The former Italian motorcycle racer, nicknamed “Capirex”, will draw upon his extensive experience of MotoGP racing. Over a 22-year career, the likeable Italian competed in 328 races and won 3 world championship titles.

BMW – Official Cars of MotoGP

BMW doesn’t just provide safety cars to the MotoGP series. BMW and BMW M cars are also provided for use by Dorna Sport’s management team, including a BMW X5 M for the Safety Officer, a BMW ActiveHybrid X6 for the stewards and a BMW 535i Touring as the Medical Car.

Furthermore, a BMW S 1000 RR and a BMW HP2 Sport are used as safety bikes, whilst BMW X5s are used for the service road tours, starting in the VIP Village.

The BMW Z8 was the first ever BMW used as a MotoGP safety car, appearing in 2001, before the role of “Official Car of MotoGP” shifted to BMW M GmbH from 2006.

“To ensure maximum reliability, it is essential for the safety car to function perfectly even under the most difficult racing conditions. The high-performance cars from BMW M meet exactly all the demands that are placed on safety cars on the racetrack, “said Loris Capirossi.

The successful partnership between BMW and Dorna Sports, the promoters of the MotoGP World Championship, stretches back to 1999, whilst BMW M has provided the official safety car since 2006.

The car maker also presents the BMW M Award at the end of each season for the rider with the most success in qualifying. Last year, Casey Stoner won a 1 Series M Coupe, whilst for 2012 a Frozen Silver Metallic M3 Coupe Competition Edition will be awarded at a special M Night in Valencia, Spain.

The new M5, which was introduced at last year’s US Grand Prix at Indianapolis, currently shares the safety car role with the 1 Series M Coupe. Both have been ‘optimised’ for use on the race track and to maintain sufficient pace to lead a 230mph MotoGP racing field (obviously at a reduced pace).

A whole host of measures were implemented to prepare the car for its special outing as a Safety Car. A significantly larger, Gurney-style rear spoiler and a front lip spoiler produce the downforce, whilst the BMW M5 Safety Car features a special racing chassis with adjustable traction control, while a racing exhaust and bucket seat round off the Safety Car version.

The 1 Series M Coupe will be replaced from the middle of this year with the new BMW M6 Coupé, which will serve interchangeably with the M5.

Honda: We’d like you to endorse our sporty hybrid coupe, the CR-Z, by adding its logo to your leathers

Casey: Why?

Honda: It’s in your contract

Casey: Oh, ok.

But let’s not be too cynical, we get a set of neat photos showing Stoner, Pedrosa and Dovizioso posing awkwardly next to a plain white CR-Z. Couldn’t Honda have found the Mugen CR-Z Prototype that was shown at Goodwood’s Moving Motor Show a few weeks ago? Now that’s the kind of CR-Z we could see driven by a HRC rider.

According to Tom Gardner, General Manager of Cars Honda Motor Europe, “CR-Z has been designed as the first sporty hybrid coupe to dispel the myths that hybrids are not fun to drive. The CR-Z has a 3-mode drive system, providing an entertaining driving experience combined with low emissions. Being part of MotoGP this season further helps emphasise the message that the CR-Z is fun to drive, and will raise awareness of the car to a wider audience”.

Gallery

Now Jorge Lorenzo has added further fuel to the controversy saying that his initial plan is to stay with the Japanese manufacturer, but hinted that he “can’t guarantee anything” for the future. Lorenzo was runner up to Rossi in the 2009 Moto GP championship, pushing Rossi hard throughout the season. Rossi recorded the fewest number of wins he has ever recorded in a title season, achieving six victories during 2009, just two more than Jorge and Casey Stoner.

The Spaniard who attended a recent press engagement in Barcelona, said that he sees his future – as least as far as the 2011 season is concerned – with Yamaha but couldn’t put his finger on anything just yet. Despite his most successful season in Moto GP, attempts to sign a contract with Yamaha beyond 2010 were unsuccessful with both Lorenzo and Rossi’s contracts running out at the end of next year.

Rossi has publicly asked Yamaha to take their pick for the 2011 season, or else there are other teams (i.e. Ducati) that would be happy to sign him. We expect this story to boil over during 2010, especially if Stoner, Lorenzo and Pedrosa push Rossi as hard as they did in 2009.

Then of course World Superbike champion Ben Spies joins the satellite Tech 3 Yamaha team next year and he’s already shown how quickly he can adapt from his performance in the final race of the season in Valencia.

With Honda’s Dani Pedrosa also reaching the end of his current contract in 2010, Lorenzo might also have a few more options to choose from himself in 2011.