This is a 14-page document from Race Management which was provided to us by Dorna Sports, informing about the particularities of this Algarve Grand Prix in Portimão, Portugal.
Once is not customary, here is a broad overview of what is primarily sent to all the teams to inform their drivers (Paddock-GP translation).
GENERAL INFORMATION TO TEAMS
ABSENT OR INJURED RIDERS
If your driver is absent during practice or the race, you can obtain information from the IRTA staff member who will be located in the technical inspection office, near box 1, or from the IRTA office.
If your driver is injured, he will be taken to the Medical Center located at the top of the paddock (Pit Box 1) after the control tower and near the TV complex.
If you require the services of Mobile Clinic staff, they can be located, during testing and racing, in the Mobile Clinic, parked next to the Medical Center.
Outside of the circuit, the mobile clinic staff can be contacted via the cell phone of Dr. Michele Zasa, (39) XXXXXXX.
ACCIDENTED AND RECOVERED MOTORCYCLES
Recovered motorcycles will be returned as quickly as possible to the recovery area adjacent to the control tower.
TEAMS WITHOUT PIT BOX
Drivers with temporary pit boxes will access the circuit through pit box 26.
WALKS IN THE PIT LANE
Pit lane walks are scheduled as follows. Please comply with these important public relations activities; box doors must be open to the pit lane and teams must not erect screens to obstruct views of the pit.
Saturday: 11.50:12.25 a.m. – 10.25:10.55 p.m., and Sunday: XNUMX:XNUMX a.m. – XNUMX:XNUMX a.m.
SCOOTERS IN THE SERVICE LANE
Remember that it is mandatory to wear a helmet when riding a scooter on the service road, both for the rider and the passenger.
All security checkpoints have been informed that they only allow scooters on the service road if the following criteria are met:
1. The scooter has the correct access sticker.
2. Everyone on the scooter has the correct credentials to access the service road.
3. Everyone on the scooter wears a protective helmet.
Helmets worn must be approved motorcycle helmets. The only exception will be for mechanics wearing red passes who will be permitted to wear “pit lane” style helmets with incorporated communications radios.
SECURITY
Even though public access is reduced this year, we strongly recommend that you be vigilant to protect yourself against theft. In particular, ensure that:
Scooters and bicycles are locked or chained when unattended, and are secure if you take them out of the circuit.
Car passes are not left visible in the car when you are off the circuit.
Do not leave trucks, RVs, and vehicles unlocked when unattended. Be sure to secure team and rider equipment when you are not present.
FINISHING LINE
Regulations for the FIM Grand Prix World Championship Art. 1.24.2
In the event of a photo-finish between two or more riders, the decision will be taken in favor of the competitor whose plane of attack of the front wheel first crosses the plane of the finish line.
The finish line is defined by the plane of the solid white line in the middle of the checkered line.
Note that the start and finish lines are not in the same place.
NOTICE TO ALL DRIVERS AND TEAMS
Penalty for long lap
Refer to Article 1.19.2 of the FIM Grand Prix Regulations.
– Turn 14 of the Portimão circuit.
– The penalty can be used for any infraction during a race, for example exceeding track limits.
– Finish line sign and scoreboard signal.
– Must be done within 3 rounds (5 rounds in case of 2xLLP). Higher penalty for non-compliance.
– The rider is 100% responsible for exiting and returning safely without disturbing other riders. Penalties will be applied for dangerous driving.
No practice starts from the pit lane
The FIM Regulations (Art. 1.21.16) authorize practice starts from the pit lane exit during sessions when it is possible to do so in complete safety.
It has been agreed with the Safety Commission to identify circuits where it is not safe to carry out practice starts from the pit lane exit.
The Autódromo do Algarve, Portimão, is designated as a circuit where it is unsafe due to the speed limit of 60 km/h after the pit exit lights, therefore:
It is not permitted to practice starts from the pit lane exit during sessions on this circuit.
Please ensure your drivers are informed.
EXIT FROM THE PIT LANE and ENTRY INTO THE PIT LANE
PIT LANE EXIT
We remind you that the exit lane from the pits must be respected.
Drivers must remain inside the solid white line on the left side defining the pit exit road, until they have passed the dotted white line painted across the pit lane exit .
Remember that the pit exit speed limit ends after the right turn on the inside of Turn 1.
ENTRY INTO THE PIT LANE
The pit entrance is now the first entrance BEFORE turn 15.
There is a white guide line on the circuit to help drivers use the correct entry. The second entrance before T15 is closed.
DURING THE RACES (e.g. MotoGP flag to flag race)
Solid white lines on both sides of the entrance and exit must be respected to avoid cutting turns and driving dangerously.
START OF THE RACE FROM THE PIT LANE
If a rider is making a race start from the pit lane, the following protocol will be used, in order to avoid racing speeds in the right turn at the end of the pit exit road.
Riders starting from the pit lane make up the grid at the pit exit lights.
Green lights signal pit lane riders to start.
The speed limit in the pit lane after the lights does not apply to riders starting from the pit lane.
Riders must stay to the right of the white line until they cross the yellow dotted line at the end of the red/white markings.
After crossing the dotted yellow line, overtaking is permitted and riders then cross the track and take Turn 1 in the usual manner.
Riders starting the race from the pit lane MUST enter Turn 1 in the normal manner, and NOT via the pit exit lane.
This procedure applies to a race start from the pit lane ONLY.
START TESTING AREA, PORTIMÃO CIRCUIT
The only official start practice area on the Portimão circuit is located at the exit of turn 4 (left side).
Test starts after the end of a practice session can ONLY be carried out in this area, on the side of the track away from the racing trajectory.
Ride Through Penalty
If a rider is issued a pit lane crossing penalty but it is not possible to complete it before the end of the race, a time penalty will be imposed.
The time penalty will be determined by the race management based on timing, according to the actual time spent on each circuit.
This penalty is calculated as the additional time that a pass takes compared to a normal race lap (passing through the pit lane instead of driving on the track between pit entry and exit), and is therefore different for each category.
The penalty time for a Ride Through of the Portimão circuit is as follows:
Moto3: 55 seconds
Moto2: 57 seconds
MotoGP: 59 seconds
Time equivalent to the penalty for the long lap
The long lap penalty (see Art. 1.19.2) has an equivalent time calculated which will be added to the driver's race time if he is unable to complete the penalty (e.g. due to an interruption of the race).
The equivalent long lap time for the Portimão circuit is:
3 seconds (all categories).
Illustration credit: Dorna Sports
