by Mark Appleton
The powers that be at Dorna have decided to get tough on riders who are constantly being warned or penalised for endangering other riders or committing other serious offences like assault!
They have also put some new technical regulations and changes together, all of which can be found below.
To address these issues they have, effective immediately, put in place a new system of Penalty Points, think yellow and red cards in football or the sin bin in rugby.
Race Direction can sanction a rider with a number of Penalty Points between one and ten and is instead of or in addition to any other sanction. Points will be ‘totted up’ during the season and if a rider reaches a certain threshold the following sanctions are applied, again similar to football when players get so many yellow cards they end up automatically banned for a game.
- Four Points - Starts next race from rear of grid.
- Seven Points - Starts next race from pit lane.
- Ten Points - Disqualification from the next event.
Once the ten point sanction has been imposed then the points are reset to zero and points are not carried forward to the following season.
Elsewhere there have been changes to the start procedure which see a green flag joining the green light on pit lane opening at the pit exit, no red flag will be displayed in front of the grid at the conclusion of the sighting lap and tyre warmers must be removed immediately on display of the one minute board.
Following approval of the new qualifying procedure for the MotoGP class it is also necessary to determine the criteria for actual qualification to take part in the race - the 107% rule.
To be allowed to take part in the actual qualifying sessions a rider must achieve a time better than 107% of the fastest rider in any of the four free practice sessions. It is no longer possible to qualify for the race based on a time set in the warm up.
Riders who are appointed as substitutes for an injured rider after some free practice sessions have taken place and have not achieved the 107% cut off will still be allowed to participate in Qualifying Practice 1 where they must achieve a qualifying time.
Other changes are:
- Failure of riders participating in their first event of the season to attend the FIM briefing may attract a penalty but will no longer result in automatic disqualification.
- The responsibility for switching on red rear lights in rain conditions now rests with the teams - no boards will be displayed.
- It is no longer a requirement for the team to be notified and acknowledge the imposition of a ride through penalty due to a jump start. The requirement will be displayed at the start line to the rider and included on the information page of the timekeeping monitors.
- There is no longer a minimum fine that can be imposed by Race Direction. The maximum fine is now fixed at €50,000.00
There have also been some technical regulation changes which also come into effect immediately, starting with MotoGP these are:
- Carbon Composite wheels are not permitted. (As is already the case for Moto3 and Moto2).
- The exception granted to CRT entries in 2012 to permit use of brake disks of a different diameter than the 320mm specified in the regulations will not be extended to 2013.
- A revised allocation of tyres will be introduced. In principle, riders will receive an additional rear tyre and the “soft” front tyre offered as an option in 2012, but not used, will no longer be available. In that case, the exception concerning allocations of different grades of front tyres at certain specified circuits will be cancelled. The decision on the precise make up of the allocation will be taken following the official test at Sepang on 5-7 February.
- In this context, the official supplier will be making available a “softer” rear tyre for use by CRT entries.
Effective 2014:
A procedure for homologation of the “frozen” engine specifications was approved. It was confirmed that this regulation does not apply to CRT entries and that different teams using the same brand of MSMA machine could have engines homologated with different specifications.
Effective 2015:
Maximum prices permitted to be charged for the supply of brakes and suspension will be imposed. Investigations are also being carried out with a view to capping charges for “service contracts” for the same products.
In the Moto2 and Moto3 classes the changes are as follows:
- Moto2 class quick-shifter systems must be approved by the Technical Director.
- The allocation of tyres for the Moto2 class is changed. In future riders will have the following maximum numbers available:
- 8 front tyres of the two standard specifications.
- 9 rear tyres of the two standard specifications
- The actual specifications will be determined by the official supplier and all riders will receive equal allocations.
- Front race numbers on Moto3 and Moto2 machines must have a separation of minimum 10mm between double digit numbers. Reflective backgrounds are not permitted.
Effective 2014:
To ensure that teams in the Moto3 are supplied with engines of the same specification at a reasonable price it has been agreed that engines will be supplied via the series organisers and distributed randomly. Engines will not be returned for maintenance but having completed normal mileage will be retained by teams for other purposes or sale on.
Discussions are continuing about the maximum number of engines allowed and the routine, minor engine maintenance to be permitted and a final regulation will be announced during the 2013 Qatar GP.
Maximum prices will be imposed for complete Moto3 class machines and maximum prices will be specified for chassis and major components for Moto3 and Moto2 class machines. Again, final regulations will be announced during the 2013 Qatar GP.
All Classes
Effective 2014:
In 2013 Dorna will introduce a new timekeeping transponder that will have the ability to display on the dashboard additional information for the rider. Most importantly, this will include the ability to duplicate flag signals. Use of a compatible dashboard is mandatory from 2014 and optional in 2013.
In the Moto2 class the use of an updated Lambda sensor will be compulsory
Effective 2015:
FIM homologation standards for all racing wheels were approved in principle. Final standards will be announced at the Qatar GP
Other Matters
The Commission confirmed acceptance of all MotoGP class CRT entries on the provisional 2013 entry list.
The Commission approved various MotoGP wild card entries:
- Michel Pirro - Ducati - Jerez, Mugello and Misano
- Martin Bauer - Schwarz & Bronnen - Brno
