MotoGP: Updated Rule Changes For Australian MotoGP
Cycle News Staff | October 19, 2013
There is been a new development in the race tire versus the new Phillip Island race surface saga. Apparently after further issues during the morning warm-up, Bridgestone was unable to guarantee safety of their rear slick tires beyond 10 laps. Therefore in the interest of safety, Race Direction has reduced the race distance from 25 – already one lap less than normal – to 19 laps. The mandatory bike change is still in affect, but must be completed between the end of lap 9 or lap 10. The new rules also include wet race scenarios.
Below are the new rules for the MotoGP class as dictated by Race Direction…
1. The race distance will be 19 laps.
2. Every rider will be required to enter the pits and change to his second machine with fresh tires at least once during the race. In normal circumstances this means that the rider must change machine only at the end of lap 9 or lap 10.
3. No rider is permitted to make more than 10 laps on any one slick or wet rear tire. This means that a bike/tire change before lap 9 will require a second bike/tire change to finish the race.
4. The above procedure is valid for a dry race or a race that starts in wet conditions. Clearly in a wet race the rider will change to a bike with wet tires.
5. If the race is started in dry conditions and it then rains the race will be stopped with a red flag. The restarted race will be for the number of laps required to complete 19 laps but with a maximum of 10 laps and a minimum of 5 laps.
6. Riders using “Factory” and “Satellite” machines will be required to use the “hard” option tire (B51DR). Extra quantity will be allocated by Bridgestone.
7. Riders using CRT machines will be required to use CRT “hard” option tire (B50DR). Extra quantity will be allocated by Bridgestone.
8. The pit lane speed limit zone will be extended both on entry and exit, and the exit route to rejoin the track will be marked by a white line in the runoff area. Crossing this line whilst rejoining the track from pit lane will result in a penalty.
