FIM MotoGP – the most popular motorcycling championship

MotoGP is the world’s premier motorcycling championship, with a season of 18 Grands Prix in 14 countries. Auto enthusiasts travel from country to country following and cheering their favorite riders. The championship brings together the world’s top motorcycle manufacturers such as Honda, Yamaha, Suzuki, Ducati, Kawasaki, Aprilia and KTM. Riders from around the world take part in the World Championships including the following; Australia, Austria, Czech Republic, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, Republic of Ireland, Romania, San Marino, Spain, Switzerland, Thailand, UK and USA.

The Grand Prix Road-Racing World Championship was first organized by the Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM) in 1949 and has been administrated by commercial rights owners Dorna Sports under the supervision of the FIM since 1992. It is the oldest motorsport World Championship in existence.

Motorcycles used for MotoGP are pure race machines with two-stroke engines. These motorcycles are not allowed to be ridden on public roads. On a Grand Prix weekend there are three individual races, one for each of MotoGP’s three categories: 125, 250 and MotoGP. MotoGP, prior to 2002 was also known as 500 class.

MotoGP began a new era in 2002 when revised regulations allowed bikes with four-stroke engines. For the 2007 season the adaptation of MotoGP bikes from 990cc engine capacity to 800cc resulted in an even more exciting spectacle, with higher corner speeds and even more competitive races – patterns which are continuing this year. Furthermore, in the opening round of 2008, MotoGP become the first motorsports World Championship to host a night-time Grand Prix, with the Losail International Circuit’s state-of-the-art new floodlight system permitting a superb start to the season in Qatar.