I don't see why I should have to justify my position but if it stops misguided assumptions and inaccurate conclusions, I will.

1) Our role is to check for compliance to the regulations. If a machine comes into the bay with full wets fitted, the question would be asked if the intention is to run using those tyres. If the answer is "Yes" then the rider/ mechanic would be advised that the tyres would probably not last a full lap. However, if the rider / mechanic chooses not to act upon this advice then that is up to him / her. It is the same with chain tension, some riders have a lot of slack but others have virtually none. Machine preparation is the responsibility of the rider and as there is nothing in the regulations to say that wets cannot be used on modern machines or that there should be 25 mm of freeplay in the chain then it is the rider's decision.

2) There was a case during the Grand Prix where a bike was presented fitted with full wets. As in 1) the rider was asked if he intended to go out on those tyres and the answer was that he didn't want to get mud and gravel from the bottom paddock on his race tyres and that he intended to change the wheels in the parc ferme. As the machines should be presented ready to race, the rider was asked to change the wheels in our "sin bin" area so that we could check that all the lockwiring was replaced as per the regulations. The rider was happy to do this.

3) Please note that I do not hide behind a pseudonym.

Jeff Kirby