MotoGP’s governing body – the FIM – announced on Tuesday that front ride-height devices will be banned in the premier class from the start of the 2023 season.
Ducati came up with the innovation off the back of its rear ride-height manipulation system – also known as the hole-shot device due to its effectiveness from standing starts – for this season as other manufacturers began to introduce copies of their own, though several riders were concerned with the ever-increasing top speeds made possible by the devices.
The devices work by lowering the ride height of the bike to increase its aerodynamic efficiency, allowing it reach a higher top speed as well as accelerate faster – something also helped by the extra traction provided by the rear-device pushing the rear tyre into the ground.
Having been discussed in the MotoGP commission meeting at Lusail at the beginning of March, the decision has now been taken to ban the front-devices at the end of the current campaign – though the rear hole-shot devices will be allowed to be continually used going forward.
The official reasons for the ban given by the newly-released FIM document are to “prevent further performance increases (top speed) and further development cost increases.”
“During the meeting of the Commission held in Lusail on 4 March 2022 the Grand Prix Commission delegates were asked to consider two alternative proposals on this matter,” began the FIM document regarding the ban of the front ride-height device.
“Both had the objective of preventing further performance improvements and development cost increases. After consideration of the proposals the following regulation was approved unanimously.
“The use of any device that modifies or adjusts the motorcycle’s front ride height while it is moving is forbidden. The decision of the Technical Director will be final when determining what constitutes a front ride height device; devices that only operate one-shot at the race start (i.e. “holeshot” devices) are allowed.”
