MotoGP is the pinnacle of motorcycle racing with the world’s top riders racing 800cc prototype machines at leading venues around the world. In 2008 MotoGP celebrates its 60th year as an FIM sactioned series.

Grand Prix racing was first introduced in 1949, when the sport’s governing body created a championship for 500cc, 350cc, 250cc, 125cc, 50cc and sidecar machines. Over the years the 350cc, 50cc and sidecar classes have been dropped, with others modified slightly to reflect changes in technology.

From the mid 1970s Grand Prix racing was predominantly a breeding ground for two-strokes, which offered a higher specific output than even the most technically advanced four-stroke engines. The main change came in 2002, when the 500cc class was replaced by MotoGP – a formula that allowed the factories to enter four-stroke machines with capacity up to 990cc. This move rejuvenated the class, allowing manufacturers to showcase and develop technology more relevant to the machines they sell for public road use. The new format also offered a technologically-fascinating series, with all four Japanese manufacturers and Italian company Ducati entering the championship with various different engine configurations – Yamaha and Kawasaki using in-line four-cylinder units, Ducati and Suzuki opting for V4s and Honda entering a V5. For 2007, the maximum engine capacity regulations were changed, when the 2006 limit of 990cc was reduced to 800cc (unlimited cylinders for 2008) – offering further scope for cutting edge development in engine and chassis design, as well as exploring the fast-growing possibilities of electronics.

There have also been rule changes regarding the maximum fuel capacity, which has been reduced from 22 litres to 21 as officials look to further reduce power output of the new machines in the interest of safety. Meanwhile, modified tyre rules should level the playing field for the leading rubber suppliers, who will be limited to 40 slick tyres (18 front and 22 rear) per Grand Prix weekend.

As well as changing life for the engineers in the pit box, the new machines also represent a fresh challenge for the riders on the track, with the lighter and less powerful machines demanding much higher corner speeds and a precise racing line around the circuit. That should make the transition a little smoother for upcoming 250cc riders, who will have developed that very style on the smaller machines.

Whilst the earliest championships took place over six rounds in Europe, modern day MotoGP, promoted by Spanish company Dorna, is a truly global show and in 2008 will feature 18 races across four continents; visiting the USA twice for the first time with the historic inauguration of MotoGP at Indianapolis. The circuits themselves have also evolved, from long and often dangerous road circuits to state of the art short circuits offering first class facilities for fans and competitors alike.

The MotoGP World Championship takes place between March and October with starting grid positions for each race decided by one 60-minute qualifying session. Each MotoGP race lasts around 45 minutes (approximately 30 laps of a 4km circuit) and is watched by a global television audience in excess of 320 million people. Riders compete for championship points, with the rider gaining the most points declared world champion at the end of the season. Each race offers 25 points for the winner, 20 for second and 16 for third, going down to a single point for 15th position.