The mechanics of MotoGP
What can be better than driving a car? The answer is simple - a motorbike. The pleasure of riding a bike is unique, better in many measures if compared to a car. Just think about it. The wind flowing through your hair, and the music from a 1000cc engine
coming from under your pants that causes your adrenaline levels to shoot through the roof or would you rather sit in a cocoon made of metal? Which experience would you go for? Anyone who is a proper “motor head” would choose the one that gives the most thrills.
Sure one can argue that driving a sports car can give the same thrills, but it’s just not the same. These arguments apply to racing bikes in events such as MotoGP as well.
MOTO GP: A brief history
MotoGP is an annual tradition which dates back to late 1940’s - 1949 to be exact. It is the oldest motorsport in the world with at least 60 years of experience under its belt. The races screeched to a halt for a while due to World War II, and had some trouble
starting again because fuel for the bikes was hard to find. Although later on, as you can see on TV, these races have turned out into a booming success.
In the beginning, MotoGP races were divided into four basic classes. Each class was based on the size of the engine of the vehicle starting from the 500cc, 350cc, 250cc and the cut coming at the 125cc. The sixties was an especially fruitful era for MotoGP.
There was a sudden increase in the Japanese motorcycle industry, and companies such as Honda and Yamaha swooped in to make a mark for themselves.
The Machines:
There is a big difference between the motorbikes driven by the average person, and the ones that are used in this industry. MotoGP motorbikes are prototypes with millions of dollars spent on research to make them go fast. These bikes are not allowed on regular
roads. These bikes are made to be fast, and to be durable in a race. Thus, expensive materials such as titanium and light weight carbon fibre are employed to manufacture bikes. Newer and better materials are being developed and researched to make them better
than before. Newer restrictions have been placed on the size of the engines for regular racing. As of 2007, the bikes in the MotoGP class are allowed to have an 800cc engine; 2-stroke engines have been banned forever. Any breach of regulations is met with
strict and harsh punishment which could cause the team to lag behind in the race, or even lose.
Other than racing, the motorbikes are also “rolling” advertisements, with each team’s bike sporting different logos of different sponsors. The bikes are also made to show off the capabilities of the teams’ company. Thus they are also fitted with the most
expensive equipments and parts available to the company, such as engine control units (ECU) and carbon disk brakes. These are not available in the market for the public.
The Teams:
A typical MotoGP team consists of two riders, their substitutes, mechanics and the manufacturing firm which sponsors the team. Naming a MotoGP team is a science in itself. The name represents the “brand” and the technology which has been used. For example,
take a look at the FIAT Yamaha team. Fiat is the brand that sponsors the team, and Yamaha is the maker of the vehicle that they used. Currently, there are four manufacturers that dominate the Moto GP which includes Ducati, Honda, Yamaha and Suzuki.
Safety Measures:
Uncle Ben from the spider-man series put it best when he said, “With great power comes great responsibility”. The bikes that are used by the riders of MotoGP are packed to the brim with power. Their engines can easily achieve speeds of more than 300kph.
This is why the FIM (one of the governing bodies of the MotoGP) placed its safety regulations. These are a set of rules that a rider must follow in order to prevent accidents and injuries. Rules such as the 60 kph speed limit in the pit lane and a maximum
number of people in the pit lane per team ensure that the rider and those around him remain safe and sound.
Other than these rules, the riders must wear the proper safety gear such as helmets and protective jackets.
MotoGP is one of the few sports that can thrill a fan to the point of madness. There is nothing better than watching your favourite team cross the finish line. Whether you are in the stadium or sitting in your couch at home, MotoGP can give you the same
adrenaline rush that you could get when you are actually riding a motorbike.
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