The MotoGP Safety Commission, a forum for riders and organisers of the World Championship to share their views, concerns and suggestions, will be experiencing an increased presence in 2008.

Although previously open to all MotoGP riders wishing to attend, the premier class competitors at the head of the scheme were principally Valentino Rossi, Loris Capirossi and Kenny Roberts Jr (before the latter's withdrawal from the series in mid-2007). Now in its fifth year of operation the Safety Commission should experience a larger and more varied representation in 2008.

“The form of the commission will not technically change”, said Javier Alonso, Managing Director of MotoGP rights holders Dorna and attendee of Safety Commission meetings. “There are a series of full-time members: Dorna CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta, Claude Danis, Paul Butler and Franco Uncini from the FIM, and myself. In terms of riders, everyone is invited as always.”

“Our objective is to have one rider from each constructor. At the moment we have confirmation from Valentino Rossi (Yamaha), Loris Capirossi (Suzuki), Casey Stoner (Ducati), John Hopkins (Kawasaki) and Dani Pedrosa (Honda).”

MotoGP Safety Commission activities are presently centred around general improvement, rather than focussing on any specific track or issue. Even the subject of a new circuit on the calendar –the Red Bull Indianapolis Grand Prix- raises few concerns at the present time.

“The subject of Indianapolis is fully defined at the moment; the track work is nearly completed so the Safety Commission have little to do in this respect. We'll continue working with the circuits already on the calendar, all the while studying possible new tracks”, added Mr. Alonso.

DORNA / CAPSIS International