RACE STUFF THREAD

[RED]

WSBK was very good this week, for Ducati that is. Seeing Haga and Fabrisio take 4 of the six podiums was refreshing! I'm getting tired of seeing that damn Suzuyahadaki group dominate races. The 1198 looked really fast in the corners and the braking was great. That is what killed the jap bikes it looked like was that this course needed a bike set up to handle the down speeds at the corners. Ducati did it with ease. But wow, seeing Spies' bike endo over and over again was spectacular. He's better at lowsiding than Pegram is at highsiding 

[Cher]

Change of topic from WSBK to MotoGP...   

I'm looking at the practice results from the opening round of MotoGP in Qatar.  Got me thinking again about a conversation a few people were having recently about the future of the desmo valve train in production, "main-stream" Ducatis of the near future; does anyone know how the valves are operated in the RACING Ducatis?  You'd have to assume desmodromic valves went out of their MotoGP racing program years ago... So... pneumatic valve actuation would be my guess.

Also, how many rpms do these GP motors turn nowadays?

Anyone know?

I'm going to study that Desmosidici over at AMS today    How cool is that; a MotoGP bike on the showroom floor of your local Ducati dealership? 

[muskrat]

ask if you can test drive that thing.  I just want to hear it cranck up and run.

[fastwin]

They are not pneumatic like the Honda and Suzuki engines. I haven't read or heard if the Yamaha or Kawi use "air engines" or not. I beileve Ducati uses a desmodromic actuation although it is much more refined than the street version as one would assume.

As far as revs go, I'm guessing over 16K but under 20K. Somewhere in between maybe? I'll ask Hayden or Rossi next time they call me for advice.

[Giannis]

Change of topic from WSBK to MotoGP...   

I'm looking at the practice results from the opening round of MotoGP in Qatar.  Got me thinking again about a conversation a few people were having recently about the future of the desmo valve train in production, "main-stream" Ducatis of the near future; does anyone know how the valves are operated in the RACING Ducatis?  You'd have to assume desmodromic valves went out of their MotoGP racing program years ago... So... pneumatic valve actuation would be my guess.

Also, how many rpms do these GP motors turn nowadays?

Anyone know?

I'm going to study that Desmosidici over at AMS today    How cool is that; a MotoGP bike on the showroom floor of your local Ducati dealership? 

Do tey have a real GP bike on the showroom or you talking about the Replica?

[Giannis]

125 QP right now and  motoGP QP in 1 hour here...

http://www.justin.tv/azoto  (in German, but who cares, SpeedTV only shows the race )

just minimize the browser to video screen size it runs better....

[Cher]

Brian, I ended up talking with Jeff this afternoon at the meet-up; you are right, GP Duc motor uses desmo valves.   And they've got no problem running rpms easily in excess of 19 grand     

I take it all back - every snarky comment I ever made about archaic desmodromic valves     I BELIEVE! (Can I get an AMEN?)



Yeah, so what?  I'm easily amused   

[fastwin]

Bet they sound pretty good going by at 19K!! You'd need earplugs and ear muffs!

So how was the AMS BBQ lunch thing? Pics, reports, gunfights...?? Really wanted to make it for a little decompression time from honey dos/housework/getting ready for the inlaw Easter invasion of 2009. Just a few minutes on the bike, some BBQ and good BSing around with bike folks would have done me a world of good! The only upside to my tragic story is they will eventually leave us in peace and go home. I will then make a thermo nuclear margarita and watch the MotoGP races in the evening.

[Cher]

thermo-nuclear margarita      Awesome.


It was a great turn out at AMS-D.  All the usual suspects.  Marty was running the demo ride deal this time; one guy on a GSXR went out on an 1198 while I was there.  No drama, just good chili dogs n' great folk. 



I did find more info on the Ducati MotoGP website; could have sworn all the engine specs and detail were NOT there last time I checked... Oh well,  now I know   

Have you seen the qualifying results?

[muskrat]

http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/motorsport/moto-gp/qatar-gp/2009/qualifying.html?u=1239483580587

[Cher]

http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/motorsport/moto-gp/qatar-gp/2009/qualifying.html?u=1239483580587

    Helluva gap to 2nd!

[AndreRA3]

   Helluva gap to 2nd!

And Hayden had a NASTY crash.  Unfortunately no cameras got a good look at what caused it, but he highsided and didn't get up.  I read somewhere that he had a cut on his chest and "severe" back pain.  Not looking good at all.

[Cher]

Yeah, I ran across that bit of doom last night too.  The Kid can't buy a break     Hope it's not serious 

Found this today:
http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2009/Hayden+doubtful+for+Ducati+race+debut

[fastwin]

Yep, bad race weekend start for Hayden. Mechanical trouble with both bikes, blows an engine on top of all that, then highsides (ala Lorenzo in China last year!) lands on his back, slides down the track and over the curbing. No wonder he didn't bounce right up. He was checked out at the hospital, nothing broken but he will not be very comfy racing today that's for sure. Bet he feels like he was beat with a baseball bat. Just hope he finishes the race without incident and the ghost of Melandri doesn't follow him around all season. Things can only get better and he's a determined, hard worker. I wish him the best.

[webspoke]

Tough way to start the season for Nicky, and still amazing speed from Casey, coming from an off season in recovery from his wrist surgery.