From the circuit to the street: What MotoGP technology reaches users?

Joining a category like MotoGP means committing a large amount of resources for the factories involved. The specific figures of the investment are not public but can assume a range of expenditure from 35 to 60 million euros per season.

Since only part of these budgets are covered by sponsorships, Most of the resources to compete are provided by the brands themselves.. In their balance sheets, therefore, racing appears as an important expense. Unlike other departments, the career department is not managed to obtain economic benefits; Its mission is different.

And what purpose is this?… Let’s use as a reference the case of Honda, the largest manufacturer in the world with more than 17 million units sold per year.

Its presence in MotoGP, with the help of HRC, has a triple reason for being:.

● The first of these is to enhance, through presence in a world sporting event, the image of the brand.

● The second, examine in a very demanding environment its best young engineers, who are given the opportunity to demonstrate their excellence.

● And the third reason for the racing departments is to test the ideas and components developed in the R&D departments on the track and evaluate their introduction into the production of motorcycles.

The first of these goals is linked to the marketing department, which is responsible for attracting buyers. That is, generating significant income for the company. The second purpose acts as a filter between the selection of engineers who are called to occupy the most responsible positions in the company. The third may be called a prelude to the future; works as a kind of test bed in the most demanding conditions.

Because nothing is more technologically radical than MotoGP. And it doesn’t matter where you look: engine, chassis, brakes, suspension, tires, lubricants, fuel… And even drivers’ equipment like helmets, overalls, gloves, boots… It doesn’t matter where you look , MotoGP is the end of the ‘known world’. An end of the world that engineers continue to promote.

Examples of innovations that have gone through the racing test bed to become available and benefit the general public There are dozens of them.

The wheels, for example. Today, a non-radial tire is unthinkable, a concept that was secretly introduced by Michelin in 1984, and with its subsequent introduction to the market represents the before and after for motorcycle users. The same thing happened to the introduction of silicon oxide in 1992 in the mixture of substances used in the manufacture of tires. Its subsequent use in mass consumption improved wetland safety. Recently, it has been the widespread use of electronics in the competition of motorcycles that resulted in an amazing development when it was applied to the production of motorcycles. Rules that until a few years ago were only associated with racing are now applied to everyday motorcycles, from urban scooters to powerful super sports motorcycles.

Curves of power that adapts to driving style of each user and the road conditions, engine brake adjustmentmanagement progressive in power input, abs connecting and disconnecting, automatic electronic suspension adjustment, to name a few. The latest change is the application of distance radars rear and front, warning the driver when he is too close to the vehicle in front or when someone is approaching from behind at an unusual speed. There are also light warnings of having a vehicle in the blind spot. All this reaches the street after passing through the most demanding test, MotoGP.

Another area where the race is almost a mandatory test bed is the fuels. Repsol has been evolving its Grand Prix fuels and lubricants for decades. A research and development work in which it collaborates with Honda, which, in turn, has found in the Spanish multi-energy company a technological partner with which to improve the performance of the fuels it uses in its MotoGP machines.

Some benefits that Repsol is proud of and shares with its customers in its network of service stations. The same applies as in the aforementioned example of tires and electronics: racing as a test bed in idyllic conditions in try both fuels and lubricants and take the necessary learnings so that they can later be applied to products aimed at the end customer.

A bank that currently serves to develop the environmental technology that society demands. This season, Michelin used tires with up to 52% sustainable materials – of natural, recycled or regenerated origin – on the Moto E; Repsol, for its part, is preparing to supply its MotoGP teams with renewable fuels of 40% non-fossil origin that the championship will need in 2024; a percentage that should be 100% by 2027.

Combine the unique characteristics of high competition with respect for the environment that what the authorities are asking for seemed impossible until recently. But the research and development work of technology companies shows that no, that is not the case. Careers and maintenance These are concepts that can be developed in parallel in the same environment without having to give up the search for high performance.