Join me in a moment of silent prayer that Ducati does not lower itself to play in this bottom-feeding ham-and-egg DMG abortion.
They indicated last year they were considering getting back into AMA Superbike racing with the 1098R before this watered-down format was thrust upon us.
are you kidding? ducati has ALWAYS been about getting the govorning body to allow them to have more displacement than the rest of the bikes so that they can compete. DMG's cc variations for the daytona superbike class are up their alley more than anyone elses. it's the perfect series for them
Ducati wants a piece of the U.S. market, they planned it before the DMG disaster and i guess they're gonna go through with it. They also said that nothing is set in stone, they originally wanted to race the 1098r so the rule change is a blow to them just like the rest. Where are the other manufacturers going to advertise if the AMA falls apart? I thought winning races sunday sells bikes monday, so what happens now? YOu guys think that the lack of racing is gonna have an effect on production bikes?
North America is Ducati's biggest market (maybe for the other manufacturers too... at least for big bikes). Everybody knows this. And while they have been doing better lately, they still aren't exactly a financial juggernaut.
And Ducati has always said that racing is absolutely key to their overall marketing strategy. So they almost have no choice. If the bikes are relatively cheap to prep, then why wouldn't they show up?
Wouldn't it be kind of fun if they put together a decent bike based on the rules (cause you know they can), and then show up with some 2nd rate Italian rider (think Manuel Poggiali or Roberto Locatelli or Gianluca Nanelli) and do really well? How would that fit in with DMG's marketing strategy?
Oh, and by the way... has anyone seen the new Monster in person yet? AMAZING! It is absolutely gorgeous. At first I was worried about similarities to the Street Triple (which is actually a pretty cool bike in its own right). But after seeing the Ducati in person, you have to be pretty hard up to go with the Triumph instead. Zoot, I think you would love it especially.
Being a perhaps-overly-proud Ducati owner, it rankles me to see them get immersed in this DMG stupidity with the 130 HP limit. (By the way, has this been finalized yet by the Dumbed-down Motorsickle Geeks?). There is some thought that Ducati could build an 848 torque monster that combined with the good-handling bike would be very successful - but I won't be watching.
I can see it all now - I pull up to the local watering hole after a brisk romp down the backroads and Billy Jim Bob strolls up and says "I saw them Dewkotties win the motorsickle races today - why don't you get yours painted up like the 44 Budweiser bike --- "
Yep, that is it Zoot... and let me just use the old cliche, 'pictures don't do it justice.' The bike is just amazing in person, and the proportions are fantastic. It looks incredibly balanced, tough and stout. It really makes you want to jump on it and ride it.
As for Ducati racing in the DMG league, I wouldn't be happy about it either... but like I said, they really have no choice. And I'm STILL pi$$ed about that rock going through Bostrom's oil cooler and ruining his Daytona win! Winning that race was almost as important to them as the championship itself.
That said, there are unfortunately a lot of people who buy Ducati's soley for the posing aspect. Sure, there are also the super die-hards who truly love and ride the things... but they don't seem to be in the majority.
Hi-Zoot, you as a V-mex rider (with very questionable taste) do of course realize this is at best faint praise. I do agree it is far less weird-looking than your, uh, machine. Maybe you are beginning to see da light.
I wonder if the OEM's that do decide to play in the DMG game will be treated like union picket line scabs.A protest doesnt work when half the participants dont participate.
I saw this article as well but it seemed to me that they were saying this would probably be an extension of what they are already doing with Larry Peagram. I am sure Peagram would be happy to race a basically stock 848 in DMG, he could probably make more money than he does now.
In addition I saw somewhere that the 848 is the fastest selling model in the US so it would make sense for Ducati to support some teams on them in the US.
To me it isn't a factory team unless the factory organizes a team, hires some riders and throws all they have into winning the championship.
Hi-Zoot, you as a V-mex rider (with very questionable taste) do of course realize this is at best faint praise. I do agree it is far less weird-looking than your, uh, machine. Maybe you are beginning to see da light.
Cheers, Darby
darb, i make a living off my incredible taste.
you're probably an engineer, aren't you? that's ok, my dad's an engineer. he's smart enough to let my mother and i decide what looks good after he decides if it runs well. you might consider that option henceforth. i'd be happy to make myself available for consultation.
