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A TURBULENT winter for motorsport has resulted in casualty rates becoming ever closer to an Accident & Emergency (A&E) department at a local hospital.
Motorcycle giant Kawasaki's decision to withdraw from Grand-Prix motorcycle racing (Moto GP) is the fourth major exit by a leading manufacturer involved in motorsport, following Honda in Formula One and Subaru and Suzuki in the World Rally Championship (WRC) last month (December).
The Japanese constructor apparently pulled out because of the global economic crisis and could not afford to pay annual costs of £28.8m which is invested in their Moto GP team.
Kawasaki boss Katsuhiro Sato told BBC Sport, "We took the final decision not to continue in Moto GP.
"In the current economic climate and unless the situation improves it is difficult to say if we will return."
Departure from the sport by Kawasaki continues to signal challenging times for works manufacturers.
Although it is unclear whether motorsport's fellow biggest competitors will follow the precedent set by Japan's biggest names, there appears to be cataclysmic shockwaves reverberating around paddocks across the world.
Despite some media figures including motorsport magazine, F1 Racing, dismissing the idea that major championships including Formula One will suffer intensely from departures by Honda et al - instead encouraging greater numbers of independent teams to compete in motorsport, therefore a benefit to fans due to an increased number of teams - there is an air of uncertainty as to whether motorsport will be able to achieve substantial audiences.
It is fine being able to enter independent teams with lower-budget aerodynamic chassis' and a cost-cutting smaller workforce (i.e. Minardi F1, Force India F1) in an independent class to help try to attract fans.
But departures from such high-profile outfits including Kawasaki, Honda, Subaru and Suzuki leaves a gaping hole in competition and supreme driver and team talent.
Although Kawasaki rider Marco Melandri - who finished runner-up to last season's Moto GP championship winner, Valentino Rossi - will most certainly be able to find another drive, will American John Hopkins be able to find suitors so easy to come by?
And it is not only personnel who will find the pull-outs sharp, but fans will not be content to see a proposed, greater number of independent teams involved in motorsport amidst a global economic crisis and cost-cutting measures for the sake of global climate change.
Fans will not be satisfied to see lower-rank, inefficient cars and motorcycles scrap for points in the wake of sacrificing cutting-edge performance engines, chassis' and driver skill in all motorsport.
For instance will figures including John Hopkins, Henning Solberg and Giancarlo Fisichella be able to fly the entertainment, high-profile flag for lesser-ranked teams if major players continue to pull-out?
This is not to say leading manufacturers in motorsport including Ferrari, Mitsubishi and Ducati will as yet feel the same impact the Japanese car market has done. But will sports looking to cost cut be able to provide fans with sufficient entertainment with inferior teams and drivers in their midst?
Whilst private financial race sponsorship and team sponsorship will not be relinquished in the short-term towards major motorsport manufacturers, if teams continue to suffer in the same vain at the moment, motorsport could see greater numbers of inferior teams involved.
Although this would in some respects allow greater competition and similar team ability and performance and enhanced overtaking opportunities, will it rivet fans used to seeing their major global heroes including Lewis Hamilton, Sebastien Loeb and Casey Stoner possibly end up turning out for markedly inferior teams because of global economic implications?
Maybe these predictions are wide of the mark and unfounded. But the sign of the times aren't good for motorsport.
I have a motorcycle Honda and I always attach to it my tank bags because I never feel as safe as in the car while riding the motor. Be careful with that Kawasaki of yours, because it has a powerful engine.