A good article from Noyes, although I would say WSBK is more like the good ol' days of the late 90's in WSBK than MotoGp a few years ago. Huge grids, a couple of favorites but lots of potential spoilers in the field.
But the article was about MotoGP and I agree with him regarding the electronics. I suppose it all comes down to whether MotoGP should be a test bed for future production technologies or not. Traction Control certainly has streetbike applications, but GPS-monitored systems do not.
Pneumatic valves are useless as a practical design in a streetbike, and few care about fuel mileage on a super sports bike that would be potentially derived from the technology we see today. CF clutches and electronic suspension would be prohibitively expensive as well. For that matter, carbon brakes will also never be in a showroom although ceramic discs might be someday however, they are already on high-end sportscars.
So the goal should be to make the rules in-line with the stated goals of the series: to test new technologies for future production use in a prototype setting. This is not a contradiction, but rather a guide to eleminating the useless invisible technologies and promoting rules that encourage participation.
Perhaps the biggest of these would be to make the allowable engine big enough and provide enough tank capacity so that getting adequate horsepower is relatively easy. By adequate I mean more than enough. 990cc, or perhaps some other displacement close to that would do it. 230 hp should be attainable for any knowledgable designer. Definitely increase the tank size, perhaps to 25L, this is key. Tire sizes would also mimic street sizes, perhaps 17" standard rim and 200 maximum width for the slicks. Mechanical closing of valves (this includes springs but not gas). A mechanical linkage would connect the throttle to the butterflies.
The number of cylinders would be unlimited, but weights would be adjusted. The five-cylinder would have a weight penalty over a four-cylinder unlike the previous 990cc era.
Even if TC is included, make it somewhat rudimentary. Maybe a standard "add-on" system that the teams would use. It's design frozen for at least two years.
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