Looking to the Future

The checkered flag at Rio de Janeiro on Saturday, November 3, marks theend of the last race of a record-breaking 500cc season. It also marks theend of the 500cc era. The half-liter capacity has been the yardstick for the premier classsince soon after the dawn of motorcycle racing - long before thefoundation of the current World Championship series in 1949.

From the first race of next year, it will be different. The premier classwill be open also to four-strokes of up to 990cc capacity. The groundrules are changed. So what does this hold for the future of our sport?

When asked about the option of creating a four-stroke for racing in the future, Kenny Roberts said, "We could do better overall with a four-stroke, I think - we couldprobably make a good little three-cylinder. Though you never know untilyou come to race it."

So what do you, dear reader, expect in the next few years dur to the introduction of four-strokes in GP racing?