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Run-off area
A run-off area is an area on a motorsport race track used for racer safety. Run-off areas are usually located along a road racing circuit where racers are most likely to unintentionally depart from the prescribed course. There are different types of run off areas, like gravel trap, AstroTurf, and tarmac. Run-off areas are an alternative to catch fences.
In motorsports racing, there is a concept called the racing line. This is defined in lay terms as the optimal path around a race course that will allow the racer to complete a lap in the least possible time with the highest possible average speed. The racing line is a function of the track's layout and the combination of a particular type of racing vehicle's (such as a car versus a motorcycle) capabilities, and the physics of motor racing.
Because the physics involved in a motorsports event generally propel the racing vehicles along a certain path, and since the racers tend to work with the forces acting on the vehicle and make course changes while not suddenly confronting the forces in play on the vehicle, their locations at certain points along the track can be predicted and their course of travel extrapolated. As a result, in areas where a vehicle is more likely to depart the course (e.g., around the outside of a corner as opposed to alongside a straight-away), course designers will place a run-off area.
Race tracks have evolved over the years, as have motorsports in general, and through the concerted efforts of certain racers and supporting organizations, safety has become a top priority amongst race organizing constituents such as sanctioning leagues, sponsors, tracks, and team owners. Prior to safety being brought to the forefront of the racing world's consciousness, it was often an afterthought and many racers were injured or lost their lives due to accidents that were preventable.
One such example is when World Champion motorcycle racer Wayne Rainey crashed in the 1993 Italian motorcycle Grand Prix at Misano World Circuit that would eventually leave him paralyzed from the chest down. In that particular accident he rode slightly too aggressively into a turn and crashed. As he slid into the run-off area's gravel trap, he suffered a broken back. In that particular case the gravel trap had been raked in an effort to more quickly dissipate the kinetic energy of off-course cars. The change was unfortunately left in place for the motorcycle race in which Rainey suffered his back injury.
Another example is the introduction of the air fence. The air fence performs similarly to the air bag in a commercial passenger vehicle, except that rather than inflating upon impact, it is pre-inflated. By acting as a soft, energy-absorbing barrier, air fences can be placed over hard obstacles around tracks that racers might encounter in the course of an accident. With an air fence in place, the racer has a much better chance of sustaining fewer injuries than if he were to simply hit the object without any buffer. Air fences are especially important (and more widely used) in motorcycle road racing.
Run-off areas are an important safety feature of modern motorsports parks and road courses. They are the basis for several other safety features, such as gravel traps and air fences, which could not be placed anywhere, or would be ineffective without a proper run-off area.
When being interviewed about race tracks and what features they like and dislike, many top professional racers will mention the availability, design, and size of the run-off areas of a certain track. Knowing that they are very safe gives them added peace of mind and allows them to push the limits further, since they have less fear of the consequences of making a mistake.
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Run-off area AI simulator
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Run-off area
A run-off area is an area on a motorsport race track used for racer safety. Run-off areas are usually located along a road racing circuit where racers are most likely to unintentionally depart from the prescribed course. There are different types of run off areas, like gravel trap, AstroTurf, and tarmac. Run-off areas are an alternative to catch fences.
In motorsports racing, there is a concept called the racing line. This is defined in lay terms as the optimal path around a race course that will allow the racer to complete a lap in the least possible time with the highest possible average speed. The racing line is a function of the track's layout and the combination of a particular type of racing vehicle's (such as a car versus a motorcycle) capabilities, and the physics of motor racing.
Because the physics involved in a motorsports event generally propel the racing vehicles along a certain path, and since the racers tend to work with the forces acting on the vehicle and make course changes while not suddenly confronting the forces in play on the vehicle, their locations at certain points along the track can be predicted and their course of travel extrapolated. As a result, in areas where a vehicle is more likely to depart the course (e.g., around the outside of a corner as opposed to alongside a straight-away), course designers will place a run-off area.
Race tracks have evolved over the years, as have motorsports in general, and through the concerted efforts of certain racers and supporting organizations, safety has become a top priority amongst race organizing constituents such as sanctioning leagues, sponsors, tracks, and team owners. Prior to safety being brought to the forefront of the racing world's consciousness, it was often an afterthought and many racers were injured or lost their lives due to accidents that were preventable.
One such example is when World Champion motorcycle racer Wayne Rainey crashed in the 1993 Italian motorcycle Grand Prix at Misano World Circuit that would eventually leave him paralyzed from the chest down. In that particular accident he rode slightly too aggressively into a turn and crashed. As he slid into the run-off area's gravel trap, he suffered a broken back. In that particular case the gravel trap had been raked in an effort to more quickly dissipate the kinetic energy of off-course cars. The change was unfortunately left in place for the motorcycle race in which Rainey suffered his back injury.
Another example is the introduction of the air fence. The air fence performs similarly to the air bag in a commercial passenger vehicle, except that rather than inflating upon impact, it is pre-inflated. By acting as a soft, energy-absorbing barrier, air fences can be placed over hard obstacles around tracks that racers might encounter in the course of an accident. With an air fence in place, the racer has a much better chance of sustaining fewer injuries than if he were to simply hit the object without any buffer. Air fences are especially important (and more widely used) in motorcycle road racing.
Run-off areas are an important safety feature of modern motorsports parks and road courses. They are the basis for several other safety features, such as gravel traps and air fences, which could not be placed anywhere, or would be ineffective without a proper run-off area.
When being interviewed about race tracks and what features they like and dislike, many top professional racers will mention the availability, design, and size of the run-off areas of a certain track. Knowing that they are very safe gives them added peace of mind and allows them to push the limits further, since they have less fear of the consequences of making a mistake.