We asked Guy Coulon about how he would approach the problem of designing a Triumph-powered Moto2. We use the conditional because the technical manager of the Tech3 teams is cautiously waiting for an official confirmation before using the simple future, even if we are able to affirm that this is indeed the case.
Guy, how would you approach building a new Moto2 powered by a Triumph engine ?
“First of all I would like to point out that there has been no official statement, so these are just assumptions. »
So let's say Triumph enters Moto2 in 2019, how would you approach building a new Moto2?
“With what engine?” »
The base of the 765cc, even if the displacement is not yet exactly defined for Moto2…
“In fact, we should already wait to know all the precise characteristics of the engine. Could this be a production engine? With its original air box or not? Does it already exist? What exact displacement? What exact power? Etc. All this would determine a lot of things for us in the geometry of the bike. Power is important because, with the Honda, power was first announced at 150 hp, to finally end up at 120/121 hp. This is what you find on the bench with a good engine. »
What is the relationship between power and chassis geometry?
“It changes the wheelbase. In principle, the more power, the longer the wheelbase. »
Once the wheelbase is defined, would you try to put the center of gravity in the same place as on current Moto2 cars?
“The Triumph engine, I don't know it, but let's admit that it is the base of the rebored 675cc and with another race, we would undoubtedly have an engine that was narrower but higher: would we use the original airbox ? That, plus the accessories, are serious space issues. You must know perfectly all the precise characteristics of the engine, in terms of weight, size and power. How are the organs arranged? Where is the gearbox output gear compared to what we currently have? And if we put it in the same position as what we currently have, because it's a geometry that we know well, can we put the center of gravity in the right place? And if the engine has to be tilted with its air box, will the air inlets be correctly positioned? In short, at the moment, there are many questions that cannot be answered. We will see if they provide us, as I hope, with the 3D of the engine, as was the case with Honda. The most important are the dimensions and the power. »
Now let's imagine that the official announcement is made in Qatar. When will you get to work and how long will it take to design and build a new motorcycle?
“There would be less work than when we started in 2010. We started the first designs of the Mistral in the spring of 2009, while doing our MotoGP season because there were no people dedicated to that. And we drove the first week of December. Basically, we did everything, the drawings, the masters, the frame and the editing in eight months, while doing our job otherwise. There, it would go much faster because we wouldn't have to create everything. At that time, everything had to be done, the frame and the fairings of course, but also the wheels, the wheel axles, the chain tensioners, the arm axles, the arm mounting system, the engine connection system. -frame, triple clamps, etc. Normally, we can keep all these things there. There is no reason to change them. To give you an idea, if we had the knife to our throat, I think we would make a new motorcycle in three months. »
With theMore sophisticated ECU wanted by Dorna who will manage Traction Control, etc., will this require more operational staff?
“It is especially the engineer who is there who would have more work. (laughs) »
Do you like this idea of a Moto2 with a Triumph engine?
" Why not ? Already, it would make a new noise and one that would be unique in motorcycle racing. A category with a three-cylinder would already be a good thing. This would give a little more identity to the category. »
