21st February 2005

In the recently concluded 2005 FIM Conference Meeting in Geneva, the Federation Internationale de Motocyclisme - international federation for promotion of two and three wheeler motorsports in the world decided to concentrate in the next years, the development of motorcycle and motorcycling sport in India besides China, South East Asia, Africa and Latin America.

The 2005 FIM Conference Meetings took place from 18 to 20 February, at the Crowne Plaza Hotel near Geneva Airport. The Management Council convened on Friday 18 - the very first meeting of the second FIM Centenary - and today. The main decisions taken by the Council are the following:

- One of the most important concerns of the Management Council regards the safety of the participants in motorcycling competitions. Cross-Country Rallies in particular require a special attention from the FIM and its Enduro & Cross-Country Rallies Commission. The Council recommended to the Commission to take all the necessary adequate measures in order to improve significantly the security level of these competitions, on the sporting as well as the technical side.

- Development of motorcycle and motorcycling sport will be particularly concentrated in the next years in China, India, South-East Asia, Africa and Latin America. It is the task of the FIM and its respective Continental Unions to concentrate its efforts and its resources in order to contribute in a decisive manner to this development.

- A working group, chaired by FIM President Francesco Zerbi will be formed in order to revise the FIM Statutes, eliminate the possible contradictions and clarify the procedures.

- The 2005 Sidecar World Championship (CCR) is confirmed, as the conditions required by the FIM from the promoter (Superside) have been fulfilled: calendar with 8 rounds (see below) and a bank guarantee provided.

- The sound measuring method, mainly for 4-stroke engines in off road (Motocross, Trial, Enduro), must be studied again in depth by the Technical Panel, with a close collaboration of the manufacturers (MSMA), in order to lower the sound level of the competition machines in these disciplines.

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