The first official involvement of the Bologna manufacturer in endurance with a 4 valves per cylinder dates back to the Bol d'Or 1986, when the ancestor of the 851 was entered, a Ducati 748 "Desmoquattro" (photo above), driven by Marco Lucchinelli, Virginio Ferrari and Juan Garriga, who unfortunately did not see the finish due to a broken connecting rod.
Then in 1991 Ducati entered an official 888 at the Bol d'Or which finished in tenth position, driven by Raymond Roche, Florian Ferracci and Giancarlo Falappa. Then three factory Ducatis were entered in 1993, including one driven by Doug Polen, Stéphane Mertens and Pascal Picotte, and another with Fred Merkel, Simon Crafar and Florian Ferracci.
The twins sometimes obtained good results, but Ducati was not always rewarded for its efforts due to the approximate reliability of the twins. Carl Fogarty, who was once asked (privately) if he would like to do endurance racing with a Ducati, replied " with great pleasure. On Saturday evening at dinner time, you are by the pool. »
The transalpine firm now has a much more suitable model, with the 4-cylinder Panigale, and Ducati will equip the ERC Endurance Team from the second race of the 2019-2020 FIM EWC season, the 8 Hours of Sepang, which will take place on December 14 in Malaysia.
According to Paolo Ciabatti, Sports Director of Ducati Corse, “The ERC Endurance Team is supported by Ducati with the presence of Ducati Corse engineers specializing in electronics in each race. The machines follow the technical specifications of the World Superbike and have been prepared at the Ducati Corse workshop by the ERC team mechanics with the support of our engineers. »
To Uwe Reinhardt, ERC Endurance team manager, “My passion for the brand and my personal collection of Ducati motorcycles are rather an anecdotal factor in this decision to enter into a partnership with Ducati. What stood out was the significant, rapid and effective commitment they put in place instantly as well as the support they will give us throughout the season. The challenge of starting at Sepang was certainly significant but we are going there without pressure. This will be a first test in racing conditions. For Le Mans, our only objective will already be to be at the finish of the 24 Hours. »
“The factory developed parts in record time and a special Endurance development cell, which works closely with the Superbike team, was created » further specifies the boss of the ERC Endurance Team, financially supported by its main partner Prokasro.
Raymond Roche
La Panigale 2019
Photos © FIM EWC and Ducati archives
