With the global financial meltdown about to give MotoGP a firm kick squarely in the pods, could a full grid of customer teams ease the pressure on Japanese manufacturers? If, a la the late 60s, all the factory teams were to be removed and replaced by independently-supported squads with some factory backing, would it be such a bad thing?

Of course, last year's top 12 riders, Ducatis aside,  would have to be assured seats in whichever teams were to come to light but having six Hondas, six Yamahas, three Kawasakis, three Suzukis and six Ducatis, all running bhp-capped engines, spec-suspension on spec-tyres could be the way forward.

Customer teams would be allowed to buy two bikes per rider plus a spares package and included in the price comes one factory technican per rider. This way, there is no pressure on manufacturers to spend squillions of quid on racing and MotoGP still gets a full grid of bikes and riders.

All manufacturers' bikes and packages would be the same price and doled out on a first come, first served basis with each manufacturer only allowed to sell eight bikes in an effort to stop the series becoming a one-make championship.

It is then down to the individual teams to gather sponsorship in order to cover the costs of racing day-to-day and to pay rider and team wages. It's not a new idea and the likes of Herve Poncharal seem to cope quite well with the concept currently, although it's a bit more restrictive.

Of course, Ducati might squeak a bit because they're perfectly happy to spend money on racing as they take a different approach to the whole thing - but better some premier-class racing than no racing at all.