Jorge Lorenzo groks the internet. So do the 500 people who posted their photos on his bike through the Fiat On The Web initiative
Out of the shadows rode a hero: Monster Tech 3 Yamaha's Ben Spies
Dani Pedrosa lost out in the Repsol Honda battle, finishing behind Andrea Dovizioso on Friday
Dovi, meanwhile, is hoping that funding can be found for a third slot in the factory Honda team
Why cost-cutting measures never work: Aerodynamics could be the next big thing in MotoGP, if Ducati are right ...
... Which is why they are running these Alan Jenkins' designed winglets, aimed at adding downforce at high speed tracks, among other things
The future of racing? The Motoczysz C1 electric racebike. About as radical as it gets
One half of Team Texas: Monster Tech 3 Yamaha's Colin Edwards
Aspar's Hector Barbera, in classic 748 colors
What fast looks like: Marlboro Ducati's Casey Stoner
See more of Scott's photos or order a print from his website, Turn2Photography.com
Comments
Great shots!
Any coverage of the all electric race with the C1?
ty Dave./tweet very good
ty Dave./tweet very good
Always willing...
...to make a complete fool of myself, I thought I'd ask: What do you mean when you say "why cost-cutting measures never work"?
The "wings" look pretty groovy/weird/cool, though...
Aerodynamics
Because, as any F1 fan will tell you, aerodynamics is a money pit. And the money left over from the reduced maintenance on the long-life engines is now going into aero.
RIIIIIIIIIIIIIGHT.
Gotcha.
See? If I'm willing to ask, there's always someone who's willing to answer! :)
Thanks!
(p.s. In the interest of properly developing the picture of how I really should know these things, I never, EVER miss an F1 race. I guess I just didn't see aero becoming that much more important in Moto GP...)
Winglets schminglets
Those truly excellent photos ( and the first I've seen from the working side of the attachments) of the Ducati 'winglets' is abundant evidence that the prime purpose of these things is to act as a venturi plate to get more air through the radiators. Look at the ratio of 'span' - the horizontal width - vs the depth of the side-plate, which is roughly three to four times the size.
The only effective downforce on the front of a bike comes from the air pressure against the upper part of the fairing. Now, with added flow through the radiators that reduces the air pressure below the lip of the fairing thus adding something to the potential downforce the fairing can generate - so that's a plus for the idea.
A quick estimate from one of the aeronautical engineers in my family suggests that the shape of the horizontal plates could add maybe a kg or so of downforce at 200 kph (very rough estimate from looking at Scott Jones's photo and another photo showing the plates from the front). However he also feels that the horizontal protrusion may well add very significantly to the venturi effect of the side-plate.
So yes - they are an aerodynamic aid but they aren't the motorcycling equivalent of an F1-style front wing. Does anybody really think Ducati would cheerfully discuss the true effects of a technical breakthrough? If so, then may I wish safe landings for all their pigs.
Good post!
Good post!