Ducati Lightens Up in World Superbikes
Following more lackluster performances of the Ducati 1198R in recent World Superbike competition, the FIM has called for a further weight reduction for the twins of 3kg to bring them into weight parity with the four cylinder competition led so far this year by Max Biaggi’s Aprilia RSV4.
The reduction will take effect at the Silverstone round on August 1st.
The FIM reports that the average point difference for the twins was almost double the required threshold of 5 points, with 9.5 points averaged over the last three rounds. While this number certainly would have been lower had Carlos Checa taken the double at Miller Motorsports Park like he should have, the poor results for the other five Ducatis on the grid would surely have kept this rule modification in place.
link: Asphalt & Rubber
If this change doesn’t have the desired effect in relative competitiveness (the last one didn’t seem to make much difference) the FIM will allow for a larger bore size in the existing intake air restrictor plates which limit the ability of the twin to develop power. Even a cursory glance of the trap speeds this year shows that the twins have been consistently slower than the competition.
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[...] This year has seen a dramatic change in World Superbike racing. Last year, Xerox Ducati rider Noriyuki Haga battled Ben Spies for the title taking 8 victories and 19 podiums. This year, not so much. After 20 races, Nitro Nori has won only once and stood on the podium on just 2 other occasions. Although it seems Haga’s heart isn’t in it, team mate Michel Fabrizio is hardly burning tarmac either. He has just 1 victory and 5 podiums (compare 3 and 15 last season). Whatever way you look at it, even the spirited efforts of privateer Althea Ducati’s Carlos Checa are not firing Ducati up at the front often enough this season despite two weight reductions for the Bologna twins. [...]