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back in the day they ran what we now call GP 2 cars also to fill the gridCan you imagine this in F1 racing!
+1 You have four competitive bikes at the front now from four different manufacturers. Both BMW and Kawasaki get the award for most improved while Aprilia gets one for being over confident in the off season. Overall the Ducati is competitive, but the track has to be conducive and not have long straights because it is now underpowered relatively speaking. At the time when the Panigale was released and the initial reviews were very positive, the Duc was going to be a real force in 2013. Now I'm not so sure. The reports aren't as glowing, apparently Checa's testing didn't go that well. In other words there are signs of trouble ahead and knowing the rigidness of Ducati Corse in general or as a company, the improvement curve will be slow. Thats unless Audi snaps the whip even though they are new to two wheel racing and rumored to take a lower profile the first year of ownership.Edwards should have gone strait back to WSBK. Who know's he probably would have been up on a podium by now and smiling a whole lot more.![]()
No disrespect, but I think Stoner said it already, & gave them Dorna the divorce finger sometime ago. Spies is probably of the same opinion.IMO, if they are going to continue putting two dissimilar classes of machines in the same race then, to be fair, treat them as two entirely separate classes. For example, have a Prototype classification and CRT classification with a "first in race" winner and a "first in class" winner. Let the CRT boys at least have the chance to be on the top of their pile. If safety is truly an issue (which Colin spoke of) then work out separate practice and qualifying schedules and wear out the slower rider "blue flag" throughout the whole time the two classes are on track together. If it's going to work then DORNA has to do what it takes to make it work. So far, or so it seems, their only goal has been to fill the grid dangling the "come race in Motogp!" carrot without really thinking the particulars through. Thank you, Colin for being the first within the paddock to finally point out that the Emperor ain't wearing any clothes.
If WSBK is a "production" series and not a prototype like GP, wouldn't Ducati need to introduce a new Superbike in order to make a major change like returning to the trellis or introducing a twin spar in WSBK?What I can't reconcile is the frameless controversy. So its not the answer as Ducati GP realized, I would think the same problems will surface with the frameless Panegali. I wonder if Ducati has considered this possibility? If they return to a frame based design, they loose the advantage of weight. If they add a bunch of weight I wonder how that will impact the overall suspension? I doubt Ducati will do anything about the frame just yet because the first year or two will be work in progress in getting the bike sorted.
Craig,No disrespect, but I think Stoner said it already, & gave them Dorna the divorce finger sometime ago. Spies is probably of the same opinion.
Craig
Why would the Panigale be a dog in Superbike? It is leading the Superstock classIf WSBK is a "production" series and not a prototype like GP, wouldn't Ducati need to introduce a new Superbike in order to make a major change like returning to the trellis or introducing a twin spar in WSBK?
Should the Panigale be a dog in WSBK could we see Ducati going the way of other small manufacturers with glorious racing history? Can you say MV Agusta?
Super"stock" and Super"bike" class are worlds apart aren't they. It seems to be more than a rumour that Checa is not happy with the Panigale. IIRC a BSB team gave up on the 1199...????Why would the Panigale be a dog in Superbike? It is leading the Superstock class
The reasons for dumping the trellis frame have been well covered and have little to do with weight from a racing perspective. The main change is a lengthened swingarm for more traction and steeper geometry for easier change of direction that are allowed by rotating the engine back. The trellis frame limited the size of the air box too. Times from testing of the SBK seem very competitive and the source of the Checa rumour is just some Facebook rant so hardly compelling.Super"stock" and Super"bike" class are worlds apart aren't they. It seems to be more than a rumour that Checa is not happy with the Panigale. IIRC a BSB team gave up on the 1199...????
I wonder if Ducati made a mistake with the Frameless design.....for why, for what, to save 11lbs....where, why, to make it the lightest street bike? Even Checa's 1198RS with it's trellis frame comes in too light for WSBK, so much so that it keeps the exhaust all steel instead of titanium and have a weight a penalty. So why go the frameless route?, just to prove they can, to be different...seems so right?
In retrospect maybe Ducati should have put this engine in a trellis frame and found a better way to get more weight over the front wheel.....