6.8 seconds for a MotoGP braking operation in Austin

4/5/2022

Braking system use at the Circuit of the Americas and the Brembo supply for the Customs

From South to North American in the space of one week. MotoGP heads to the USA to race for the ninth time at the Circuit of the Americas. According to the Brembo technicians who work closely with all the MotoGP World Championship riders, the Texan circuit is a moderately demanding circuit for brakes.

On a scale of one to five, it earns a three on the difficulty index.The Austin track underwent significant work in January with surface reinforcement and new asphalt in the first and third sector. This means that the bumps will be less evident with obvious advantages in braking as well thanks to greater grip.

From MotoGP to King of the Baggers

This year, Brembo will once again supply custom braking systems to all 24 MotoGP riders. The supply also extends to the Moto2 and Moto3 teams. One hundred percent of the riders in the two categories use Brembo calipers, ninety percent use the master cylinders, eighty percent use the pads, and fifty percent use the steel discs.

As of this year, Brembo also supplies their systems to the bikes that race in MotoAmerica King of the Baggers category. In order to improve braking and ensure consistent performance throughout the entire race, these cruisers equipped with saddlebags, enormous windshields, and a minimum weight of 281 kg (620 lbs) use GP4-RR calipers, PISTABASSA discs, Z04 pads, and RMC BilletGP master cylinders.

Record-breaking Brembo discs for road bikes

Harley-Davidson or Indian owners, or even owners of baggers from other manufacturers who don’t use them on the track have different needs. For all of them, a range of Upgrade products called “Custom” is available which revolves around the RCS master cylinder, also in the RCS Corsa Corta version, both equipped with the Brembo patented lever adjustment system.

To improve braking comfort and performance, in addition to reinforcing the character of the bike, the factory calipers can be replaced with .484 calipers in billet racing aluminum. The brake discs can contribute to the overall look of the bike, starting with the Black 11” which, having a housing in different material, are also not as vulnerable to thermal mechanical stress.

Found out more about the Brembo Upgrade range.

Ten braking sections for a total of 37 seconds

MotoGP riders use the brakes 10 times every lap, the same number as at Portimão which, however, is almost a full km (0.62 miles) shorter. The brakes are squeezed at the Circuit of the Americas for 37 seconds per lap. Only Silverstone and Sepang with 38 seconds and Losail with 40 seconds boast a higher number.

The track alternates between high speeds, with two sections that exceed 300 km/h (186 mph), and slow turns. Six of these are tackled at less than 100 km/h (62 mph). Even the times on the brakes vary significantly, with values that range from 1.5 and 6.8 seconds. From the starting line to the checkered flag, each rider exerts a total load of almost 10 quintals (1.1 tons) on the brake lever.

Less than 274 km/h (170 mph) in 6.8 seconds 

Of the ten braking sections at Circuit of the Americas, three are classified as demanding on the brakes, three others are of medium difficulty, and the remaining four pose only a light challenge on the braking systems.

The toughest of all is at turn 12. The bikes reach 339 km/h (211 mph) and brake for 6.8 seconds to drop to 65 km/h (40 mph). The 323 meters (1060 feet) of braking constitute a force of 5.6 kg (12.3 lbs) on the lever and deceleration of 1.5 Gs, whereas the pressure of the Brembo HTC 64T brake fluid reaches 12.1 bar (175.5 psi).

And in the video games?

In order to tackle turn 12 of the Circuit of the Americas correctly in the MotoGP videogame, it takes a cool head and the right timing. Braking should begin about one second after passing under the large advertisement overpass. While staying on the right side, don’t get too close to the curb otherwise you may hit it if the rear wheel locks up. Downshift all the way through the gears, move to the left to dive into the turn and then bring it back outside as you come out of it.