Kawasaki Withdraws From MotoGP To Cut Spending Amid Recession

Kawasaki Will Continue Supporting Race-Oriented Customers Despite Withdrawal

Kawasaki has "pulled out of the MotoGP world championship as part of the company's efforts to cut spending amid the global financial crisis," becoming Japan's "latest motorsport casualty" following Honda's withdrawal from F1 and the departure of Suzuki and Subaru from the FIA World Rally Championship, according to the Manchester GUARDIAN. A Kawasaki spokesperson said, "We took the final decision not to continue in MotoGP yesterday. It is something we have been considering since mid-December. In the current economic climate and unless the situation improves it is difficult to say if we will return." Kawasaki had competed in MotoGP since the '03 season with annual costs of around US$43.8M (GUARDIAN.co.uk, 1/9). The London TELEGRAPH notes Kawasaki ended a "week of speculation over their future by confirming their withdrawal in a press release" Friday. Kawasaki said in the statement, "In a quick-changing business environment, Kawasaki has been promptly taking countermeasures to cope with the situation. As the world economy is not likely to recover in a short period due to the major impact of the financial crisis, Kawasaki decided to suspend its MotoGP racing activities from 2009 season onward and reallocate management resources more efficiently. ... Kawasaki will continue racing activities using mass-produced motorcycles as well as supporting general race-oriented customers" (TELEGRAPH.co.uk, 1/9).