MOTOGP – Circuit Stats and information

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JEREZ

Stats:
Length – 4423m
Longest straight – 600m
Left turns – 5
Right turns – 8
Width – 11m
Capacity – 250 000

Built in 1986 and hosting its first GP one year later, the circuit of Jerez is now one of the most popular MotoGP venues and the focal point for a city fanatical about sport. Set in a slight valley in the south of Spain, Jerez is blessed with consistently good weather and beautiful scenery, its numerous grandstands providing the perfect viewing facilities for up to 250 000 spectators. With 2 alternative road circuits (4423m and 4428m), which have been resurfaced during the off season, Jerez is a popular venue used by many race teams for testing throughout the year, whilst its recently updated corporate and media facilities have proven to be a popular addition to the complex. Other facilities such as the control tower and pit boxes have also been vastly improved.

LOSAIL

Stats:
Length – 5380 m
Longest straight – 1068m
Left turns – 6
Right turns – 10
Width – 12m

The fabulous Losail Intervnational circuit lies on the outskirts of Doha, the capital city of Qatar. Built in little over a year, the track cost $58 million USD and required round the clock dedication from almost 1000 workers in order for it to be ready for its inaugural event – the Malboro GP of Qatar 2004. It is a flowing layout of 5.4km surrounded by artificial grass designed to prevent sand from the neighbouring desert from blowing onto the circuit. The main straight is over 1 kilometre in length and there is a good mix of medium and high speed corners, including a couple of quick left-handers which proved popular with the riders.

ISTANBUL

stats:
Length – 5340m
Longest straight – 720m
Left turns – 8
Right turns – 6
Width – 21m

The track is located on the Asian side of Istanbul, and was designed by Herman Tilke, the architect behind a number of race tracks such as Sepang and Shangai. The circuit is composed of 13 curves, of which 6 are right and 7 left. The sharpest turn with a radius of 15m. The start and finish section 655.5m in length. The circuit runs over 4 level sections with rising and descending grades.

SHANGHAI

stats:
Length – 5281m
Longest straight – 1202m
Left turns – 7
Right turns – 7
Width – 14m

Shanghai hosted its first race just over 6 months ago but is already acknowledged as one of the most impressive race venues on earth. The track includes 2 very fast straights where bikes are expectedto exceed 199mph and a series of tight corners, including 2 right handers that take riders almost through 360 degrees.

LE MANS

stats:
Length – 4180m
Longest straight – 450m
Left turns – 4
Right turns – 9
Width – 13

Built in 1965 around the existing 24 hour track, the Le Mans Bugatti Grand Prix race circuit lie 5km south of the city of Le Mans. It is a tight track dominated by first gear corners that place the emphasis on late braking and hard acceleration, whilst rear end traction is also a key area.

MUGELLO

stats:
Total Length 5.245 m
Maximum width 14 m
Minimum width 9,60 m
Total length of straights 2.699 m
Total length of curves 2.546 m

There are 15 turns, 9 to the right and 6 to the left
Maximum gradient 9,5%
Total rise 41,19 m
Longest straight 1.141 m
Altitude above sea level 292 m

The total length of the track is 5,245 metres, divided almost equally between straights and curves, which represent 48,56% of the total. There are 15 turns, 9 of which to the right. The width of the track varies between 9,60 and 14 metres while the longest straight situated in front of the pits is 1,141 metres long. The circuit is located at 292 metres above sea level and has a total variance in altitude of 41.19 metres. This is a varied racetrack: its long straight, its chicane and its ups and downs make Mugello particularly suitable for all kind of technical testing, especially for engine and aerodynamics.
Mugello track is so various with its long straight, ‘esse’, up and down.It’s a circuit where it’s easy to test the aerodynamics , the engine, all, in a word.

CATALUNYA

stats:
Grand Prix track: 4.727 metres
National track: 3.067 metres
School track: 1.703 metres

The Circuit de Catalunya is one of the most modern tracks prepared to hold the most important motor racing competitions. Inaugurated in 1991, there are three different routes: the Grand Prix track, with 4.727 m; the National track, with 3.067 m; and the School track, with 1.703 m.

ASSEN

stats:
Length – 6027m
Longest straight – 970m
Left turns – 9
Right turns – 14
Width – 10m

As if a rain of bombs had fallen…this is what the TT Circuit Assen looks like. The asphalt ribbon, where the World Championship races were still being held some months ago, has changed into a desert of sand. Great big yellow power shovels are transforming the cathedral of motor sport into a disconsolate ruin. Unscrupulously, they dig their steel teeth into the holy asphalt, where legendary heroes such as Agostini, Read, Cecotto, Hartog and Streuer celebrated great triumphs. The North Loop is disappearing. Done and gone. One-half century of TT history is buried.

Time to linger there with the greatest northern motorcycle hero of all times, Egbert Streuer. On one of his favourite spots, between the Ossenbroeken and De Strubben curves, the three-time world champion sidecar driver of the Netherlands gives his opinion of the changes to the North Loop of the TT Circuit Assen.

Egbert Streuer opens: “That new North Loop is an asset, no doubt about it. There are a couple of difficult pitfalls for the riders. I understand that the upward slope was put in on the authority of the riders; it has a couple of fine curves. And this is fantastic for the public,” opens 2-time TT winner and 3-time sidecar world champion Egbert Streuer. “It’s becoming a bit like the Motodrome of Hockenheim. That is the finest piece of track ever. The new North Loop will become a sort of arena, where the public will have a fine opportunity to follow the race. I would definitely like to sit there.”

DONINGTON

stats:
Length – 4023m
Longest straight – 564m
Left turns – 4
Right turns – 7
Width – 10m

The circuit can justifiably claim to be Britain’s oldest and newest Grand Prix Circuit: opened in 1931 for motorcyle races and two years later for car action. It staged Grand Prix for both motorcycles and cars in the pre-war era. It was re-opened in 1977 and has staged the British Motorcyle Grand Prix annually since 1987. Hosted World Superbike races and also held the F1 Grand Prix of Europe in 1993.

SACHSENRING

stats:
Length – 3671m
Longest straight – 780m
Left turns – 10
Right turns – 4
Width – 10m

Although mainly used as a driver training centre and road transport safety station, Sachsenring first hosted the MotoGP in 1998 and many improvements have taken place since then, including a drastic layout enhancement in 2001. Numerous tight corners make it one of the slower tracks on the calender but there is never any shortage of close racing action.

LAGUNA SECA
stats:
Length – 3610m
Longest straight – 966m
Left turns – 7
Right turns – 4
Width – 15m

The Californian track played host to the Grand Prix events from 1988 to 1994 but advancement in MotoGP racing machines required the event be moved elsewhere whilst the track was modified and adapted to meet present day safety requirements. The modernisation has included an expanded exit lane, replacement of the kerbs and part of the main straight has also been widened. The circuits principle features, however, remain the same, with 3,58km of track and 11 curves.

BRNO

stats:
Length: 5 403,19m (in track axis)
Width: 15,00m
Corners: 14 (6 left, 8 right)

The newer circuit at Brno is built in a natural bowl which is banked in places to offer spectators spectacular views. It constantly changes in elevation as it sweeps across forested hillsides and its fast undulating corners test rider talent and engineering to the limit.

SEPANG

stats:
Length – 5548m
Longest straight – 920m
Left turns – 5
Right turns – 10
Width – 25m

Specifically built for speed and exciting racing, the Sepang International Circuit in Malaysia is one of the worlds best. With 4 slow corners following long straights and 10 medium to high speed corners, the wide track is particularly favourable to overtaking manoeuvres and plenty of open throttle.

PHILLIP ISLAND

stats:
Length – 4448m
Longest straight – 900m
Left turns – 7
Right turns – 5
Width – 13m

The Phillip Island circuit is blessed with breathtaking scenery and beautiful ocean views, and as one of the fastest, most fluid tracks on the calender, it continues to provide some of the most spectacular racing in the MotoGP season.

MONTEGI

stats:
Length – 4801m
Longest straight – 762m
Left turns – 6
Right turns – 8
Width – 15m

The twin ring circuit consists of a 1.5 mile oval and a 2.9 mile road course constructed to international standards. Built by Honda as the ultimate test facility in August 1997, the road circuit became home to MotoGP in 2000.

ESTORIL

stats:
Length – 4182m
Longest straight – 986m
Left turns – 4
Right turns – 9
Width – 14m

One of the trickiest tracks on the GP calender, Estoril combines long, constant radius corners with heavy braking zones, bumpy straights and a difficult chicane which was added to the back section in 1994. Its geographical position means that weather can be unpredictable, although its generally warm, dry nature makes it a regular choice for IRTA pre season testing sessions.

VALENCIA

stats:

Length – 4005m
Longest straight – 876m
Left turns – 9
Right turns – 5
Width – 12m

The track has several layouts, running anticlockwise and of varying lengths. The MotoGP events are held on the 4km track comprising of 5 right handed corners, eight left handers and a 650m straight. The circuit layout helps to create a unique atmosphere enjoyed by Spanish and international riders alike.

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