Photo courtesy of MotoGp.com
MotoGp fans have been foaming at the mouth (especially Australian ones) since it became known that Casey Stoner would put in a number of appearances in the second half of this year doing some testing for Repsol Honda on their 2014 bike. Could this herald a return to active competition by a rider who, by everyone’s agreement, left the sport too early and could easily be competitive again given the right bike?
In short, no, it won’t. Despite completing a day and a half of testing at Motegi (the first day was curtailed due to rain) and despite enjoying himself immensely being back in the saddle, Stoner has ruled out a return to racing, not even as a “wildcard” at selected events.
Now I, for one, aren’t the least bit surprised for all sorts of reasons. Firstly, such a scenario would require Honda to provide a third bike for their “works” team at massive expense. I make no claim to being an expert on the convoluted rules of the FIM and DORNA, but my cursory knowledge leads me to believe that Honda would simply not be allowed to do so given the restrictions placed on “factory” teams. So, at best it would have to be a “works” bike entered privately, and I am not even sure that this would be allowed. Throw in the difficulties about engine allocations and it starts to look like a scenario that can only really happen in the press room.
But there are some other difficulties as well. Secondly, I wonder how Stoner’s present employers, Triple Eight Racing would view his skiving off to race bikes in some selected GPs when he is a contracted driver to them. There must surely be some insurance issues and contractural difficulties here that would need some clarification.
Thirdly, nothing has changed about GP racing since Stoner left to indicate that he would be any happier there now than he was when he was racing full-time.
And, fourthly, and this is the biggie. I cannot conceive how HRC would be happy to have Stoner racing in the “works” team or even in a factory-supported team when he would potentially be taking valuable points from their contracted riders. Let’s face it, it has only be 9 months since he raced last. he’s still got it, how would it work if he won some races at the expense of Pedrosa or Marquez, or even just finished in front of them?
I think Casey is happy to play, but don’t expect to see him back in MotoGp, even as a wildcard, it simply isn’t going to happen.
The latest issue of Motopod is out and it includes a very nice interview that I was able to secure with Chris Vermeulen a couple of weeks ago. Worth a listen.
MotoPod, the internet radio broadcast all about motorcycle road racing.
Finally, how about this creation?