MotoGP Regulations
For the first time since 2008, MotoGP implemented three practice sessions at Aragon this past weekend – two on Friday, and one on Saturday before qualifying. And on Tuesday, the FIM Road Racing World Championship Commission unanimously decided to use the same three-practice format for the final two rounds in Portugal and Valencia.
MotoGP didn’t officially say why they won’t be implementing the three-practice format for Motegi, Sepang or Phillip Island, but it’s most likely because of the support races already set up at the events.
MotoGP quit using the three-practice format in 2009 in attempt to cut costs. Since 2009 and up to Aragon, the format consisted of an hour-long Friday Free Practice 1 session, an hour-long Saturday Free Practice 2 session, and then an hour-long Qualifying session.
But at Aragon, there was still three hours of practice and qualifying combined, but just in shorter segments: 45 minutes each for the three practice sessions and qualifying. These shorter sessions allowed the return of three practices over two, and at the same costs.
Due to the positive response from teams, MotoGP will likely implement the three-practice format for 2011.
Also for Portugal and Valencia, the 125cc and Moto2 practices have been swapped. Instead of Moto2 practicing before MotoGP, and the 125cc Class after MotoGP, the 125cc Class will be first on the track, then MotoGP, then Moto2. In the normal format, Moto2 would be on the track first, followed by MotoGP and then 125cc.
On Tuesday, the FIM Commission also decided on the 2011 Regulation for fuel pressure in the MotoGP Class. The commission agreed that In the MotoGP class the maximum permitted fuel pressure is 10 Bar, at a recirculated flow rate of 50 litres/hour .
Following is the new rules for 2011:
1) It is mandatory to use an official approved fuel pressure regulator, as specified by the Technical Director. This official regulator must be fitted downstream of the fuel pump, such that the maximum fuel pressure available to the injectors is never more than 10 Bar.
The official regulator manufacturer may supply regulators set at any lower pressure and/or any higher flow rate, as requested by MotoGP teams, provided that these regulators are not capable of delivering more than 10 Bar at 50 litres/hour.
2) Additional regulators may be used in conjunction with the official regulator to further reduce and control fuel pressure, but no device or strategy capable of increasing fuel pressure at the injectors above 10 Bar may be used anywhere in the system.
3) The approved fuel pressure regulator will be sealed, marked and certified by the regulator manufacturer, and may be inspected and/or removed for testing at any time by the Technical Director.
4) Teams must supply a schematic diagram of their fuel system including the location of the fuel pressure regulator when requested by the Technical Director.
5) In measuring the fuel pressure and flow rate delivered by the regulator, the tolerance as specified by the official approved regulator manufacturer will be taken into account.
