INTERVIEW
MSD:
Drivers are constantly reminded of
track limits during briefings. Is this something
the circuits discuss with you?
Roadgrip
: The run-off design process is often
a joint project, with the track ultimately decid-
ing on the design. Our job is to advise on
what is practically possible from a
painting/design point of view. The legislative
element is the client’s responsibility.
MSD:
Most racers hate running wide – is
there a lack of grip on these run-off areas?
Roadgrip
: Any painting on track and run-off
areas has to be FIA and FIM approved. It has
an aggregate incorporated into it to ensure
good friction, especially when wet. Gener-
ally, the racing line has the best friction char-
acteristics as it gets scoured by the tyres. In
Singapore we spend a week prior to the race
deep cleaning the track surface with our
42,000 psi (pounds per square inch) Trackjet
water jetting machine. This is done largely
because it is a street circuit and to remove
contamination. The process, though, does
improve and even out the friction across the
track, which hopefully has the effect of creat-
ing more opportunity to overtake by getting
better grip across the track profile.
MSD:
The Trackjet system removes all rubber
and keeps the circuit clean, but a local dri-
ver's knowledge has always been key to find-
ing maximum grip levels. So, how much
does this affect the racing lines?
Roadgrip
: Trackjet can considerably improve
the grip level on a circuit. It is, of course, a
matter of debate as to whether this is a good
thing and takes away the element of local
knowledge. Personally, I like the idea of creat-
ing a "green" track surface, which could allow
for more overtaking opportunities on a circuit.
MSD:
Are circuit markings something we will
see more of around UK circuits and do you
think gravel traps will become a thing of the
past?
Roadgrip
: Where space allows, we have seen
a gradual move away from gravel traps,
although they still remain the best way of safely
arresting motorcycles when they come off.
MSD:
How would circuits like Brands Hatch
and Snetterton benefit, considering their lim-
ited run-off areas? Is grass an option?
Roadgrip
: We can design anything in to make
use of run-off space, whatever the size.
Smaller circuits could consider using these
spaces as advertising space and creating a
revenue stream for themselves.
MSD:
What circuits will we see you at next
year and are there any new noteworthy
developments to speak of for 2015?
Roadgrip
: I hope that we will return to the
same circuits in 2015. We are, of course, talk-
ing to others and we would hope to add one
or two more to the portfolio. I particularly
enjoy the challenges of street circuits;
Monaco would be a nice venue to become
involved with. Also, we are currently in talks
with a company that manufactures a robotic
paint machine that can quickly trace onto the
ground any design to a considerable degree
of intricacy. If the demand is there, we may
consider rolling this out in 2015.
Ranging from track marking
and cleaning, to friction
testing and run-off design,
racing circuits have to be
perfectly designed to satisfy
both safety and aesthetic
demands, as
MSD
found out
from Roadgrip, a company
that has applied its expertise
to racing circuits in the likes
of Abu Dhabi, Singapore,
Bahrain, Texas and the UK,
to name just a few.
On your
marks
…
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