Airfences in focus at Laguna Seca

Airfences have become de rigueur safety barriers in motorcycle racing both in America and at several MotoGP venues –a far cry from the days of hay bales and solid walls. Those that have created memorable images and prevented serious injury most recently have been those at Sachsenring in Germany (which certainly lessened the effects of Dani Pedrosa´s eventual halt after sliding into the gravel) and Laguna Seca, the scene of the Red Bull U.S. Grand Prix.

Friday´s afternoon practice session drew particular attention to the airfences, which protected Kawasaki´s Anthony West when he took a high-speed lowside that sent him careering off track. The red flag was waved, but the only damage had been to the protective barrier doing its job of cushioning the impact.

In this video feature, Franco Uncini from the IRTA explains the benefits of the airfences used at the Red Bull U.S. Grand Prix.