MotoGP: February test key for Qatar night race plan

Next February’s MotoGP test in Qatar will be make or break on whether the Middle East venue will create motorcycling history by becoming the first to be run at night under floodlights.

The International Race Teams Association’s three-day session will be used as the final dress rehearsal after Qatar bosses announced last weekend in Misano that the 2008 race on March 9 would be run under floodlights.

Evaluation tests will take place over the next six months while the mammoth project is work in progress, with the first shakedown possibly coming as early as the end of next month.

But the three-day IRTA test scheduled to start on February 27, 2008 will be crunch time with IRTA boss Mike Trimby confirming the test session will be run at night.

At present the plan is to run all three classes at night, with practice also taking place under floodlights.

The MotoGP race is likely to start at 11pm or midnight to capture prime time European TV audiences, with the race going out in big markets like Spain and Italy at 9 or 10pm on March 9.

It was confirmed that the project, which would feature an incredible 3,700 light installations, is due for completion on February 15.

The night race was discussed at last Saturday night’s safety commission between Valentino Rossi and Loris Capirossi, who tested under a section of floodlights in Qatar last year.

And MotoGP Race Director Paul Butler said: “If the lighting company delivers what they say they can then the riders are cool about it.

“If a baseball player can hit a white ball at 120mph or whatever under lights then it should be ok. Dorna will want to have the riders completely satisfied and content before they go and race there.”

Fiat Yamaha rider Valentino Rossi said: “It’s better to race in the day. But they work a lot for the lights and they say more or less it is possible to have good light.

“When we tried last time with the street bike the safety was not at the maximum but they say it is possible to make it a lot better and to have very good lights and the same safety as in the day. If that’s the case then okay.”

The 28-year-old Italian said the main concern is shadows after his brief test session in 2006 and he added: “The shadow is the big problem. They have to improve the position of the lights for this.

“When you follow another bike it is a little bit difficult to understand.”

World championship leader Casey Stoner, who has won the last three MotoGP races to open up a commanding 85-point lead over Valentino Rossi, said: “They need to make sure they have enough light, and not shining in your eyes.

“If you come out from behind a rider in a shadow, or in a big slipstream pack, and then get hit by the lights it takes your eyes a second to adjust.

“They will have to test the lights a lot to make sure,” added the Ducati rider