of the “South American Dakar“ that from 2010, only motorcycles with a maximum displacement of 450 cc will be permitted to compete, KTM, after eight consecutive victories, has decided to immediately accept the consequences and announces its withdrawal from the “Dakar”.

The company will no longer be represented at the rally in South America either with an official factory team or a KTM-supported team. At the same time, KTM underlines that the company remains committed to rally sport and will now concentrate its efforts on the world championship and other important rallies.

The organiser’s short term change to the rules, designed to end the dominance of KTM, and which comes without any advance warning, hits the KTM factory hard. Today, just six months before the start – and at a time when not only the factory team but also dozens of private teams are deep in preparations for this extremely complex rally, the immediate withdrawal of the worldwide market leader of offroad sports motorcycle is the only possible consequence.

“Every sport regulation needs changes and adjustments to new developments to retain an interest in it, but this also require the appropriate lead times. We have the entire material for the 690 Rally motorcycles for our factory team as well as that for 50 customers’ motorcycles in our storage facility ready to be constructed in June. Riders’ contracts have been finalised and all the team members have been engaged. The financial consequences that results from this decision are enormous. Quite apart from this, we are shocked by the organiser’s lack of loyalty, above all because of the huge efforts we made following the cancellation of the Dakar in 2008 by contributing to the new edition - even during a period of extreme economic crisis,” said KTM Motor Sport Advisor and “Rally Legend” Heinz Kinigadner in a first statement.

Following the decision for the deployment of 450cc motorcycles, which are unthinkably unsuitable for use in long distance rallies, KTM can no longer economically justify a commitment to be engaged in the Dakar in the future. KTM Motor Sport Director Winfried Kerschhaggl: “Rally sport serves to prove the efficiency and stability of our large volume series single cylinder. There is no question that we will remain active in rally sport! Having said that, for KTM, the rally in South America is now history. We will now fully concentrate on the Rally World Championship and we will seek out alternatives. Maybe we will soon again see full KTM Rally engagement on African soil – back to the roots!”

With its commitment to rally sports, KTM naturally takes the obligations to its long term worldwide customers seriously because it is they who have decided to put their trust in the products and in the unique service of the Austrian company for rally sport by choosing KTM motorcycles

[boboneleg]

Bugger !! I was just kitting out me 950 as well