MotoGP
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT MotoGP™ LOGISTICS
From the pristine pavement of Austin’s brand new Circuit of the Americas to Australia’s stunning seaside Phillip Island Circuit, MotoGP™ spans 18 races in 14 countries on four continents. Each year the championship travels around 90,000 kilometers in just nine months. DHL puts in a few extra behind the scenes.
- Total distance transported by DHL: ca. 90,000 kilometers
- Total weight transported by DHL from race to race: 350 metric tons (ca. 380 tons)
- Furthest distance between circuits: ca. 13,100 kilometers from Losail International Circuit in Qatar to the Circuit of the Americas in the USA.
By air, land and sea
We provide a range of services for MotoGP™, from forwarding and freight by air, ocean, rail, and road to urgent and often overnight express deliveries. Managed by DHL Trade Fairs & Events (TFE), DHL works closely with Dorna, the organizer of MotoGP™, to handle all of the logistics requirements.
- Four full 747 cargo planes
- 800+ individual pieces
- 150 Unit Load Devices
From safety cars to protective gear
With over 800 separate pieces of equipment ranging from the BMW X5M safety car to the Alpinestars racing suits and from driver helmets to pit crew headsets, we transport a wide variety of weights and dimensions for MotoGP™ and the teams.
The purpose-built, purebred racing bikes are obviously the most important item on the packing list. These ‘prototypes’ are not available for purchase by the general public and cannot be legally ridden on public roads. Other team equipment includes tires, tools, spare parts, pit box interior and more. We also carry some 1,400 liters of engine oil that each team – including the Moto2™ and Moto3™ teams – requires for the championships.
To put on the show, Dorna travels with broadcasting and race-day equipment, such as cameras, cables, and time-keeping devices as well as promotional materials such as signage and background advertising.
- Largest part: BMW X5M safety car
- Smallest part: electronic engine control unit
- Most unique part: racing bikes
Handle with care
MotoGP™ is the essence of high-tech motorsports racing. Careful handling of this cutting edge technology is an absolute must, not to mention complete understanding of the complex world of customs. We’re no stranger to motorsports logistics, with over 30+ years in the business. And we tap into that experience to ensure even the most sensitive parts reach the pit lane on time.
- Most sensitive part: broadcast equipment
- Most hazardous part(s): lubricants, engine oil, contact cleaners
A year-round logistics calendar
Though the Championship spans from March to November, MotoGP™ logistics is a full-time job nearly 365 days of the year. Planning for the upcoming season runs though late January, and soon afterward we arrange the first pre-season shipments, which include transports for some of the MotoGP™ to the winter test locations around the world. At that time, we also ship off the teams’ first ocean freight containers to the venue where the season opener is to be staged.
- 2016 pre-season testing: Sepang, Losail, Phillip Island and Jerez (Moto2™ & Moto3™)
- 2016 season opener: Grand Prix of Qatar, Losail International Circuit, March 17-20
- 2016 season finale: Gran Premio de la Comunitat Valenciana Grand, November 11-13
Pit lane to pit lane in 36 flat
For us, a Grand Prix starts tens days before the actual race, with freight being packed in boxes or containers, depending on the requirements and seasonality. And as soon as the checkered flag is waved, the pit crews immediately start dismantling the garages, working through the night from Sunday to Monday – and sometimes into Tuesday – packing everything up and beginning the journey to the next race. On back-to-back race weekends, DHL has only 36 hours to deliver the equipment from one pit lane to the next.
- Back-to-back races in 2016: Argentina to USA, Austria to Czech Republic, Great Britain to Italy, Japan to Australia, Australia to Malaysia
- Farthest distance between back-to-back races: ca. 7,000 km from Termas de Río Hondo Circuit in Argentina to Circuit of the Americas in Austria
- Shortest distance between back-to-back races: 335 km from Red Bull Ring in Austria to Automotodrom Brno in Czech Republic
Official Logistics Partner
On July 17, 2015, DHL announced a new two-and-a-half-year partnership with the world’s premier motorcycle racing championship, MotoGP™. The partnership will see DHL support the logistics needs of MotoGP™ and its sister championships, Moto2™ and Moto3™.
The new partnership showcases yet again that we are the provider of choice to the motorsports and automotive sectors. As with the other motor racing championships in our world-class partnership portfolio, MotoGP™ will give us an opportunity both to engage with an incredibly passionate global fan base and to create even more high-octane experiences for our own customers, employees and partners.
- Official Logistics Partner since July 2015
- MotoGP™ joins other premier partnerships like Formula 1, Formula E, WTCC, Red Bull Air Race…
- Partnership includes sister championships, Moto2™ and Moto3™
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