The race in Buriram, Thailand, presents challenges not found at any other circuit on the current WorldSBK calendar.
With air temperatures reaching 40 degrees, and track temperatures near 60 degrees, even watching the race from the low wall requires a lot of water and a change of jersey afterward. Yamaha Racing wanted to explore how the Pata Yamaha R1s are able to race hard for 20 laps in such extreme conditions.
First of all, Alberto colombo (known as “Moro”), Yamaha’s WorldSBK technical coordinator, explored the technical aspects.
Yamaha Racing: We've seen a lot of work on the Pata Yamaha R1s when it comes to heat here. Can you tell us what the biggest technical challenges are?
Moor : “Well, usually racing machines don't like it to be too hot, and here it's an extreme problem! There are a few areas we need to control, but it's not that easy! Let's look at the main problems.
Freins:
A combination of very high temperatures and very hard braking from top speed at the end of the two straights means that the front brakes are pushed to the limit of their capacity, or even more. We have made changes here in Thailand to improve braking performance in these extreme conditions.
Alex and Michael use carbon fiber air ducts, at the bottom of the fork tubes, which channel air from the high pressure area at the front of the bike directly to the brake calipers, which are normally located in a pocket of turbulent air behind the fork tubes. Other teams have used this system in the past. We never needed it before, but now we attack harder and go faster! We also think our scoops have the most elegant design of all the teams... To match the most beautiful bike!
Additionally, we use thicker than normal Brembo front brake discs. Increasing mass slows heat build-up, which can result in reduced braking performance. There is a small negative point in terms of weight, but on this track, consistency and stopping power are the priority.
We monitor the disc temperature on the YZF-R1 using a temperature-sensitive paint applied to the outer edge of the disc. We use three different paints that change color at specific temperatures: green at 430 degrees centigrade, orange at 560 degrees, and red, which only reacts and changes color when the disc surface reaches 610 degrees centigrade. After the races here, even the red paintwork had completely changed. We therefore raise the steel discs to more than 600 degrees…! The mechanics must be careful when the motorcycle returns to the box!
Finally, brake maintenance by the team is very important. After each session or race, the mechanics service the calipers, change the brake fluid and ensure that the pads and discs are in perfect condition.
Engine:
If we cannot control the water and engine temperatures of the R1, we risk losing power and creating reliability issues. With the air temperature being very high this is a problem, but this is amplified by the long straight where riders are looking for the best slipstream, meaning the bike doesn't get 'fresh' air.
Our R1 already uses the best possible water and oil radiators, so there is no easy improvement in this area. We could improve airflow by removing the guards that are on the radiator surfaces, but if a stone were to pierce either radiator it could compromise safety for our driver and our competitors. So, that's not really an option.
We therefore focus as much as possible on the inlet and outlet of air in the radiators. The team ensures that the fairing is closed as tightly as possible around the area where the air enters the radiators, and we have made modifications to the bodywork, within the limits permitted by the regulations, to help the higher volumes of air to exit the engine compartment. It may not be the best for aerodynamic performance, but cooling is the highest priority here.
Additionally, the team must ensure that the water in the cooling system is completely free of air bubbles, and we change the Motul 300v oil very regularly due to the extreme temperatures it must withstand. So, we can help the Yamaha R1 Pata survive this extreme ordeal and aim for the podium! »
Source: Yamaha racing
