Tank sliders/protectors are mandatory for racing in the US, and there's a pretty strong argument for making them so here too. The R6 is known for fireballs, particularly the 06/07 and the 08 models. 09 onwards they thickened the tank wall, in addition to the shape change in 08 to reduce the likelihood of splitting the tank.

For those that missed it, this happened yesterday at the Creek.

Before:


And after: