Fuji gets technical with his minder...
By TMX Archives on 8th Jun 07
TAKAHISA Fujinami took the world of trials to a new level at the first day of the Japanese Grand Prix, as he became the first ever rider to use a ship to shore' radio link between himself and his minder. The voice-activated system is available to all the Repsol Montesa HRC team, with both Bou and Dougie Lampkin having also tried the new device alongside Fujinami at recent European test sessions.
However, with only limited time to trial the new set-up behind closed doors, Fujinami took the decision to give its first competitive outing at his home Grand Prix in Motegi. The fully-adjustable microphone is clearly visible, but the compact receiving equipment is hidden deep inside the lining of the helmet. HRC personnel were reluctant to divulge the exact specification and further details about the two-way radio system.
With the FIM having introduced a new one minder rule for the 2007, it has quickly become apparent that it is near impossible for one minder to be at all the necessary spots in the sections to offer safety to their respective rider, whilst also being in the correct positions to administer centimetre-perfect instructions where needed to do so. This device will obviously assist with this problem, with the minder no longer needing to be within shouting distance of their rider, but instead they can now calmly guide their rider from more remote locations in the section
It will be both interesting to see if the rest of the top riders adopt this system, as this will only serve to add further expense to the sport and increase the gap over those riders who can ill-afford such luxuries.
Ironically the blue ribbon of motorcycle sport, namely MotoGP, where budgets stretch to infinity and beyond, does not allow the use of ship to shore' radios, unlike its four-wheel adversary F1 that has used such communication devices for many years.
However, judging by Bou's 31 mark advantage over Fujinami, maybe not everyone will see ship to shore' radio as being a vital winning necessity!