Ducati withdraws from factory WSBK racing [superbikeplanet.com]

[UFO]

Ducati, having participated with a factory team in every edition of the World Superbike Championship since it began in 1988, winning 16 Manufacturers' world titles and 13 Riders' world titles along the way, has decided to limit its participation to the supply of machines and support to private teams.

By making this important decision Ducati aims to increase the speed and efficiency with which it transfers advanced technological solutions, currently tested in the prototype championship, to the production series.

The task of testing innovative technical solutions in Superbike racing will therefore be entrusted to external teams in the coming years, teams that will have the chance to receive technical support from Ducati personnel. This choice will allow the teams to benefit from even more competitive machines and parts.

More at:  http://www.superbikeplanet.com/2010/Aug/100827a.htm

[squeezer]

    Holy moley! Ducati out as a factory WSBK team? Remember when people used to call it "The Ducati Cup"?

I wonder if this means the end of Haga's factory riding career?

[miles]

I guess Rossi's salary has to come from somewhere.

[Mr. Whippy]

Do you think this is driven by changes in WSB rules or is this purely an economic decision?

[scottzilla]

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!
Abandon another series that won't give them a rules advantage.

[garry]

I've read in other places that the 1198R is as developed as it can get and their performance this year is down from last year. Maybe everyone else stepped forward a bit and passed them.

[Mookie]

Do you think this is driven by changes in WSB rules or is this purely an economic decision?

The end is near for V-Twins.

Thanks to the progression of electronics - traction control specifically - it's negated the advantage held by twins, that being; traction out of corners, tire longevity and drivability.  Now that I-4's can drive just as well out of corners and maintain their tires just as well, they can take advantage of the ease of developing on a cheaper engine design.  It's just easier and cheaper to make more power with a 4 than a twin.  

[Mr. Whippy]

The end is near for V-Twins.

Thanks to the progression of electronics - traction control specifically - it's negated the advantage held by twins, that being; traction out of corners, tire longevity and drivability.  Now that I-4's can drive just as well out of corners and maintain their tires just as well, they can take advantage of the ease of developing on a cheaper engine design.  It's just easier and cheaper to make more power with a 4 than a twin.  

Mebbe they can get together with BMW and make the n(π/2) Cup.  

[scottzilla]

I've read in other places that the 1198R is as developed as it can get and their performance this year is down from last year. Maybe everyone else stepped forward a bit and passed them.

I'm positive i've heard this before.  That's their argument every time they threaten to quit.

[DogBoy]

I guess Rossi's salary has to come from somewhere.

From Marlboro. Same people who pay Stoner and Hayden.


On topic: With privateer teams getting better results than the Ducati factory team, whats the point of running a big dollar factory effort?

[Redbandit14]

On topic: With privateer teams getting better results than the Ducati factory team, whats the point of running a big dollar factory effort?

We have a winner  

[Orson]

Moto Guzzi's imminent return to WSBK has people hearing footsteps.

[tomek]

From Marlboro. Same people who pay Stoner and Hayden.


On topic: With privateer teams getting better results than the Ducati factory team, whats the point of running a big dollar factory effort?

Mehh,privateers have not got the latest internal Ducati memo,"we are gonna be much slower this year in order to get rules changed".

Apparently Flammini did not want to give Ducati further breaks and he received FU in return.

Another angle,their current GP machine is not competitive,with Rossi next year,etc, that is where they want to concentrate.

[squeezer]

Mebbe they can get together with BMW and make the n(π/2) Cup.  

Now that's funny.

Moto Guzzi's imminent return to WSBK has people hearing footsteps.

And that's funnier.    

[veefer800canuck]

Well this sucks.  

[Blunder]

Not selling enough Multis, or is it Multies?

[steve tech]

I'm talking strictly racing here.

Ducati have dug themselves a whole by keeping to that archaic v twin. They have to bite the bullet admit its way past its sell by date and build a 4 cyl 1000 production bike as did BMW ( who took long enough).
They are getting their asses kicked by Aprilia who took the rules and made a bike for the job.
Ducati sold their bikes thanks to Wsbk racing, (they where almost broke before the "Foggy" era) lets face it not many people can afford a desmosedici.
Now if Rossi can't win next season? Did someone mention all your eggs in one basket!!
 

[Galo]

The end is near for V-Twins.

Thanks to the progression of electronics - traction control specifically - it's negated the advantage held by twins, that being; traction out of corners, tire longevity and drivability.  Now that I-4's can drive just as well out of corners and maintain their tires just as well, they can take advantage of the ease of developing on a cheaper engine design.  It's just easier and cheaper to make more power with a 4 than a twin.  

 
Blasphemy!! Dont let BLS read this!!