Say Good night to Duc..

 

Ducati made it official, they're pulling the plug and headin' back to more
familiar and easier territory. Does this signal the decline of the Duc's, or
is it just a ploy for more favorable rules to help them overcome some very
good Nip bikes and teams? Time will tell...
http://www.superbikeplanet.com/2006/Aug/060822a.htm  

 

Maybe they're tired of running their head against the wall that is
Suzuki. They aren't the only ones in  that boat.  It could be that
they want to concentrate their resources in MotoGP and WSB where they
have a better chance of success and I don't blame them. To participate
in just one of those venues against the Japanese juggernaut is very
tall order for a company the size of Ducati. When you think about what
they have done, with what they have to work with, considering what
they're up against, it's pretty amazing.

                                                  Bill Smith

 

Oh for sure they've done pretty well all things considered, just not too
well since the V&H days. I really think they want a capacity increase and
are playing hardball with the new racing board, it will be very interesting
to see who blinks. AMA needs Ducati and Ducati needs to do well here in
their biggest market.. We'll see...

 

If Ducati can't perform any better in USSB than they are doing now, it
really won't do them much good to race here. My memory, a long with a
few other things, isn't what it used to be, but back in the V&H days,
IIRC, they weren't trying to play in the league they are now. Did they
own Cagiva when they were trying to race in 500 GP? It's all getting
dim. :-)

Despite that, I think you're right about them trying to twist the
AMA's arm a little. I expect the Japanese would be happy to see them
go and loathe to allow them a displacement advantage. Suzuki and Honda
had to bring out  whole new lines of production motorcycles just to
deal with it last time.



                                               Bill Smith

                                                      

 spambait@nowhere.com says...

"But it is a bit frustrating to see that we are just far behind the
leading Suzukis. Naturally, they have a very good team, very good bike,
very good riders. Still, we see this gap as maybe too big. At least for
us to accept."

Got to love that.  It's ok for them to have that sort of dominance in
WSB, but they take their ball and go home when it's someone else?

Wonder what Hodgson will do?  Be a shame to see him go, as he has been a
nice addition to the AMA paddock.  My sources says Michael Jordon
Motorsports, but you didn't hear that from me.

And speaking of AMA additions, whatever happened to Bussei?  Met him at
Barber a few years back, and he seemed a really nice guy.
--
Tweak