Soup :: 2006 Ilmor 800cc MotoGP Racer

2006 Ilmor 800cc MotoGP Racer
images by Wolf J. Flywheel

The Ilmor MotoGP racer made headlines this year when the much talked about project actually made it to the track—and raced. Rider Garry McCoy and the Ilmor crew stand proud while probably wondering, gee, where is the Motoczysz right now?	McCoy leaves the Estoril garages trailing smoke into the sun.	From the broad brush: the Ilmor MotoGP is much like the Kawasaki 990cc machine—narrow and with hard edges on all sides. Tail section shape—short—is wind tunnel derived. Teams are trying to get the air off the rider in the most efficient way possible and have found a short tail helps.	The Ilmor is powered by an 800cc V4 engine with pneumatic valves. Titanium exhaust and no muffler allow the Ilmor to bounce sound waves right at 130db. Exhaust ends shortly before the top of the swing-arm—probably another wind tunnel discovery. Note tire temp leads in fender housing and temp sticker on the swingarm. Nearly fully enclosed GP bikes get very hot and can transfer that heat to the chassis—never a good thing.
Standard MotoGP chassis—Deltabox-style if you will. Note carbon fiber piece under cowl mid-fairing. This piece has a couple of functions including adding torsional rigidity to the chassis. Latest generation Brembo brakes, Suter clutch, latest TT36 Ohlins gear. Note the Mayflower-sized radiator, with carbon blocking. Cooling tower keeps coolant running through the bike when it's turned off.	Try, with all your might, to resist the urge to stick any body parts in this hole.	Eskil Suter--possibly the mad genius of bike racing. He's had his hands in the Foggy Petronas, Kawasaki MotoGP and now Ilmor machines. Note mapping buttons on both sides and holding tank on front of the frame for the pressurized cooling system. The latter allows them to set cooling system temp as per ambient temperature. T2 = second bike.	Steel discs in this picture, wire lead runs to the front wheel speed sensor which is triggered by the bolts holding the disc on the wheel. Fender does a credible job of flowing air where the wind tunnel dictates.
Carbon fiber guard keeps the rider from getting a dreaded case of 'Polen Toes'. More leads into the rear fender, more hard edges finish out the machine.