As MotoGP bikes can reach top speeds of more than 340 km/h,
taking every step to protect the riders’ safety is of paramount
importance to everyone involved with motorcycle racing’s premier
competition.
In 2002, the FIM became concerned at the advances in design and engineering that resulted in higher speeds around the race track. For purposes of increasing safety, regulation changes related to weight, limits on fuel and engine capacity were introduced.
GRAND PRIX SAFETY COMMISSION
The FIM (see Governing Bodies section) created the Grand Prix
Safety Commission in 2003 following the tragic death of Daijiro Kato at
Suzuka in April of that year, to work on improving the safety at each
World Championship circuit.
The original committee included Kato’s former team-mate Sete
Gibernau and fellow Japanese rider Nobuatsu Aoki, while the current
incarnation includes MotoGP riders Valentino Rossi, Casey Stoner and
Dani Pedrosa, in addition to Claude Danis (FIM Safety officer), Franco
Uncini (Head of the IRTA Safety Commission), Javier Alonso and Carmelo
Ezpeleta (of MotoGP organizers Dorna).
At each Grand Prix, the Safety Commission meet to consider
proposals on any changes that could be made at the respective circuits
to improve safety. Their recommendations can include adaptations to
track layout, changes to asphalt extension zones, enlarging gravel
run-offs, alterations to safety barriers and tyre walls, the improvement
of medical facilities and accessibility, and similar additional safety
measures.
The day before each Grand Prix the IRTA Safety Commission
represented by Franco Uncini, and Claude Danis of the FIM Safety
Commission check every inch of the respective circuit on foot, before
rechecking it each morning of the Grand Prix weekend by car - ahead of
the relevant practice sessions or races.
Safety officers Uncini and Danis then follow all the free
practices, qualifying sessions and races at trackside, via television
monitors in the Race Control Centre, in their roles as members of the
Race Direction - the body which oversees the marshalling of each race
and can impose penalties varying from a warning to suspension or
exclusion if specific safety rules are violated (See Key Rules section).
SAFETY CAR
The start of each race, meanwhile, is monitored closely by the Official Safety Car, supplied by official MotoGP partner BMW.
The Safety Car leads the riders on the sighting lap, during which
the Safety Car driver inspects the state of the track one final time
before the race commences, checking that it is clear of oil, fuel or
other debris and is in constant communication with Race Direction should
anything require their attention.
Once the sighting lap is complete the Safety Car takes its place
at the back of the grid and follows the riders round on the first lap of
the race, closely observing the scene ahead, as it is on lap one when
closely grouped riders are logically most likely to collide with each
other. When a multiple crash occurred on the first lap at the 2006 Grand
Prix of Catalunya for example, the Safety Car was on hand to provide
immediate assistance and instructions, reporting from the ground at
close quarters.
Once the first lap has been completed the Safety Car will only
reappear if there is an interruption to the race caused by a crash or
rain, in which case the riders will also see the relevant safety signals
around the circuit (see Flags and Light section). The riders are also
aware that if they see the Safety Car on track other than on lap one
they must proceed with caution and not overtake.
SPECIFIC SAFETY RULES
In addition, there are some specific rules which direct team
members and riders in order to ensure their safety - and the safety of
their fellow competitors:
- - Riders must ride in a responsible manner which does not cause danger to other competitors or participants, either on the track or in the pit-lane.
- - If the rider encounters a problem with his bike, which will result in his retirement from the practice or the race, then he should not attempt to tour at reduced speed to the pits but should pull off the track and park his machine in a safe place as indicated by the marshals. Stopping on the track during practices and races is forbidden.
- - Riders must not ride or push their motorcycles in the opposite direction of the race on the circuit - whether on the track or in the pit lane - unless doing so under the direction of an official.
- - A speed limit of 60 km/h is enforced in the pit lane at all times and any rider who exceeds the pit lane speed limit during a race will be penalised with a ride through (see Key Rules section).
- - The maximum number of team personnel per rider in the working area in front of the pits is limited to eight for MotoGP and six for Moto2 and Moto3.
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