What's News
D-Air Racing Technology: A Safer Way to Race
You've probably heard the buzz about Dainese D-Air airbag racing suits for some time now. You probably thought they were a figment of the future's imagination- but they aren't. They're here.
(click images to view full size)
It took ten years in development, over 5,000 hours of data acquisition, and more than 100 falls to get this advanced system in place. It is now the first and only motorcycle airbag system certified by TÜV SÜD, an international testing and certification company. "...the D-Air racing data we provide doesn't come from estimates or conjecture but has been measured and proven with the rigour for which TÜV SÜD is renowned."
Read More...Ducati GP Sepang Test Results, Rossi Finishes Fifth
Valentino finishes 5th at Sepang on the 40-day-old Ducati Desmosedici 12.
Nicky Hayden calls it an early day due to shoulder pain while Valentino Rossi continues on to finish fifth. Rossi is very pleased with the new bike.
Read More...The 2012 848 EVO and Corse SE
Ultimate Motorcycling posted a 2012 848 EVO preview article with some lovely details on the one-year-newer Ducati superbike.
In 2011, the 848 received the EVO treatment which included a horsepower boost, leaving it at 140bhp and 72.3 ft. lbs. of torque in a 370 lbs dry weight package. Other add ons included front and back Showa suspension and giant 320mm Brembo Monobloc brakes.
In 2012, Ducati is releasing a Corse SE model with Ohlins suspension and more upgrades.
Read More...More of the AMG & Ducati Marriage
More of the AMG & Ducati marriage... a Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG coupe paired with a Ducati 848 Evo sportbike makes for some purdy pictures, and a pretty sweet commercial. Find the full commercial and behind the scenes footage behind the cut.
Reclusion is Not an Option…
...now that the Ducati 1199 Panigale is coming. It'll even bring a mountain man out of the mountains.
100 Important Ducatis to be Auctioned
A single-owner collection of significant Ducati motorcycles (along with some of the Ducati Corse itself) is going to be auctioned off 'without reserve'.
Now's your chance, boys and girls.
The Saltarelli Collection also features a beautiful 1990 Ex-Works Ducati 888 SBK, ridden in period by Giancarlo Falappa. A factory-raced 888 is a rare bike indeed, and this example represents a not-to-be-missed ownership opportunity. Other significant lots include a brace of 750SS race bikes from the 1970s including an ex-factory 1973/4 Ducati 750SS, Race Number 1, ridden in 1975 works rider Franco Uncini, and a 1974 Ducati 750SS, Race Number 23, which also boasts an illustrious racing history, having scored a number of victories and podium finishes during the 1974 and 1975 seasons, often in the hands of Carlo Saltarelli himself.
Read more and get the lowdown on how to participate on Ducati News Today.
Rossi and Hayden on the 2012 GP CRT Concept
Valentino Rossi and Nicky Hayden support the CRT concept for 2012 MotoGP. At least in theory.
Sport Rider summed it up best-
The 2012 MotoGP season will be a showdown between the haves and the have-nots. The haves are the 12 factory MotoGP machines powered by 1000cc prototype engines, the have-nots, the nine CRT machines with the heart of a production machine.
But how do Rossi and Hayden feel about this? Optimistic, at the very least.
Rossi: “It's an important season for understand the potential of the CRT and I hope that the difference of the lap times is not too big, and especially during this season coming less for the future. In a perfect world we would have 24 factory MotoGP on the grid, but unfortunately now without CRT we are just 12, I think, so it's not possible make a MotoGP race with just 12 bikes, so CRT is now the choice. We need some CRT for the grid and we hope that the difference in lap time is not so big.”
Hayden compared it to Moto2 racing: "which has been great. I mean, the racing is awesome, a lot of teams showing up, so I'm optimistic and will hold out or hold my judgment until I really see ‘em."
Karel Abraham’s 2012 Ducati Unveiled
Last week we showed you the leaked peek of Karel's 999cc 250bhp Ducati for the 2012 MotoGP races- this week we give you the finished product, unveiled for the world to see.
This is what the Ducati Desmosedici GP12 that Karel Abraham will ride in the 2012 MotoGP world championship will look like when the new season kicks off in Qatar on April 8.
Abraham’s Cardion AB Motoracing squad staged its team launch in Prague last Friday ahead of the Czech Republic rider beginning his preparations for the new 1000cc era in Sepang next week.
The first three-day test of the pre-season campaign runs between January 31 and February 2.
(from MCN)
