Ducati

interesting... it my be a ducati cup anyway if all the participants in wsbk are miffed enough about the 1200cc rule change.

They talked about this happening last year and it never did so we'll have to wait and see.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (frosty58 @ Jun 3 2007, 04:44 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>interesting... it my be a ducati cup anyway if all the participants in wsbk are miffed enough about the 1200cc rule change.

suzuki said they will leave if the rule change does happen dunno about honda, yamaha and kawasaki though.

I thought Lavilla wanted to go back to WSBK and part of the reason he stayed with Ducati in BSB is because they said they would go to WSBK.

Would be quite bad for BSB if Ducati went but money talks as they say.

i would prefer them to stay with bsb but if then go to wsbk then so be it.

I heard this airwaves world superbike talk last year and nothing came of it, but perhaps it'll be true this time. I think Lavilla is experienced enough and a good enough rider, but he may not perform so well when removed from his comfort zone (BSB). Haslam i think will be ready at the end of this season, he only got beaten by Kiyo last year and thats good enough to convince me.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Tom @ Jun 11 2007, 11:17 AM) [snapback]71392[/snapback]<div class='quotemain'>
I think Lavilla is experienced enough and a good enough rider, but he may not perform so well when removed from his comfort zone (BSB).


I think he did a good job with the Suzuki considering what disadvantages it had at the time.

Watching the last WSBK race in Spanish TV, one of the journalists said that Airwaves would move to WSBK because the BSB will adopt rules that aren't good for the Ducatis.

What was he talking about? Any change that may harm the Vtwin competitivness?

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(coriolis @ Sep 10 2007, 10:57 PM) [snapback]90016[/snapback]<div class='quotemain'>

What was he talking about? Any change that may harm the Vtwin competitivness?


BSB have accepted the 1200 rule but now Ducati want to run pistons with only 2 rings rather than 3 that the production model has. The BSB bosses say that is not acceptable because the 4 cyclinder bikes are not allowed make these changes and the new rules are supposed to be fair. Ducati are yet to provide evidence why this should be allowed on safetey grounds (i suspect they can't) and are chosing not to field factory bikes as a result because they probably can't win.

So it would make sense to see them leaving to WSBK.

Seeing what Bayliss can do with his actual bike, imagine what the WSBK will look like with six 1098 (Xerox, Sterilgarda and Airwaves)

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(coriolis @ Sep 10 2007, 11:22 PM) [snapback]90025[/snapback]<div class='quotemain'>
So it would make sense to see them leaving to WSBK.

Seeing what Bayliss can do with his actual bike, imagine what the WSBK will look like with six 1098 (Xerox, Sterilgarda and Airwaves)


The idea is that with reduced engine tuning allowed, the ducati shouldn't get much faster (if at all) but should be on a level playing field (particularly on running costs) with the 4 cylinder bikes. Also the FIM have said that air restrictors will be introduced if needed to balace performance. I'm not sure its a good idea, and i fear a ducati cup. I'm also not sure where WSBK stands with the piston ring related argument with BSB, but i'd imagine the WSBK bosses have given Ducati whatever they want (as usual).

Now that the Japanese factories had come back, they give an advantage to Ducati

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(coriolis @ Sep 10 2007, 11:33 PM) [snapback]90029[/snapback]<div class='quotemain'>
Now that the Japanese factories had come back, they give an advantage to Ducati


Its a tough situation because the WSBK bosses (who are Italian) are happy to bend over for ducati's convenience and keep them in the sport and winning. The BSB people are standing his ground and demanding fairness so Ducati are walking out and the series loses out as a result. Neither are ideal, but i think Ducati have been given an easy ride enough already.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Tom @ Sep 10 2007, 03:26 PM) [snapback]90027[/snapback]<div class='quotemain'>
The idea is that with reduced engine tuning allowed, the ducati shouldn't get much faster (if at all) but should be on a level playing field (particularly on running costs) with the 4 cylinder bikes. Also the FIM have said that air restrictors will be introduced if needed to balace performance. I'm not sure its a good idea, and i fear a ducati cup. I'm also not sure where WSBK stands with the piston ring related argument with BSB, but i'd imagine the WSBK bosses have given Ducati whatever they want (as usual).


Yes. Thank you for telling it how it is. Despite what a lot of people on here think, Ducati are not trying to dominate WSBK through political cheating. They could win at the drop of a hat without the changes.

The Desmosedici = the homologation bomb. Ducati will drop it, if they don't get a reduction in racing costs (displacement boost). The Japanese know Ducati don't really want to use the bomb b/c it's too expensive, but they know Ducati might do it, just to spite them.

Neither side wants to race MotoGP equipment in WSBK; although it would be great to see the 990s make a comeback and it would be a great show of one-upmanship! Better to give Ducati what they want, and let the Japanese respond.

If a homolgation legal version of the Desmo RR makes it to 500 units, racing as we know it will be turned on its head. The fallout of the WSBK decision is trickling into the national series. Everyone is just trying to tiptoe into next season and see what happens.

One question that I don't think has been asked enough is this: where is the 1198? Surely Ducati won't be racing a prototype next year.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Mr. Shupe @ Sep 17 2007, 03:24 PM) [snapback]91195[/snapback]<div class='quotemain'>
One question that I don't think has been asked enough is this: where is the 1198? Surely Ducati won't be racing a prototype next year.


Ducati are racing a 1098 F08 next year in WSBK. I guess that plan will remain unchanged unless they get something out before Christmas and sell 500 of them?

Ducati Corse makes the R homologation machines, so Domenicali is pulling the strings on the 11R. Rumor has it, the front fairing is a goner and so is the SSS which Domencali had removed on the 999 only to have it reappear again on the 1098.

Who knows. I'm sure there will be lots of fighting within Ducati, since big bore homologation machines are uncharted territory. Domenicali will certainly cause the R bike to cost $100,000 if an accountant isn't looking over his shoulder.