Dang...whos next?

http://roadracingworld.com/news/article/?article=35264

Race Team Sources Confirm Kawasaki Withdrawal From MotoGP
Dec 30, 2008, ©Copyright 2008, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Official public announcement expected January 6th, Japan time...
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Kawasaki is pulling out of the FIM MotoGP World Championship for at least the 2009 season and will make the decision public with an official announcement early next week.

That's the word from sources inside the company's MotoGP race team, which is based in Holland.

The team has riders John Hopkins and new signing Marco Melandri under contract for 2009. It is unknown if--and how--Kawasaki's contractual obligations will be handled. But even if the riders are paid the full amount of their Kawasaki contract, they would lose any chance of earning performance bonuses. And if the riders do not find alternative rides and thus do not participate in the 2009 MotoGP World Championship Series, they could also lose sponsorship fees paid by personal sponsors, such as leather and helmet companies.

Contracted crew members have already been offered buy-outs.

It is unknown how sponsor Monster Energy, which contracted Kawasaki to field a team carrying Monster logos, will react.

Kawasaki worldwide profits have taken a hit due to dramatically reduced consumer spending as well as an increase in the value of the yen compared to the currencies used in export markets where Kawasaki products are sold.

More information will be posted when it becomes available.

 

i am pretty sure Kane is next to get the axe

 

im pretty sure Kane's budget is a tad less than their Moto GP team... thinkin he might slide on thru...

 

Honda pulled out factory sponsorship in AMA and Formula 1, also. Formula 1 is BIG business......that's the biggest shocker to me.

 

 

hey i at least included the link with article.

 

Man that sucks.. ****** economy man

 

its also easy for them to buy out his little contract. just imagine what the buyout is on some of these guys contracts

 

the contracts are big for the kawi moto gp racers, but nothing close to ammount of money they have to put into entire race team salarys, testing, parts, engineering, etc.

cha ching

this will hurt the old school race on sunday, sell on monday theory!

 

wow thats crazy to hear...

 

but where does the cutting end