Grand Prix
The term Grand Prix refers to the entire MotoGP race weekend including Friday practices, Saturday practices, qualifying and the Tissot Sprint and Sunday’s races. There are 22 Grands Prix on the MotoGP™ calendar. Sunday’s full length races in the premier class are also referred to as the Grand Prix, distinguishing them from the Sprint.
Grand Prix Commission
A panel composed of members of the FIM, Dorna, IRTA and the MSMA, which agrees the rules of MotoGP™, known formally as the FIM Grand Prix World Championship Regulations.
Grand Prix schedule
The Grand Prix schedule refers to the timings of the on-track sessions and races and official off-track activities at each race event. On Thursday at a Grand Prix a Pre-Event Press Conference is held, then on Fridays fans can enjoy the Free Practice 1 in the morning followed by Practice in the afternoon. On Saturdays there is Free Practice 2, followed by the Q1 and Q2 (qualifying) sessions, before the Tissot Sprint in the premier class. On Sundays, it's race day for MotoGP, Moto2 and Moto3!
Hole shot
The hole shot refers to leading the race at the first corner. The riders start the race on the starting grid on the start-finish straight and blast off heading down the straight to the first corner. The rider who leads the race in first position at the first corner - or just out of it - is said to have taken the hole shot.
Homologation
Homologation refers to the testing and certification protocol for motorcycles, circuits, and related equipment (such as helmets) to meet requisite technical standards to be used in MotoGP. Homologation is carried out by the FIM.
Highside
A highside refers to a crash in which the rear wheel loses grip and slips on the track surface, before suddenly regaining traction, which has the affect of flipping the bike upwards as the grip is gone and then suddenly regained. Highsides can often be spectacular, resulting in both the bike and rider taking flight before hitting the ground again. Lowsides, meanwhile, see the front and/or rear end lose grip and the bike and rider slide out.
Independent Team
The non-factory teams in the World Championship are referred to as Independent Teams. These teams are typically one step removed from the manufacturer and operate by buying or leasing the bikes from the factories. In nearly all cases nowadays though, they do have close factory support - whether that be engineers from the factory working with them, or the same new parts as the main team.
IRTA
IRTA (International Road-Racing Teams Association) was formed in 1986 and represents all of the Grand Prix teams as a collective voice. The Grand Prix Commission, comprises members of the FIM, Dorna Sports (organiser and rights holder of MotoGP), IRTA and the MSMA (Motorcycle Sport Manufacturers Association).
Jump start
A jump start means a rider has moved forward off the starting position on the grid before the official race start is given. Even if it's a few milimmetres, it's a jump start. When a rider jump starts before the starting lights give the start signal a penalty is incurred. The rules state: “For anticipating the start (jump start) the standard penalty is two Long Lap Penalties.”
Lap chart
The timing sheet produced at the end of a race (or Tissot Sprint), which documents the respective positions of each rider at the end of each lap.
Lap record
The all-time lap record for a circuit is the fastest lap time ever recorded at the track at a Grand Prix, whether that be in practice, qualifying or the race.
Lean angle
Lean angle refers to the angle at which the bike is tipped over by a rider when cornering. The almost incomprehensible lean angles of more than 65º in MotoGP™ are one of the elements which make it the most exciting sport on earth, with the riders regularly getting their knees, elbows and even shoulders down into contact with the track surface.
Long lap penalty
A long lap penalty means the rider must go through an extension added to the track, normally losing them around 2-4 seconds, which can cost them a position, or several positions in some cases. Riders can also be given a double long lap penalty for certain infringements of the sporting regulations of MotoGP.
Lowside
A lowside crash means the rider has lost control of the front tyre and/or rear tyre and the bike falls on the low side of the lean angle. Lowsides can occur at both low and high speeds and are common in tricky conditions, such as wet races. A highside, meanwhile, refers to a crash in which the rear wheel loses grip and slips on the track surface, before suddenly regaining traction, which has the affect of flipping the bike upwards.