Suppose Dorna adopt a control tire that uses a substantially harder compound.
I believe it would solve no fewer than 10 problems in motogp.
They are:
1. Cornering g's
2. Top speeds
3. The request of narrower tires
4. Emaciated midget riders
5. Parity of equipment
6. Fuel restrictions
7. Wheelie and braking electronic controls
8. One line racing/one style riding
9. Low viewership
10. Circuit runoff/rider injuries
Problem 1: Corner speed g's.
Solution: It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out how this would be fixed by hard control tire compounds.
Problem 2: Top speed
Solution: Back in the 990 days the manufacturers aimed for 340kph because it was believed that this was the optimal speed. Above 340 was somewhat wasteful because the braking distances were so long it cut into accelerating distance. So if we have a control tire and 990cc do we even need top speed governance. If the compounds are hard enough and corner speeds come down, it seems that it wouldn't be necessary because breaking distance would start eating away at accelerating distance. Furthermore, tracks with long straights are already being cut from the calendar and replaced with shorter straight tracks (no China, new Hungary).
Problem 3: Narrower tires
Solution: you don't need narrower tires if they make the compounds hard enough.
Problem 4: Emaciated, midget riders
Solution: If the compounds are designed to last past race distance riders won't have to be sickly, emaciated midgets.
Problem 5: Parity of equipment
Solution: so much emphasis has been put on the bike manufacturer, but if anything Rossi/Yamaha have proved that parity of tires is more important over the course of a season. Control tires will put everyone on the same rubber
Problem 6: Fuel restrictions
Soluation: Fuel restrictions are killing the sport. They were instituted to reduce power. Dorna needed to reduce power because the tires were capable of unleashing more and more every year. If a control tire controls the amount of power that gets to the ground does it matter how much raw power a bike can produce?
Problem 7: Wheelie control/ braking control
Solution: A lot of riders clamor for less electronics and more safety. If the tires are harder it seems the bikes will be less prone to front flips and less prone to violent wheelies. In theory, this should eliminate the intrusion of electronics. It may end the push for control guards.
Problem 8: One racing line, One riding style
Solution: In theory, if the tires are designed to provide good grip past race distance riders can employ them in many ways. They can ride rear wheel and slide the bike around, or they can ride front wheel and try to nip inside under breaking then carry the speed through the corner.
It will be nice to see both styles again.
Problem 9: Low viewership
Solution: Hard compounds means SLIDES
I want to watch the premier class and think to myself, "thank God I chose accounting".
Problem 10: Circuit runoff/rider injury
Solution: a control tire should, in theory, slow the increase in speeds in a way that allows track owners and DORNA time to adapt. DORNA can require tracks to increase runoff before the end of the next decade, while issuing contracts for development of new rider safety equipment (personally, I'm intrigued by the airbag leathers).
Obviously, a control tire with 990cc capacity and no throttle by wire would be the holy grail. It seems that the riders and DORNA are becoming anxious to dethrone the manufacturers. It will be interesting to see what happens. Let's hope for the best.
They are:
1. Cornering g's
2. Top speeds
3. The request of narrower tires
4. Emaciated midget riders
5. Parity of equipment
6. Fuel restrictions
7. Wheelie and braking electronic controls
8. One line racing/one style riding
9. Low viewership
10. Circuit runoff/rider injuries
Problem 1: Corner speed g's.
Solution: It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out how this would be fixed by hard control tire compounds.
Problem 2: Top speed
Solution: Back in the 990 days the manufacturers aimed for 340kph because it was believed that this was the optimal speed. Above 340 was somewhat wasteful because the braking distances were so long it cut into accelerating distance. So if we have a control tire and 990cc do we even need top speed governance. If the compounds are hard enough and corner speeds come down, it seems that it wouldn't be necessary because breaking distance would start eating away at accelerating distance. Furthermore, tracks with long straights are already being cut from the calendar and replaced with shorter straight tracks (no China, new Hungary).
Problem 3: Narrower tires
Solution: you don't need narrower tires if they make the compounds hard enough.
Problem 4: Emaciated, midget riders
Solution: If the compounds are designed to last past race distance riders won't have to be sickly, emaciated midgets.
Problem 5: Parity of equipment
Solution: so much emphasis has been put on the bike manufacturer, but if anything Rossi/Yamaha have proved that parity of tires is more important over the course of a season. Control tires will put everyone on the same rubber
Problem 6: Fuel restrictions
Soluation: Fuel restrictions are killing the sport. They were instituted to reduce power. Dorna needed to reduce power because the tires were capable of unleashing more and more every year. If a control tire controls the amount of power that gets to the ground does it matter how much raw power a bike can produce?
Problem 7: Wheelie control/ braking control
Solution: A lot of riders clamor for less electronics and more safety. If the tires are harder it seems the bikes will be less prone to front flips and less prone to violent wheelies. In theory, this should eliminate the intrusion of electronics. It may end the push for control guards.
Problem 8: One racing line, One riding style
Solution: In theory, if the tires are designed to provide good grip past race distance riders can employ them in many ways. They can ride rear wheel and slide the bike around, or they can ride front wheel and try to nip inside under breaking then carry the speed through the corner.
Problem 9: Low viewership
Solution: Hard compounds means SLIDES
Problem 10: Circuit runoff/rider injury
Solution: a control tire should, in theory, slow the increase in speeds in a way that allows track owners and DORNA time to adapt. DORNA can require tracks to increase runoff before the end of the next decade, while issuing contracts for development of new rider safety equipment (personally, I'm intrigued by the airbag leathers).
Obviously, a control tire with 990cc capacity and no throttle by wire would be the holy grail. It seems that the riders and DORNA are becoming anxious to dethrone the manufacturers. It will be interesting to see what happens. Let's hope for the best.
