After all the manufacturers have followed in the footsteps of Ducati in the search for front axle downforce by means of increasingly larger fins, 2017 will be the year of going backwards in this area, with the ban on any element aerodynamics that can create downforce.
The regulations have therefore been modified and we offer our own translation and interpretation (since it is written in English) of the articles concerning this subject.
There is no doubt that the engineers have studied these new regulations with the greatest attention…
2.4.4.7
- Devices, or shapes protruding from the fairing or bodywork, and not integrated into the overall shape of the motorcycle (e.g., fenders, spoilers, bulges, etc.) that may provide an aerodynamic effect (e.g., downforce or disruption of the aerodynamic wake, etc.) are not permitted.
The Technical Director will be the sole judge to decide whether a device or the design of a fairing falls within the above definition.
Moving aerodynamic elements are prohibited.
- Approval of MotoGP Aerodynamic Packages
The MotoGP Aerodynamic Package is defined as the part of the motorcycle bodywork that is directly impacted by the airflow while the motorcycle is moving forward and is not in the wake of the rider's body or other parts of the motorbike.
Materially, the Aerodynamic Package is made up of two separate components, the front fairing and the mudguard, according to the diagrams in the appendix (Image 4, Image 5).
Only the external shape, excluding the screen, is defined in this regulation, therefore the following parts are not considered in the context of the aerodynamic fairing: screen, air ducts, fairing supports and other parts inside the external profile of the bodywork.
a) The Aerodynamic Package is subject to homologation, and samples or detailed drawings (at the discretion of the Technical Director) must be delivered to the Technical Director before the end of the technical inspection during the first event of the season.
b) L’homologation est accordée “par pilote”, donc les différents pilotes d’un même constructeur de motos peuvent avoir différents Ensembles Aérodynamiques.
c) One update per element (The 2 elements are the front fairing and the mudguard) is authorized at any time during the season, for each driver. Samples or drawings of the updated items must be delivered to the Technical Director before the updated items are used on track. The update may consist of using a previously approved Aerodynamic Package element from the same manufacturer. Both the update and the initial Aerodynamic Package can be used (i.e. each driver can have a maximum of 2 Aerodynamic Packages available), but each Aerodynamic Package receives separate homologation and the different parts are not cannot be exchanged between them. The 2 elements of the Aerodynamic Package can be mixed, that is, the first fairing can be used on the motorcycle with the first or updated mudguard, and vice versa.
d) Chaque élément de l’Ensemble aérodynamique homologué (Carénage frontal et garde-boue) peut consister en différents parties, lesquelles doivent pouvoir être montées ensemble sur la moto. On considère l’ensemble des parties de chaque élément comme “un kit” et on ne permet pas différentes versions de la même partie. Il est autorisé que quelques parties d’un composant de l’Ensemble Aérodynamique homologué puisse ne pas être montées sur la moto (par exemple, des profilages de mains utilisés seulement par temps de pluie).
e) Material may be removed (e.g. by sanding, drilling holes, etc.) from the Aerodynamic Package without affecting the approval, but material may not be added.
f) As a sole exemption to clause c. it is permitted to homologate a 2016 Aerodynamic Package for use only during the 2017 season. Therefore a driver can begin the 2017 season using both the 2016 Aerodynamic Package and the first 2017. Such 2016 elements must be identified and homologated by the Technical Director before the end of the last event of the 2016 season.
In case a driver uses an update of the 2017 Aerodynamic Package according to clause c., either the 2016 Aerodynamic Package or the first Aerodynamic Package must be removed from the possible options for that pilot, so that only 2 choices are available at any time by driver.
This one-time exemption will not apply at the end of the 2017 season, so for the 2018 season only the initial 2018 Aerodynamic Package and an in-season update (if taken) will be available to each driver.
g) Manufacturers in their first season of participation in the MotoGP category are allowed to make an unlimited number of updates to the elements of the Aerodynamic Package as described in clause c., provided that the design of each Package respects the rest of this regulation.
It may not be completely unnecessary to translate this into more colorful language, from what we understand...
– Each driver will be entitled to 2 fairings and 2 mudguards for the season.
– He will be able to mix fairings and mudguards as he wishes, but not use the top of fairing A with the bottom of fairing B, and vice versa.
– In 2017, we will be able to use the 2016 fairing (without its fins) then have a maximum of two updates, which will make a total of 3 different fairings.
– In 2017, KTM will have as many updates as desired.
It should be noted that all this concerns only what protrudes from the fairing and the general shape of the motorcycle, and that, consequently, the work of engineers should be focused on everything that is inside this general shape ( false air intakes, double skin fairing, fins in the internal flow, etc…).
