Motegi MotoGP: big braking needs huge discs

9/27/2023

 After the Indian GP, MotoGP will be moving even further east to Japan.

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After the Indian GP, MotoGP will be moving even further east to Japan. The Mobility Resort Motegi, once known as the Twin Ring Motegi, has hosted the World Championship since 1999, but due to the Covid-19 pandemic which prevented the event from being held in 2020 and 2021, this year it will be hosting the GP for the 23rd time.

According to the Brembo technicians who work closely with all the 22 premium class riders, the Japanese track is one of the most demanding circuits on the brakes. On a scale of 1 to 6, it is rated 6 on the difficulty index because of a series of corners which must be taken on in 2nd gear which prevents the discs from cooling between one braking moment and the next.



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The huge Brembo disc for Motegi

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To tackle the MotoGP circuits that are the most demanding on the brake system, last year Brembo added 355 mm (14") diameter carbon fiber ventilated discs to its 340 mm (133/8") ones. The satisfaction shown by the riders confirmed the results of the tests performed both on the test bench and on the track.

This innovation confirms Brembo’s calling to safety, which has always gone hand in hand with performance and reliability so that riders are offered the best technical solutions. Brembo also gives riders the chance to personalize their motorbike brake systems according to their riding style, track characteristics and race strategy.

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One metric ton!

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The brakes are used on ten of the 14 turns at Montegi for a total 38 seconds per lap, amounting to 37% of the entire GP: Argentina is the only track with a higher percentage even if both tracks are virtually the same length with a difference of just 5 meters (5.5 yards) between them.

In Japan the MotoGPs use a road circuit which has only a few fast corners and 7 corners which have to be taken on at a speed of less than 100 km/h (62.1 mph). Then there are 4 turns that have a braking distance of at least 235 meters (771 feet), 3 of which are in the first 5 turns. Summing up all of the forces applied by a rider on the Brembo brake lever from start to finish, the total comes to over 1 metric ton (1.1 t).

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6 kg (13.2 lb) and 6 seconds for the top turn

Of the 10 braking sections on the circuit, 4 are classified as very demanding on the brakes, 1 is of medium difficulty, and the remaining 5 are light.

The 90-degree turn 11 puts the most stress on the brake system: the MotoGPs come onto it at 309 km/h (192 mph) and brake for the 6.2 seconds needed to reduce their speed to 74 km/h (46 mph).

In this period of time, the riders apply 6.2 kg (13.7 lb) of pressure to the brake lever as the bikes cover a distance of 295 meters (968 feet) and the pressure of the brake fluid increases to 12 bar.

 

And what about the video games?


Taking on turn 11 in the Japanese GP in the MotoGP video game is not easy because there aren’t many points of reference.

Start braking just before you reach the blue and white curb on the left-hand side. Move down into 2nd gear and once you have gone past the last billboard at ground level, lean into the corner.

Some prefer to go into 1st gear; what is important is that you do not overrun the turn because you may end up going up onto the green area and risk penalties.