After 3 years limited to 800cc the MotoGP class will return in 2012 at the maximum capacity of 1000cc. This was agreed 3 days ago between FIM, Dorna and MSMA. This move hopes to differentiate the premium class from the new Moto2 category and bring the bikes closer to the previous 990cc riding style where bikes were more powerful but could not carry their speed mid corner as well.

The 800cc rule was introduced in order to increase lap times but in reality had quite the opposite effect while forcing the companies to invest huge amount of money in R&D.

This time there will be a limit to 4 cylinders, which eliminates the advantage that Honda RCV211V had previously. Between 2002-7 the rules dictated the same minimum weight for 4 and 5 cylinder bikes (lighter with 3 and heavier with 6 - that none eventually used).

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Dome is one of the most established motorsport related companies in Japan with a long heritage in Japanese and international motorsport. However this post is not competition related but it is a project about improving the fuel efficiency of an already efficient car (Honda Insight) by using advanced aerodynamics and composite materials.

Dome used prepreg CFRP to replace the steel door skins, fenders and roof and also the bumpers. One of the key areas of the project are the CFRP wheels which save about half the weight of the original aluminum ones.

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