MotoGP spectators attend for the thrill of a race, the sound of the low pitched roar of motorcycles driving past and the firework display of sparks as pedals scrape the floor travelling at speeds of 200km/h. Rain can dampen the spirits of spectators for any major event, but for the annual Tissot Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix held at Phillip Island in Victoria, weather is critical and organisers want accurate forecasts and a ‘no surprises’ approach.

In 2014, for the second consecutive year UBIMET delivered accurate, motor-sport tailored weather forecasts for the Australian MotoGP, enabling the event organisers and the race teams to make critical race decisions throughout the event. The quantity and quality of UBIMET’s data, combined with manual forecasts by onsite meteorologists, ensured the highest prediction accuracy.

UBIMET SERVICES

• Live broadcasts with UBIMET’s onsite meteorologist providing race teams and spectators up to date weather information on the main stadium screen
• Two-daily forecasts including parameters such as wind speed and direction, temperature, chance of rain etc.
• Accurate forecast data with a high temporal and spatial resolution

UBIMET SOLUTIONS

UBIMET supplied the MotoGP with weather forecasts in the lead-up to the event. Spectators were also provided with forecasts about the weather conditions on the day, which were displayed on TV screens around the track. On race day, UBIMET’s meteorologist gave a live weather update broadcast across the stadium with information about what drivers and spectators could expect from the weather.

In addition to the regular updates, event organisers were able to access the latest weather information wherever they were onsite, via a highly sophisticated online portal. It was also designed so teams could make immediate, event and race critical decisions according to the forecast.

“UBIMET provided twice daily updates for GPTV – the events’ on course big screen TV service. The forecasts were accurate and on time. On the Sunday UBIMET’s meteorologist gave a live interview in Pit Lane with his final forecast one hour prior to MotoGP race time.

Perhaps the teams should have listened to UBIMET’S meteorologist as he predicted a drop in temperature but no rain during the race. That drop eventuated and was severe enough to impact tyre performance resulting in the leader Marc Marquez to crash dramatically late in the race.

UBIMET’s service was outstanding and kept race fans informed with accurate local forecasts. I look forward to working with the team from UBIMET again.” Tim Maloney, Managing Director, Axis Films.