Our Moto2 Team Might Actually Happen

A couple of days ago, we investigated the feasibility of starting our own TwitGP Moto2 team. Even though it was all a bit of a lark, it soon became apparent that our followers thought it was an amazing idea to chip in and fund the team on a collective basis. In fact, some very well-heeled followers really believed in the spirit of the project and were keen to stump up several pieces of cash to REALLY MAKE THIS HAPPEN.


We got so excited that we asked @TwitGPpr to break off from her "vital" shoe shopping and send an email to IRTA, the Irish Racehorse Trainers Association. They couldn't help, so then we made her send an email to IRTA, the International Road Racing Teams Association. They're the people that ACTUALLY look after the teams and riders and organise Moto2 in real life.

And guess what. THEY REPLIED. Here's the proof:

The reply came from the very top: Mike Trimby, the SECRETARY GENERAL of IRTA (our understanding is he took over from Kofi Annan). We love it when our virtual world interacts with the actual world like this. By the way, the two best things about Mike Trimby are: (i) he's been instrumental in making motorcycle racing much, much safer, and therefore we are all forever in his debt, and (ii) he used to make paddock passes for riders back in the day on his kitchen table with help from his missus. Quality.

Anyway, the documents he sent were full of amazing, juicy facts about prize money, costs, subsidies and slipper clutches. Here's what they look like:

Given you're all potential team members, it's only fair we share some of these juicy facts with you. So, here they are:

1) "It is the intention of IRTA and Dorna, for logisitical reasons, to try to reduce the contracted entry in this class to 36." OH NO, WE MIGHT NOT GET ACCEPTED...

2) "However...we are anticipating being able to accept a limited number of entries from new teams". PHEW.

3) "Teams are required to be a member of IRTA. The 2010 membership fee was €5,120 per team, plus €3,980 per rider, which includes mandatory accidental injury insurance for the rider." NOT CLEAR WHICH "IRTA" WE HAVE TO BE MEMBERS OF - TWITGPPR IS CHECKING WITH THE HORSE PEOPLE.

4) "IRTA will deliver an FIM Grand Prix Licence for each rider. The 2010 cost was €502 each." SO FAR WE HAVE NO RIDERS SO WE CAN MAKE A BIG SAVING HERE.

5) "The cost of using the official engine in 2010 was €56,000...It is mandatory to carry a sticker 'Powered by Honda'." WE'LL NICK THE STICKER OFF ONE OF OUR DAD'S MOWERS.

6) "Slipper clutches manufactured by Suter are supplied free of charge." WOOHOO! FREE CLUTCHES FOR EVERYONE!

7) "Every team must conclude a contract with Dunlop for tyre supply. The 2010 cost was €40,000." HMM. @CAMBRIANTYRES WILL PROBABLY SORT US OUT A BIT CHEAPER THAN THAT.

8) "Fuel and oil is provided by ENI at no cost." WOOHOO! FREE FUEL FOR EVERYONE AS WELL AS THE CLUTCHES!

9) "All applications from new teams should be accompanied by full information on the team including ...the infrastructure and should be sent in by latest 28th September". WELL, SHALL WE? OUR INFRASTRUCTURE INCLUDES GREENKEEPERS AND CHICKEN FARMERS, THEY CAN'T ACCUSE US OF NOT BEING THOROUGHLY PREPARED.

We should probably all have a meeting now. Bring your cheque books.