We took advantage of the presence of Guy Coulon to the Sunday Ride Classic to gather his point of view on the start of the 2023 MotoGP season: New format, new riders, new aerodynamics. We tried to quickly review as many things as possible, even if the man was very busy on the Paul Ricard circuit, right in his favorite field, between the engine exhibition and the machines he was running. .
Mr. Coulon, what do you do at the SRC?
Guy Coulon : " Ah, well I came for a walk, since the climate is still nice. I also had an appointment with you for an interview, so I came for that as well. And then, I came to meet people that I only see there, finally, and then look at the motorcycles a little too, and the very good idea and very beautiful exhibition of engines: Very, very nice! That's what I liked the most. believe. And then I, I had lunch with friends, it's very good. Yesterday too. And then probably this evening too. There you go, I think this type of meeting is a bit made for that, right? »
User-friendliness, historical interest in motorcycles and engines... You even provided some, I believe?
« Yes a little bit. And then we ran 2 motorcycles with an experienced pilot. »
Who is ?
« Guillaume Dumas, incidentally GASGAS engineer at Tech 3, Pol Espargaró side. »
With a Kawasaki and a Honda, right?
« That's it, we remain eclectic. »
Now, let's leave the SRC aside otherwise we'll quickly get lost with the bore-stroke of the Adler or the needle bearings of the 4-cylinder Jawa, and let's talk a little about Grand Prix. We know that you are retired but you are still on the circuits and you have eyes and ears. So, tell us about the start of the season…
« The new format has come together well. From the feedback I have, I see it more on the ground than on TV, but in any case the people who talk to me about it appreciate the format and the races, and the intensity of the race and the show that was there: It wasn't bad. That's the impression I have too. I am quite surprised, and despite the fact that I am in it, by the technological leap of almost all brands between 2021-2022 and 2022-2023. These are 2 years where frankly, even if it is not too visible from the outside on all the departure and control systems of everything, the work provided is impressive, I think. At almost everyone's house. »
So what we see is the aerodynamics, particularly at KTM recently, including at the last test in Jerez where it was still extremely spectacular. We're in lateral ground effect when turning, right?
« Well, I don't think it's ground effect, but that's the journalists, they say that because they thought it was interesting to say that, no doubt, but I don't think that either that. But I also found it spectacular, and above all, in the things we tried on Monday, there was something very effective, so it's not just an illusion.
There, we enter another dimension, that is to say that the beginnings of aerodynamics were made through people who have been working on aerodynamics on motorcycles for several years now. And there, little by little, there were external collaborators, if I may say so, who came… »
From F1, we can say it…
« So there you have it, with much more sophisticated means, especially a much better knowledge of aerodynamics. Without having any knowledge of motorcycles, but they quickly adapted and they understand the needs. In any case, they are able to meet the needs or requests of motorcycle engineers. At Monday's test in Jerez, Red Bull F1 engineers brought things that they tested in the wind tunnel, probably, and when we put it on the track, it was really interesting. So now, it was in Jerez and we will have to have the opportunity to test this elsewhere to see if the effectiveness is still there, since we have the right to only one change during the year, so it is not a question don't rush into something that may not work everywhere: To see, you have to remain careful, because once you have taken it, you have taken it. »
Are you telling us about the large vertical blades that go down to the bottom of the fairing that we saw?
“That’s part of it, yes. »
And so it's not ground effect?
« No ! »
While waiting for the KTMs, they still took a leap forward: We saw 2 KTMs at the front of the race during…
« They have already made 4 good starts in Jerez, which means that the launch control system is effective. Afterwards, you have to know that these are systems which are adjusted circuit by circuit, and that you can have better optimization on one circuit than on another, so that does not mean that if you are the king of the start in Jerez, you will be the king of the start at Le Mans. Especially since at Le Mans it will certainly be very complicated, if not impossible, to use the rear system. » »
Why?
« Because, as it's mechanical and you have to brake to put it back in place, particularly the front but that might be possible, we'll see, and at the rear you also have to brake to put it back in place, it might be difficult to go to the chicane on your stomach...
So at Le Mans, we will have to find something, and we have some ideas. »
So there, you are telling us that a departure, now, is no longer fair: We lower the bottom of the bike, we lower the front of the bike, and we manage with the gas and the clutch. There is something else.
« That is to say that we must optimize all of that, that is to say that in function, we must not be too low, we must be as low as possible at that moment, without it slipping . When the center of gravity is low, you skate. So you have to avoid that, so you have to determine little by little, during the test sessions, the right starting height based on your gear, gear, etc., which change with each circuit, depending on whether the line starting point is uphill or downhill, if there is significant braking to get it all back on its feet, in time.
»
To be continued…
