<P> The 2008 racing calendar consisted of 18 rounds in 15 different countries (Qatar, Spain which hosted three rounds, Portugal, China, France, Italy, Great Britain, the Netherlands, Germany, the US which hosted two rounds, Czech Republic, San Marino, Japan, Australia and Malaysia). Exclusive to the MotoGP class, there was also a US round at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca in Monterey, California, for the 800 cc class only; this was because the paddock was not large enough to also include the other two classes . In 2008, a MotoGP event was held at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway for the first time on a newly prepared track . All three classes were scheduled to race but severe wind and rain prevented the 250 cc class from racing . MotoGP racing at Indianapolis is counterclockwise, with a "snake pit" complex past the start - finish line before heading down the turn one short - chute and into the infield section . </P> <P> The grid is composed of three columns (four for the 125 cc and 250 cc classes) and contains approximately 20 riders . Grid positions are decided in descending order of qualifying speed, with the fastest on the pole or first position . Races last approximately 45 minutes, each race is a sprint from start to finish without pitting for fuel or tyres . </P> <P> In 2005, a flag - to - flag rule for MotoGP was introduced . Previously, if a race started dry and rain fell, officials could red - flag (stop) the race and either restart or resume on' wet' tyres . Now, when rain falls, a white flag is shown, indicating that riders can pit to swap the motorcycle on which they started the race for an identical one, as long as the tyres are different (that is, intermediates or slicks instead of wets) (1). Besides different tyres, the wet - weather bikes have steel brake rotors and different brake pads instead of the carbon discs and pads used on the' dry' bikes . This is because the carbon brakes need to be very hot to function properly, and the water cools them too much . The suspension is also' softened' up somewhat for the wet weather . </P> <P> When a rider crashes, track marshals up the track from the incident wave yellow flags, prohibiting passing in that area; one corner farther up the track, a stationary yellow flag is shown . If a fallen rider cannot be evacuated safely from the track, the race is red - flagged . Motorcycle crashes are usually one of two types: lowside, when the bike loses either front or rear tire grip and slides out on the "low" side, and the more dangerous highside, when the tires don't completely slide out, but instead grip the track surface, flipping the bike over to the "high side", usually catapulting the rider over the top . Increased use of traction control has made highsides much less frequent . </P>

What does flag to flag mean in motogp
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