BSB Change Weight Limits Again!

[749_MON]

Can nobody make up their mind...?

"The Motorcycle Circuit Racing Control Board has confirmed that the base weight for two-cylinder motorcycles can be reduced to 172kg, four months after it had been controversially increased.

The dominance of the Airwaves Ducati early on in the season prompted organisers to try and level out the competition by increasing the base weight of the 1098 to 175kg.

While argument raged for several weeks, the Airwaves Ducati in particular remained the bike to beat in the immediate aftermath of the ruling. However, recent races have revealed that Suzuki and Honda are now equally as competitive.

As such, the MCRCB have relented and allowed the base weight of two-cylinder bikes to fall to 172kg which, although still 7kg more than that of the four-cylinder machines, is anticipated will produce a fairer representation of the best package on the track over the final two rounds at Silverstone and Brands Hatch. This includes a 2kg tolerance."

[BertAgain]

Am I the only one who thinks Duc could end all this farce by sticking the D16 into BSB/WSB and then asking the Japs what they are going to complain about now? Especially as it looks like the Aprilia V4 will be out there in WSB next year....

While twins have an agreed 200cc advantage, the whole series is getting to be a joke - if you take it to the extreme, then you could enter a 1500cc single ......... but don't ask me to ride it!

I ride a Duc, I love 'em, the 1098 (1198?) is fantastic, but as an engineer, when it comes to racing, why should anyone get a head start because they want to have a different configuration?

If twins have a variable weight handicap, then why isn't there a power/weight formula applied to ALL bikes in the field .... can I run a smaller engine, say a 500cc, at 80kg? No, I can't, so adding weight because its a 1200 makes no sense either.....

The current situation has the potential to follow F1, which turned itself from the pinnacle of car racing into a worldwide joke circus ....

phew - a rant at lunchtime - that's made me extra hungry.....

[charlieh]

Originally Posted by 749_MON

Can nobody make up their mind...?

"The Motorcycle Circuit Racing Control Board has confirmed that the base weight for two-cylinder motorcycles can be reduced to 172kg, four months after it had been controversially increased.

The dominance of the Airwaves Ducati early on in the season prompted organisers to try and level out the competition by increasing the base weight of the 1098 to 175kg.

While argument raged for several weeks, the Airwaves Ducati in particular remained the bike to beat in the immediate aftermath of the ruling. However, recent races have revealed that Suzuki and Honda are now equally as competitive.

As such, the MCRCB have relented and allowed the base weight of two-cylinder bikes to fall to 172kg which, although still 7kg more than that of the four-cylinder machines, is anticipated will produce a fairer representation of the best package on the track over the final two rounds at Silverstone and Brands Hatch. This includes a 2kg tolerance."

I think this just proves what many in BSB were saying when the weights went up earlier. Many of the fours weren't fully developed and those that were, the riders kept falling off.

It was only Shakey that was winning on a Duke' and the other less competetive Ducatis were penalised as well.

But....the cynic in me also suspects that this is an early move to "encourage" another Ducati team to take up the engines/bikes that Airwaves Ducati no longer needs.

I really do hope that John Hackett can raise enough money/sponsorship to run the factory supported team/bikes....

....but it will be a big task for a DEALER team

[Michael D]

Ducati struggled to sell enough 1098R,s to comply with the rules,never mind using D16,s.Maybe the rules would be easier to work out if they used the 1098S instead of going for the advantage with "factory specials".

[TP#12]

Originally Posted by Michael D

Ducati struggled to sell enough 1098R,s to comply with the rules,never mind using D16,s.Maybe the rules would be easier to work out if they used the 1098S instead of going for the advantage with "factory specials".

I believe that this is exactly why Ducati are rumoured to be releasing the 2009 1098S with a 1200cc engine.

[BertAgain]

IMHO (and I'm less Mr. Angry this time), BSB/WSB should be for 1000cc bikes, regardless of engine config ...... IL4's are better, cc for cc, at producing outright power, ideal for racing .... but twins are much better at producing the low down grunt which makes road riding a much more pleasurable experience .... Ducs are fantastic roadbikes which can be fun on the track, which is why I ride one. But if they want (need?) to go racing, they should build a 4 (or even 6!) cylinder machine..... not faff about with weight penalties and rule bending ...... it conveys an image of 'spoilt brat' tantrums, having a cc advantage "or we're not playing"....

[Michael D]

Always been the way,in the early days it was Ducati versus 750,s.Factory bikes SP,R etc."If we dont have the rules as we want them were not playing".WSB has grown with Ducati now the name Ducati is percieved as being too important not to have in WSB.Also helps to have the series run by the Flamini brothers.

[Gizmo]

they can't run a DD16RR because moto gp requires a non production bike remember the fiasco with the Peter Clifford R1 crankcased engine?? If they did they would need to develop a new GP engine . Ducati got special permission for the DD16RR as a 1000 cc prior to 800 introduction


BSB homologation requires 100 units for smaller manufacturers like Ducati , you also now have WSB homolgation issues, with no AMA series to promote the 1098R it unlikely Ducati will sell many in the US either hence why they've pushed to get Hayden on a Ducati. Despite the 1098 being the biggest production of any Ducati they need to get a more affordable 1200 cc model for homologation and as TP says its highly likely that they will release a 1200 cc 1098S as they can't sell enough homologation special R's, they have flaunted the rules for too long and its time the race promoters brought it into line.