Blata WCM V6

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Blata and WCM intend to race the all-new Blata V6 at the Spanish Grand Prix in Jerez on April tenth, the opening round of the MotoGP World Championship.

Though there is still a good deal of work to be done in the intervening eight weeks the plan is to have two bikes available so that both Franco Battaini and James Ellison will use the Blata V6. “The whole project is continuing in accordance with the plan that was implemented in August,” confirms Pavel Blata. “ We are going to use two prototypes in the first race in Jerez , in Spain .”

Since the 5-year agreement between Blata and WCM was made last year and the project began in earnest in August a great deal has been accomplished. The WCM team has contributed a great deal of its hard won experience but the engineering effort is Blata's.

“At this moment all analyses and calculation studies (for example strength and durability of the cases etc., calculation of the weight distribution of motorcycle, gear analysis, analysis of the frame) have been completed. More then 60 % of the parts are produced in our companies,” continued Blata.

The Czech engineer also explained that while initial design and prototype production takes time from here the process moves more quickly. “Those tools for production which took us more time to design and manufacture are finished.”

“The effort and commitment Blata are investing in the project is tremendously impressive,” comments WCM Director of Racing Peter Clifford. “They have taken a very basic initial concept and developed into something that is very exciting. The initial progress may well have looked slow from the outside but Blata's determination to do it right will certainly pay off in the medium and long term.”

Now that the engine manufacture is proceeding at a good pace the first bench tests have now been scheduled. “At the beginning of March, tests are planned for 10th March,” confirms Blata.

The rolling chassis is well ahead of that as Blata reveals, “The motorcycle will be completed by the 25 th February, when we will then use the rolling chassis to develop the design of the aerodynamic package.”

Pavel Blata agrees that it has all come a long way from what was an artist's impression at Brno last year. “The first designs of the BLATA V6 MotoGP were introduced in August 2004 at the Brno , Czech Republic . Some changes have since been made to the original design. The biggest change is to the frame (which will be based on the Delta box type), Including the rear swing arm, which will be made from aluminium sheet and will have milled sections and the design of the fairing is also different.”