Michael Scott | May 11, 2021
Bike news in the paddock
PILLAR
Too fast? Too close? Or just right?
The whole point of racing, entertainment and hedonism aside, must be to seek and find continuous improvements to advance the development of motorcycle technology.
In other words, go faster.
An ambition that has been achieved again and again over the years, sometimes by leaps and bounds, sometimes with the patient’s progress. But always forward. Regardless of mechanical, electronic and financial stupidities, lap times continue to decrease and top speeds increase. For example, Zarco’s and Ducati’s 225.2 mph record, set in Losail in March, is likely to fall in Mugello in a couple of weeks.
But when does it get too much?
The question is not a light one. Racing in 2021 has raised concerns in a number of areas.
The first turmoil came in the opening laps at Losail with a record-breaking Top-15 in MotoGP (just over 8.9 seconds) and at least one happy escape from the high-speed disaster when Jack Miller and Joan Mir collided twice at high speed. This danger was strongly underlined when Moto3s 20s or more crawled over each other at almost top speed after a rear-end collision. Rodrigo’s brake guard broke off, but luckily it barely did the job. Had he wrapped himself over the handlebars at the front of the crowd, the consequences would have been life-threatening for a number of teenagers who were under voting age.
There was more on the last lap in Jerez.
A number of major accidents have put safety in Jerez in the spotlight.
One aspect was highlighted by Marc Marquez, who crashed into the air fence at turn seven. This is an unusual place for a crash. Only one crash was recorded on two race weekends last year. This year there were five in a single weekend and everyone was violent. One of them sent Vietti’s bike straight over the air fence in the Moto2 warm-up.
They revealed a previously ignorable fact. The barrier is air-fenced, but far too narrow for comfort, which is due to the faster speeds.
Jerez entered the calendar in 1987 and winner Wayne Gardner’s Honda NSR500 lap record was 84.9 mph. In 2021, his son Remy set the Moto2 pole at 98.2 mph. And only in the intermediate class. In MotoGP, Vinales’ new record was 102.4 mph. The motorcycles drive more than 20 percent faster. The drainage areas are the same.
Then Quartararo – deprived of a dominant victory with an arm pump. This was hardly a one-off. Most noticeable is how common this complaint has become. Just this year, after the first races, Jack Miller and Jorge Martin had the operation – a cut through the surrounding fascia membrane. There are scarred forearms from corrective surgery all over the paddock – something like a badge of honor or at least proof that they passed an uncomfortable initiation ceremony.
The arm pump is a temporary problem: Overworked muscles swell in the surrounding fascia membrane, causing pain and weakness that subside after a break of less than 30 minutes. It can be prevented by a simple operation that involves cutting a longitudinal slit in the fascia. However, this (like Quartararo) can heal and requires repetition. Carpal tunnel syndrome, which affects the tendons, is more difficult to treat.
Both were once a rarity. The increasing prevalence is easy to explain. Tires that grip harder and depress the brakes better (currently offer 2G deceleration). This puts a great strain on the arm muscles, which, with today’s sophisticated, advanced driving techniques, combine precise use of the gas with strong braking and steering force at the same time.
These problems are all more or less solvable. Well, not so much the close race. Social distancing will never catch on there.
However, the speeds can be reduced and the tire grip reduced. It’s all a matter of regulation. Maximum permitted power outputs and a manufacturer of control tires obtained from the local budget tire store with a maximum permitted coefficient of friction.
Even easier, because in wet races slower and therefore safer permanent irrigation systems have to be installed on all tracks. Be an extra expense in the Doha desert but then the Qataris don’t mind spending money. I love to do that.
Then there is always the option to add harassment. If not, speed humps too.
But that’s going to be silly. Even dumber than the spectacle of the MotoGP Stewards Panel trying to discourage Moto3 riders from maneuvering for slipstreaming in qualifying. (Talk about herding cats.)
It is better to accept the progress and be happy about it. And to live with the fear that accompanies you on the sofa and watches a tooth-and-nail race.
Because in the end, the race with body size as the last criterion is much safer than it used to be, when it was much slower, but you could count on at least a handful of drivers not making it this year. CN