FIM and TTXGP on the splits ...?

See: FIM launching the E-Power electric motorcycle racing series, without TTXGP

Basically the story so far had been that TTXGP is launching an electric motorcycle road racing series. They were working with FIM to get rules set up. They held a race last year, and they have a list of races set up for 2010. They have teams lined up, etc.

But FIM decided to launch their own race series and all the earlier statements of cooperation are now gone.

How the FIM stole electric motorcycle racing suggests that FIM "stole" electric motorcycle racing from TTXGP. TTXGP did the hard work of developing everything and FIM is essentially saying "thank you very much" and running with TTXGP's ball.

http://www.asphaltandrubber.com/oped/thankful-for-the-fim-split-fro-ttxgp/ has a different take - suggesting that between TTXGP and Mavizen, that Azhar Hussain has an obvious conflict of interest and that perhaps FIM didn't trust TTXGP because of that conflict.

I've been talking with Azhar for a long time about this - he's clear that Mavizen exists so that teams can more quickly get to racing and not as an attempt to quash other providers of electric superbikes. For that matter there is clearly other providers - Mission Motors and Lightning Motors both have tested bikes at the Bonneville Salt Flats this year and both intend to be selling superbikes to the public either in 2010 or 2011. CRP Racing also announced last year they would be selling electric superbikes, specifically for TTXGP racing. It's not like Mavizen has anything locked up.

I'm writing an article up right now...