Re: FONSI, WSBK, KTM and all kinds o\' bombshells...!!!
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south said:
The new Proton chassis is constructed of specially machined alloy pieces instead of the cast components of a "traditional" motorcycle chassis, and apparently incorporates F1 design and construction elements (courtesy of John Barnard, formerly of McLaren and Ferrari). I'm thinking there's a long way to go between possessing "a" chassis and fielding a legitimate MotoGP team.
Obviously, they'd need a spare bike--i.e. at least one more chassis--and, therefore, the ability to duplicate the chassis they already have.
They may not be set up for the specialized manufacturing process.
KR's website lists that the chassis is built by GP Motorsports (don't know exactly who they are), and, should KTM want to enlist their services, there may be some exclusivity contract in place between KR and GP Motorsports.
Regardless of how KTM were to go about actually building a duplicate chassis, there may be "intellectual property" issues with the chassis design, construction technique, and materials--i.e. while KR gave them a chassis to "do whatever they want to" with it, Team KR may still own rights--such as intellectual property rights--to the design, construction, and materials of the chassis, which would prevent KTM from legally duplicating it without permission/license.
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exactly what i was thinking. I have to imagine there are rules set up regarding the flow of designs from one "factory" to another, within the same class. I also could not believe that Team KR, who funded the design and fabricating with PROTON money would be allowed to then "hand it over" to KTM, all because they let them test an engine a few times. Some serious money has to be changing hands a few times over for this kind of thing to work. Regardless, I would prefer team KR get sponsorship and KTM enter the series as an engine builder ala BMW-Williams - as S1 has previously put forth. If Kenny can get good tires and the bike really can run with the big dogs, I'd imagine he could get some sort of sponsorship. Maybe an American beer company? One that does alot of sales inside and outside of the U.S.A., like Budweiser.
