MotoGP – Dainese Airbag is (almost) ready for use in MotoGP –

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The Dainese Airbag is (almost) ready for use in MotoGP

MotoGP - Dainese Airbag is (almost) ready for use in MotoGP -

After thirteen years of research, the Airbag project integrated into the Dainese pilots’ suit is reaching maturity: Lorenzo and Rossi wore the D-air at the Donington GP tests … but were unable to use it in race because of the rain !

Officially presented and tested during the last Grand Prix of the 2007 season in Valence (read), the D-air, an airbag integrated into the aerodynamic bump of Dainese suits, has since continued its delicate development within the R&D department of the famous Italian manufacturer.

Launched in 1996, this ambitious project works through a mini-processor which interprets the data recorded by on-board gyroscopes and accelerometers, and which decides whether or not to trigger the airbag..

Clearly, the device is autonomous, does not require a cable to be triggered in the event of separation of the pilot and the machine and would be able to differentiate between the forces exerted by a brutal deceleration (in Mugello for example, the pilots go from 320 to 105 km / h at the end of the straight line in just 350 meters!) and a fall. Would Dainese have the ideal solution to effectively protect the upper body of bikers (shoulders, neck and collarbones mainly) ?

Lorenzo: "I feel more secure with"

Not quite in reality, as demonstrated by the delay in the generalization of the concept: ultra-complicated to refine and slightly bulky, the D-air required some adjustments before it could be adopted by the pilots, then possibly by the average biker..

But it seems that Dainese has taken a new step and that his system is now almost perfect: fierce contender for the world crown, the Spaniard Jorge Lorenzo would use it since the Sachsenring Grand Prix, while his teammate Valentino Rossi wore it. during the tests of the next GP at Donington (read).

Well cooled by his large bowl during qualifying for the Laguna Seca race, the Mallorcan chose to adopt the device, just to avoid finding himself in a cast from top to bottom as during his first MotoGP season in 2008 !

"I am very proud to participate in the D-air system development project and I think this is a very important innovation", thus affirms the n ° 99:"after the fall of Laguna Seca I had no doubts that it was high time to use the new suit, certainly safer than the standard suit. Dainese has made great strides in the development of the system, but we pilots can help refine the prototype: we can’t stop! As with every novelty, it also takes time to get used to wearing the new suit, but I feel a lot more secure with the system active and that is the most important thing".

Next "with interest", according to Dainese, the development of the project, Valentino Rossi also decided to adopt the D-air, although contrary to what could be argued, the Italian did not wear it during Sunday’s race! D ” moreover, our most observant readers will not fail to point out, that a priori, neither Lorenzo, since the two Yamaha riders tested the asphalt during the race, without triggering any device !

Asked by Site, Dainese has indeed just confirmed that indeed the two rivals for the world title were finally forced to give up wearing the D-air on race day … because of the weather conditions! On the starting grid, in fact, few were those to predict whether or not the rain would fall on the English track or not. !

However, in the event of rain, an over-drysuit is slipped over the leather suit and although the new D-air is less bulky, more comfortable and 20% lighter than its predecessor, its deployment is hampered by this transparent over-combination! In addition, Dainese has gone to great lengths to integrate his device, in order to facilitate its removal after activation: it is the suit itself that deploys, thus allowing the pilot to quickly remove the cushion which deflates automatically after falling.

But with an over-suit, Valentino Rossi for example, would have had to fight hard to get rid of his Airbag after his slip during the GP of England, which would undoubtedly have deprived him of his nice comeback to fifth place. final !

Dainese is working on a dry leather suit

To overcome this problem, Dainese has therefore confirmed the arrival of a new kind of suit: "an innovative garment that combines ventilated and water-repellent kangaroo leather with the Gore-Tex membrane", explains the brand founded by Lino Dainese.

A mixture that has already proven its worth on clothing suitable for road use, but whose adoption on racing suits will be a great first for the brand: the mechanical resistance and anti-abrasion characteristics of kangaroo leather will thus be preserved, while a layer ensuring waterproofness and breathability will be added.

"With this new leather suit associated with Gore-Tex, the airbag device can be easily used in all atmospheric conditions, guaranteeing a high level of protection.", certifies Dainese.

Therefore, the generalization of D-air in MotoGP should only be a matter of time, well helped in this by the feedback of all the pilots participating in the development of the Dainese Airbag, such as Marco Simoncelli and Thomas Luthi in 250 cc and Michael Ranseder in 125 cc.

Alexandre BARDIN – Photos DR

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