Graphic: Backfire Racing.
While many venues host both motorcycle and car racing, MotoGP circuits often require specific safety and design considerations that differ meaningfully from tracks built primarily for cars.
Runoff Area Requirements
Because riders can be thrown from their bikes in a crash, MotoGP circuits typically require larger gravel or paved runoff areas than car racing safety standards demand, giving a sliding rider more distance to shed speed before reaching a barrier.
Track Surface Considerations
Surface grip levels and consistency matter enormously for motorcycles leaning at extreme angles, and circuits often need specific resurfacing or texture treatments to provide the grip characteristics that MotoGP machinery requires, differing from the surface priorities discussed in how race tracks are designed for car racing.
Barrier and Airfence Technology
Many corners at motorcycle-focused circuits use specialized air fence barriers designed to absorb impact energy specifically for a sliding rider, differing from the barrier types more commonly used at car-only facilities.
Camber and Corner Design
Corner camber and radius are designed with lean angle in mind, since a corner that works well for a car’s four contact patches might not provide the ideal geometry for a motorcycle relying on a completely different contact and grip profile.
Why Some Circuits Host Both Successfully
Facilities that successfully host both disciplines usually invest in adjustable or supplementary safety systems specifically for motorcycle events, recognizing that a single fixed safety configuration can’t adequately serve both types of racing equally well.
About the Author
