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Qualifying
In the case of MotoGP, it’s the session or sessions in which riders try to achieve the best time to determine the positions in which they will be placed on the starting grid. The best time is placed in pole position.
Quick shifter
It usually works through a sensor in the shift rod that detects the pressure when shifting gears. It usually works through a sensor in the shift rod that detects the pressure when shifting gears. At that moment, it sends a signal to the ECU to cut the injection for a few milliseconds. This small pause frees the transmission from tension, allowing you to engage without using the clutch. It’s not as fast as a seamless gearbox, but it can be installed on your street bike.
Race direction
It’s a group made up of FIM, Dorna, and IRTA members. Its mission is to manage decisions such as declaring whether the race will be dry or wet, sanctions, and everything related to making sure the race goes ahead without problems.
Race distance
It’s the determined distance for each race, and it must be a minimum of 95 km and a maximum of 130 km and can only be altered by the Race Direction.
Race pace
It’s the rhythm objective that a rider sets for a race and that may vary from the beginning to the end, depending on the calculations of weight, temperature, tyre wear, etc.
Race participation
For a rider to be considered a race participant, they must have at least started the race.
Ram Air
It’s a type of air intake in the bike that improves the engine’s performance through the air pressure created by travelling at high speeds. It requires a careful aerodynamic design to work correctly.
Honda maker’s team, top category in motorcycling since 1995. It also has a team in the Trial World Championship.
Repsol Bravo3 Aerobatic Team
Repsol’s aerial acrobatic team is made up of pilots Cástor Fantoba, Juan Velarde, and Anselmo Gámez. Their aircrafts are Sukhoi-26 with over 400 HP.
Rev counter
Also known as a tachometer. It’s the instrument that shows you the engine’s revolutions per minute. They can be in an analogue format (as in the majority of street vehicles) or digital, on a screen on which the scale is marked.
Rev limiter
It’s when the engine reaches the limit of revolutions allowed electronically, the moment at which it can no longer accelerate, which usually cuts the injection.
Ride through
A sanction for which the rider will have to ride their bike through the pitlane in order to rejoin the race. They tend to be imposed in situations such as jumping the start or dangerous actions.
Rider
The person who rides the bike.
Rim
Rims. The part of the wheel where the tyres are attached. In MotoGP, magnesium ones are used. Although they can also be made of aluminium.
Rostrum
Another name for the podium.
RPM
Revolutions per minute. In an engine, it’s the number of revolutions the crankshafts make in one minute.
Safety car
It’s one of the safety vehicles used by the organisation. Its mission is to act as a medical and recognition car. It can be seen driving immediately before the race begins and following the pack after the start.
Scrutineering
During a GP, the technical commissioners must inspect each one of the bikes to check if they meet the regulations. This includes checking the engine that will be used, the weight, and aerodynamic package. The bikes that pass the check are fitted with a specific sticker for that GP. During a GP, any bike can be called to be reinspected.
Seizure
A situation that usually takes place when an engine loses lubricant or pressure, causing excessive friction between the metal pieces, which causes high temperatures and the extreme wear of some parts, which make the engine unusable.
Sensor
Elements that allow the ECU to measure different parameters of the bike, such as a wheel’s turn speed, the bike’s lean angle, crankshaft position, or coolant temperature
Shifter
It’s the left pedal on a bike with gears with which you can shift gears. In a car, it’s the lever that allows you to engage each one of the speeds.
Sighting lap
It’s the lap or laps that riders go on before the race. The lap can finish at the starting grid, where they will be taken to their position, or at the pitlane if they wish to go on another lap.
Single cylinder
Single cylinder engines, like the ones used in the current Moto3 category or in the TrialGP World Championship.
Slick
Competition tyres without tread pattern grooves for use on dry tracks.
Slipstream
It’s the aerodynamic effect that is generated behind another vehicle that allows you to gain more speed.
SOHC
It refers to a type of engine with a single overhead camshaft in the cylinder head.
Spark Plugs
They are responsible for turning on the mixture of air/fuel inside the cylinders when decided by the ECU. This can vary depending on the engine map selected. They work with high voltage.
Spoiler
Added aerodynamics to the fairing that can be used both to improve the grip and to favour a higher maximum speed according to its shape and position.
Starter
Device used to start the bikes. There are different kinds, like a skate on which the back wheel can be placed that makes it rotate with an engine or a hand device that looks like a drill connected to the engine on the side of the bike.
Steering damper
It’s a small shock absorber located between the bike’s shank and the chassis and that allows the absorption of sudden or violent turn movements that happen in the front end.
Stoppie
Manoeuvre to lift the back wheel when braking suddenly. It can be considered to be the opposite of a wheelie and it can occasionally be seen at the beginning of certain turns.
Swingarm
Element that makes up the bike’s rear suspension set, and that connects the back wheel and the chassis. The rear shock absorber, brake caliper, and electronic sensors are also anchored to it. They tend to be made of aluminium, although it is sometimes made of, or reinforced with, carbon fibre.
MotoGP Glossary: M to P
MotoGP Glossary: T to Y
2 months ago