About MotoGP

The testing of MotoGP machinery is an absolutely crucial part of the preparation process for the teams involved in all three MotoGP categories.

Scheduled test sessions at designated circuits in various parts of the world allow teams to test new machinery, collect crucial performance data, gather information about specific venues, try new tyres, undertake race simulations, try out new set-ups and resolve problems with existing machinery.

For the rider, tests also allow them to become accustomed to new machinery, gain experience of riding at the designated venues, improve or maintain fitness levels and familiarise themselves with new colleagues if they have recently moved to a new team.

Winter Testing

In addition to test days after various Grands Prix throughout the calendar, the winter is an important testing period for the teams. There is an almost two month long ban on any on-track testing for December and most of January, but the months of November and February are vital development periods for MotoGP.

Valencia (after the final race of the year), Sepang (Malaysia), Jerez in southern Spain, Australia's Phillip Island and the now floodlit Losail International Circuit in Qatar are regular test venues, providing an array of challenges and demands for the riders.

Indeed the selection of testing venues by IRTA and Dorna (see Governing Bodies section) is designed to give the teams and the tyre suppliers a good all-round variation in terms of track layouts and the locations are intended to provide clear, dry weather - as rain hindered practice runs are not generally as useful to teams as dry sessions.

Regulations

The following important regulations apply to testing:

The Season is defined as the period starting 13 days before the first race of the year and ending four days after the last race of the year, both dates being inclusive. The Season does not include Breaks. A Break is defined as two consecutive week-ends where events are not scheduled. The period of the Break extends from 09h00 on the fourth day after the Grand Prix until the following Grand Prix.

The Winter is defined as the rest of the year, i.e. starting 5 days after the last race of the season and ending 14 days before the first race of the subsequent season, both dates being inclusive. The Winter does not include the Pause. The Pause is a period starting on the 1st December of one year and finishing on the 20th January of the following year, both dates being inclusive.

Practice with machines eligible for the MotoGP class is forbidden:

• i) During the Season at any circuit included in the Grand Prix calendar of the current year with the following exceptions:
• a) Practice included in the schedule of the Events.
• b) Practice during the three days immediately following an event at the circuit at which the event has taken place.
• c) Any activity authorised by the Race Direction.
• d) Manufacturers and constructors who supply machines to the MotoGP class may, before the 20th January of each year, designate and inform the Race Direction of one Grand Prix circuit as their testing circuit at which they may practice during the Season and during the Breaks with their MotoGP class machines during a maximum of 30 days or part thereof, but not with their designated riders or with riders designated by other teams and not as from 14 days before the race scheduled for that circuit. The schedule of such tests and any subsequent amendments must be notified to the Race Direction.

• ii) During the `Winter´ at any circuit with the following exceptions:
• a) At a maximum of seven official tests organised by Dorna/IRTA at Grand Prix circuits included in the calendars of the preceding or following year, each test being of maximum three days duration.
• b) At any circuit not included in the Grand Prix calendar of the preceding or following year.
• c) Manufacturers and constructors who supply machines to the MotoGP class may, before the conclusion of the last event of each year, designate and inform the Race Direction of one Grand Prix circuit as their testing circuit at which they may practice during the Winter with their MotoGP class machines at any time, excluding during the Pause.
• d) Furthermore, during the Winter, no single rider may participate in more than eight tests, each of a maximum of three days, at any circuits.

Similar practice restrictions also exist for the 125cc and 250cc classes.

New Tyre Testing Regulations

Taking into account the requirements of tyre suppliers in terms of new tracks being introduced to the MotoGP calendar (e.g. Indianapolis in 2008), the following new rules were introduced to the testing regulations during the 2008 preseason.

• a) Tyre companies competing in the MotoGP class can, prior to the start of the first race of the season, nominate one GP circuit on which they can test for a maximum of 4 days per year, at any time after the GP has been held at that particular circuit. No rider designated by any MotoGP team will be permitted to take part in these tests.
• b) Whenever a new circuit is introduced in the MotoGP calendar for the first time or whenever an existing circuit is totally resurfaced, then a tyre test of a maximum of 2 days of duration must be organised at that circuit a minimum of 4 weeks prior to the race. This test will be open to all tyre and motorcycle manufacturers competing in the MotoGP class, but no rider designated by a MotoGP team will be permitted to take part in these tests.