planetearth
There Can Be Only One
Number of posts : 3271
Registration date : 2007-02-03
 |  Subject: Assen puts asphalt on Rossi crash site.  Thu Mar 29, 2007 11:32 pm | |
| - Quote :
- After the 2006 Dutch TT, the MotoGP Safety Commission - whose members include Valentino Rossi, Loris Capirossi and Kenny Roberts Jr. - requested the construction of extra asphalt run-off at selected points around the Assen circuit.
The run-off zones already installed - near the Haar bend and Ruskenhoek - had previously proved their value. For example, when Colin Edwards unsuccessfully tried to outbrake Nicky Hayden for the lead on the penultimate lap of last year's race, he was able to rejoin the circuit by riding through an asphalt run-off area. Previously, that area had been occupied by a gravel trap, which would have decided the race two laps early - meaning the dramatic last turn showdown would never have happened.
As a result of the Safety Commission request, further asphalt run-off areas have now been installed at five additional locations: the north loop, Haar bend Madijk and Ossebroeken, at the exit of the Strubben bend, the exit of the Bult, Meeuwenmeer and the Ramshoek - the bend where seven-times world champion Valentino Rossi fell during first free practice at the 2006 Dutch TT. After leaving the race track, the Italian 'dug-in' to the gravel trap - causing him to 'bounce' violently, sustaining hand and ankle fractures in the process.
It is hoped that by replacing part of the gravel traps with asphalt, such high-speed 'tumbling' by both riders and machines will be replaced by less harmful sliding, while riders that simply run wide will be able to regain control and rejoin the race more easily.
Gravel traps will still be present beyond the new asphalt run-off areas, to stop any riders and machines still out of control. In all corners where the new asphalt has been laid the sequence from race track to gravel trap will be: race track, kerbstones, artificial grass, water drainage, asphalt run-off and gravel.
The new asphalt strips will be fully complete in time for the first Open Dutch Championship race on Easter Monday. Crash | |
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andie
i can't keep crashing, can i?
Number of posts : 478
Registration date : 2007-02-04
| | Subject: Re: Assen puts asphalt on Rossi crash site. Thu Mar 29, 2007 11:53 pm | |
| that seems like a good idea, the less cause for injury the better. | |
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