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Ducati Going Superbike Racing in the U.S.
February 13, 2009 by Guido

Ducati plans to take part in Superbike racing in North America in the 2009 season.

Ducati North America CEO Michael Lock, in an interview this morning, told me U.S. pilots will be competing in the series aboard the 1098 F08 - the same factory superbike used by Troy Bayliss in 2008.

Oh, but because of airbox-related rules in the World Superbike Championship that aren’t present in the North American series, expect the U.S.-spec Duc to produce about 10hp more than the unit ridden by Bayliss.

Superbike racing in the U.S. will be run by the Daytona Motorsports Group (DMG) doing business as AMA Pro Racing. American Superbike is scheduled to be the new premier class for AMA Pro Racing, showcasing the traditional 1,000cc machines that competed in the former AMA Superbike class but running under new rules.

That's awesome news...

I just sprung wood.

Pegram, I assume?

yeah, pegram has already been testing.  this is not exactly news, tho the quote makes it sound like it's a factory effort, which pegram's program is not.  factory supported, not works.  the use of plural "pilots" is curious.  it's really hard to believe that they would be announcing a full factory effort now.  it's also hard to believe that they would bring works bikes to this series at all.

also -


means that the bike will not be identical to bayliss'.  a lot of things have to be different.  AMA/DMG sbk spec is a lot different than WSBK spec. 

What a load of crap. The 1098 F08 is a full on World Superbike. The DMG American Superbike rules only allow for a slightly modified version of a 1098R streetbike. Parts like the crank, rods, and airbox must remain the same as those used on the streetbike. There is no way in hell that it will make 10 more HP than an F08.

What is up with "Pilots", is Pegram going to carry a mouse around with him on the track?  Hopefully he has a better chance of winning than he did in the past.

There's lots of unemployed former-AMA riders how know the tracks. 
And on the DMG rules?  Can't keep up with it.  I see lots of blown motors.

even if they got one of the old F08s (and i'm sure that the bike pegram has been testing is an '09 1098R) by the time they tear it apart enough to meet DMG specs, it won't be an F08.

re pegram winning, yeah he didn't but he was at the front of the fx pack in the latter half of last year.

blown motors?  if anything the new american sbk spec protects more against that than in the past.

Dunno...I was reading something in last month's RRW (or was it one of the other rags...they all meld together) about that. The author disagrees with that idea, thinking that the stock-spec parts won't stand up to the rigors of racing.

Who knows...we'll see how many motors the teams go through next season, and how many bikes we see smoking to a halt mid-track.

Aren't the SBK crank and rods the same as the streetbike already?  The crank may not be balanced, but I thought those TI rods come stock.  The F08 and the 1098R are pretty close to one another.  Throw on some of thse gas-charged forks and go racin'.   [thumbsup]

I think you're right, Spidey. IIRC, (and Derby will likely recall correctly...DWLRC) the twins got the extra 200cc but had to be closer to a stock state of tune. So save for race pistons and some probably electronics tweaks, I think the F08 was pretty close to the R.

No gas-charged forks in NAS-DMG-CAR racing.

That's donkey balls.  Howz a guy supposed to ride a bike competitively without $12k forks? 

Some racers claim to prefer non-gas-charged... [coffee]

no worries spidey ... just have dtm fill your forks with some of his WMD farts.  that should provide same function as nitrogen charged forks, perhaps a lot more caustic on the internals of the forks (ok, for certain a lot more caustic) ... and i bet the tech inspection dudes will not be able to get close enough to the forks to disqualify you.

...except that nitrogen is an inert gas.

From Sport Rider, in the March 09 issue.

" Consider this: Troy Bayliss lapped the Portimao track two seconds faster than the quickest World Superstock rider...aboard a bone stock 1198, mirrors and all. "

cheese and rice ... what was that you said earlier about being a buzz-kill?  thank you very much, mr. science. [roll]

they get a lot more expensive than that.

dmg rules is stock forks.  you can replace the internals, but you can't replace the whole kaboodle.

so what is with the OP anyway?  i only see pegram's ducati anywhere near the nasbike series.

This just in....

http://www.superbikeplanet.com/2009/Feb/090219b17.htm (http://www.superbikeplanet.com/2009/Feb/090219b17.htm)

TEAM FOREMOST PEGRAM TO COMPETE IN THE 2009 AMERICAN SUPERBIKE CHAMPIONSHIP

Cupertino, Calif (18 February 2009) - Ducati North America is proud to announce the brand's return to Superbike racing as Team Foremost Pegram will contest the 2009 AMA Pro Racing American Superbike Championship on a Ducati 1098 R.


Team Foremost Pegram will be a single rider squad competing with accomplished racer Larry Pegram. The 1098 R is Ducati's flagship Superbike, and a derivative of the 2008 World Superbike Champion Ducati F08. The season kicks off at Daytona International Speedway on March 5th; where the latest generation of Ducati Superbike will take to the famous banking for the first time.

"The Ducati Brand is synonymous with Superbike racing and we are thrilled to once again be fielding a team in the United States- the largest sportbike market in the world. The current environment for raising sponsorship funds is difficult and we are pleased that Foremost Insurance's increased sponsorship has made fielding this year's team possible," said Michael Lock, CEO of Ducati North America.

Title sponsor Foremost Insurance supported Team Pegram in the 2008 AMA Formula Xtreme Championship with the Ducati 848 Superbike. This year's move to the premier racing class is a natural fit for both Ducati and Foremost.

"I am excited to be on a Ducati Superbike for the 2009 season," said Pegram. "Foremost has stepped up their sponsorship and we are off to a great start. After the test in Fontana I can say this is the best bike I've ever ridden. I'm really looking forward to a great race in Daytona."

Opening ceremonies for the American Superbike race in Daytona will take place Thursday, March 5th at 3:00pm. Look for Pegram on Ducati Island, just outside the Daytona Motor Speedway, on March 6th at 1:00pm for an autograph session.

"This year we will utilize the team for programs off the race track as well as in competition, and our racing efforts are solely focused on the Superbike Team. Therefore, we reallocated resources from other programs including our local contingency program. which is suspended for 2009." commented Jim Viola, Ducati Marketing Director.

ENDS

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