Optimal recovery manoeuvres of racing motorcycles

The focus of this work is on the optimal recovery manoeuvres of racing vehicles, which are here defined as the manoeuvres that need be performed in order to complete the lap in the minimum time, after a driving error occurs. The driving errors considered are speed excess and trajectory deviations, with respect to the baseline conditions. The baseline conditions are those giving the minimum lap time, and are vehicle and track dependent. The practical applications of the methodology proposed include the estimation of the driving errors that can be recovered while remaining within the racetrack borders, and the estimation of the minimum asphalted run-off area that need be provided to recover from driving errors of given magnitude. An example of application is given for a racing motorcycle on the Mugello circuit.