De Paolo Gozzi / Corsedimoto.com
Ducati, too advantaged? For Andrea Dosoli, competition manager for Yamaha Europe, the problem is not the engine speed, but the cost of the road version.
The Superbike championship had not yet started when discussions about the Superbike regulations were already going crazy. The current theme is engine speed table, which allows the Ducati Panigale to go up to 16 rpm, or 350, also taking into account the 16% overspeed authorized by the people concerned. For at least three rounds, the V480R will therefore have an advantage of 3 laps over Kawasaki with the same four-cylinder configuration. Ok, these are engines with different power curves, designed with different concepts. But the gap is considerable and it is strange that there is no homogeneity of views between the world regulations and the other international series: in the BSB, for example, Ducati is limited to 4 rpm. “At Ducati, they interpreted the rules, that’s not the problem” highlights Andrea Dosoli, head of racing activities for Yamaha Europe. “The point is broader. If the basis of the rules is based on the characteristics of the road motorcycle, how can we not take into account the price difference between vehicles that cost €20.000 at the dealership and Ducatis, which are sold for twice as much? ".
The Ducati V4R is scary
“The Panigale V4 R version is different from the standard version, it is a bike designed to win in Superbike. Limits based on public cost should be considered. , continues Mr. Dosoli. “I don't know, something that would make the engine run slower for every thousand euros more. There would therefore be a real balance. Such regulation would make it possible to distance ourselves from the race for super-performance and the costs associated with it, which risks becoming unleashed. »
Fear of soaring costs
The arrival of the Ducati V4R and the simultaneous return of Honda HRC raise fears of a widespread arms race. Under current regulations, Honda could decide to release the road-going replica of the RC213V and raise the bar even higher. “Cost control is the key to Superbike success,” warns Dosoli.
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