Renault F1 completes first running with R.S.17 in Barcelona - MotorSportsTalk

Renault has completed its first on-track running with its 2017 Formula 1 car, the R.S.17, at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya in Spain ahead of pre-season testing next week.

Renault unveiled its new car on Tuesday, with the R.S.17 sporting an aggressive new look and a revised color scheme that incorporates more black into its yellow look.

Like many of its rivals, Renault opted to make use of some of its filming day allowance this week to check all systems were running as expected prior to the start of testing.

Renault hit the track on Saturday with Jolyon Palmer receiving the honor of christening the R.S.17 on-track.

Morning! Exciting time, we are about to unleash the R.S.17 for the very first time! pic.twitter.com/39WgIEURlq

— Renault Sport F1 (@RenaultSportF1) February 25, 2017

And the honour of taking it out for an inaugural spin is… @JolyonPalmer! pic.twitter.com/oRo3PtORX8

— Renault Sport F1 (@RenaultSportF1) February 25, 2017

And we are GO! pic.twitter.com/Oh7gbRuMzI

— Renault Sport F1 (@RenaultSportF1) February 25, 2017

First ever installapery done for the R.S.17. From Tuesday's UK launch to on-track action today in Spain. Mega job! 👏 pic.twitter.com/Sagq3C5At1

— Renault Sport F1 (@RenaultSportF1) February 25, 2017

Thoughts? We can tell you it's harder to catch them with our little phone than it was last year!!! pic.twitter.com/rFxbrNr8eA

— Renault Sport F1 (@RenaultSportF1) February 25, 2017

😍😍😍 pic.twitter.com/SOd7R01MIY

— Renault Sport F1 (@RenaultSportF1) February 25, 2017

Renault will enjoy its first public run with the R.S.17 on Monday with the start of collective pre-season testing in Barcelona.

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In a continuing effort to help fans keep track of the on track action, SuperMotocross is in the process of developing and implementing leader lights for the unified series.

Currently Supercross (SMX) utilizes stanchions in the infield that are triggered manually by a race official. At least two stanchions are used in each race as a way to draw the eye to the leader, which is especially useful in the tight confines of the stadium series when lapping often begins before the halfway mark in the 22-bike field. This system has been in place for the past two decades.

Later this year, a fully automated system will move to the bike itself to replace the old system. At that point, fans will be able to identify the leader regardless of where he is on track.

The leader lights were tested in the second Anaheim round this year. An example can be seen at the 1:45 mark in the video above on the No. 69 bike.

“What we don’t want to do is move too fast, where it’s confusing to people,” said Mike Muye, senior director of operations for Supercross and SMX in a press release. “We’ve really just focused on the leader at this point with the thought that maybe down the road we’ll introduce others.”

Scheduled to debut with the first SuperMotocross World Championship race at zMax Dragway, located just outside the Charlotte Motor Speedway, a 3D carbon fiber-printed LED light will be affixed to each motorcycle. Ten timing loops positioned around the track will trigger the lights of the leader, which will turn green.

SMX’s partner LiveTime Scoring helped develop and implement the system that has been tested in some form or fashion since 2019.

When the leader lights are successfully deployed, SuperMotocross will explore expanding the system to identify the second- and third-place riders. Depending on need and fan acceptance, more positions could be added.

SuperMotocross is exploring future enhancements, including allowing for live fan interaction with the lights and ways to use the lighting system during the race’s opening ceremony.

Read more about SuperMotocross