Moto3 to develop new accident warning system 'in race situations'

The latest rule changes announced by MotoGP's Grand Prix Commission included official confirmation that the new automatic accident warning system, to alert following riders of an incident ahead, will be developed in Moto3 'race situations' this season.

While the exact operation of the system, created in response to a series of tragic fatalities in the Moto3/SSP300 classes last season, is still to be explained, it is thought that once an accident has been detected, the rear rain lights of nearby machines will flash to help warn those arriving on the scene.

During normal wet weather use, rear rain lights are illuminated but do not flash. The MotoGP class tested the visibility of flashing rain lights in bright sunshine during Friday practice last year in Portimao. Most riders reported the flashing rain lights could still be seen, although some were easier to spot than others due to their location on the bike.

Additional warning lights, on the motorcycle and/or rider equipment, are also possible to maximise the effectiveness of the new warning system.

'To facilitate the introduction of an automatic warning system for riders approaching the scene of a crash, it will be necessary to make certain modifications to the electronics, including the enforcement and unification of the DellOrto 6-axis IMU and the BC-OUT_RL-300 power module from 2D," read a change to the 2023 Moto3 technical regulations.

'Modified equipment and systems will be effective from 2023. However, development of the technology will be carried out in race situations in 2022.'

The 'enforcement and unification' of the IMU (Inertial Measurement Unit, made up of gyroscopes and accelerometers) suggests it will be involved in the detection of an accident. 'Development of the technology' in race situations could range from data gathering to a full system test.

The current dashboard messaging system used in grand prix is one-way, meaning signals pass from Race Direction to the motorcycles. The new warning system will require modifying the communication infrastructure so that a signal can be transmitted out from a fallen bike either directly to other machines, or bounced via a nearby marshal post and/or Race Direction.

The brief for the new system was to create 'automatic, near-instant warning systems for all following riders/motorcycles… [that] must be applicable to Championships of all levels, including Talent Cups.'

While Moto3 will have modified equipment and systems 'effective' from 2023, a timeline has not yet been confirmed for Moto2, MotoGP and other two-wheel classes.

In a separate announcement, Moto2 and Moto3 teams will now be allowed to keep unused tyres from race events for training purposes, rather than returning them to Dunlop.

The decision has been made 'due to the impossibility of determining the source and specification of racing tyres used by riders for training with non-GP specification machines'.

It also means 'teams will only receive brand new tyres in their allocation for events. No tyres will have been previously allocated and possibly been subjected to tyre warming'.