Ducati Considering Switch To MotoGP's Open Class In Bid To Move Up Grid

Ducati Racing "is hoping a shock change to its MotoGP program will help take the struggling Italian team back to the front of the field," according to William Dale of FOX SPORTS. Reports suggest that the team is "considering running all of its bikes in MotoGP's 'Open' class instead of as a 'Factory' team." The Open class is "the new designation for the former 'Claiming Rules Team' category, as part of the changes to MotoGP's 2014 regulations." Under the rules, Open bikes "are allowed to use 24 litres of fuel compared to the Factory teams' 20." Another advantage is that Factory teams "are restricted to using just five engines per bike throughout the season and are not allowed to develop them between the start and end of the year." Open teams are allowed to go through 12 and "can upgrade their engines in the quest for performance" (FOX SPORTS, 1/9).