GSE to enter WSBK with factory Ducati support & Max Biaggi ?
Discussion
After quitting BSB over the rules concerning the new 1098 Ducati it seems they have managed to get sponsorship for WSBK (something they said they wouldn't do as their current sponsors had no interest outside the UK) and not only that but Max Biaggi as a rider for them.
Leon Camier as team mate mentioned with Haslam going to HM Plant Honda. !
Leon Camier as team mate mentioned with Haslam going to HM Plant Honda. !
Crash.net said:
But it has now emerged that he is likely to be staying in WSBK - on board a factory backed Ducati, fielded by British team, GSE. SpeedTV.com uncovered the interesting tie up from "reliable Italian sources."
GSE team owner, Darrell Healey told Crash.net at the final BSB round at Brands Hatch, that his team wouldn't continue to race in the UK unless the 1098 Ducati's were allowed to run non-standard pistons. The team's return to World Superbike was also thought to be thwarted, due to problems finding a sponsor that wanted European exposure. However, a big name like Biaggi could help solve GSE's WSBK funding issues, possibly helped by support from Ducati and championship organiser's FG Sport - who are sure to want the Roman to remain in Superbike racing.
The GSE ride could be the ideal lifeline for Biaggi, who seems unlikely to get a MotoGP seat at Honda
Gresini, his only other rumoured option. The GSE team would have direct factory backing, which is a must to nab a rider like Biaggi. Troy Bayliss stated in an interview at Vallelunga that he was expecting six 1098s on the grid in 2008, which would suggest two Xerox machines, two Sterilgarda and two allocated to GSE.
Another interesting twist to the story is that Leon Camier is likely to partner Biaggi. Camier is still recovering from his horrific accident at Cadwell Park, where he dislocated his knee, broke his femur and cracked his pelvis.
The 2007 BSB rookie had previously been linked to the GSE team, should it move back to World Superbikes
next season, but as team-mate to Leon Haslam. However, when GSE stated at Brands that it had been forced to withdraw from racing, Haslam is thought to have made the move to HM Plant Honda for 2008.
Big question mark on the heading though, anything that mentions "reliable Italian sources." has to be taken with a pinch of 'sale'.GSE team owner, Darrell Healey told Crash.net at the final BSB round at Brands Hatch, that his team wouldn't continue to race in the UK unless the 1098 Ducati's were allowed to run non-standard pistons. The team's return to World Superbike was also thought to be thwarted, due to problems finding a sponsor that wanted European exposure. However, a big name like Biaggi could help solve GSE's WSBK funding issues, possibly helped by support from Ducati and championship organiser's FG Sport - who are sure to want the Roman to remain in Superbike racing.
The GSE ride could be the ideal lifeline for Biaggi, who seems unlikely to get a MotoGP seat at Honda
Gresini, his only other rumoured option. The GSE team would have direct factory backing, which is a must to nab a rider like Biaggi. Troy Bayliss stated in an interview at Vallelunga that he was expecting six 1098s on the grid in 2008, which would suggest two Xerox machines, two Sterilgarda and two allocated to GSE.
Another interesting twist to the story is that Leon Camier is likely to partner Biaggi. Camier is still recovering from his horrific accident at Cadwell Park, where he dislocated his knee, broke his femur and cracked his pelvis.
The 2007 BSB rookie had previously been linked to the GSE team, should it move back to World Superbikes
next season, but as team-mate to Leon Haslam. However, when GSE stated at Brands that it had been forced to withdraw from racing, Haslam is thought to have made the move to HM Plant Honda for 2008.
As i heard it... Ducatti wanted bigger engine size, so that they didnt have to use such expensive componants inside to make the power they need.
So now they want bigger engine AND expensive internals?
See this is why I hate Ducattis (except for Moto GP where they deserve their success cos they race to the same rules as everyone else)
I've boycotted WSB and BSB all year cos I'm so pissed off with Duc, I can't watch it without ranting about it. So I dont!
So now they want bigger engine AND expensive internals?
See this is why I hate Ducattis (except for Moto GP where they deserve their success cos they race to the same rules as everyone else)
I've boycotted WSB and BSB all year cos I'm so pissed off with Duc, I can't watch it without ranting about it. So I dont!
Yoda954 said:
Correct me if I'm wrong, but I thought Ducati were dictating...ahem, errr....I mean that they would race 1200's in WSBK....or is the 1098 going to be bored out to 1200?
They have got a bigger engine to run in the WSBK bikes. And as per the rules reguarding homoglation(sp) they will use that bigger engine in the 1098R, just like they used to with the old 916/996 range.Taz666 said:
Yoda954 said:
Correct me if I'm wrong, but I thought Ducati were dictating...ahem, errr....I mean that they would race 1200's in WSBK....or is the 1098 going to be bored out to 1200?
They have got a bigger engine to run in the WSBK bikes. And as per the rules reguarding homoglation(sp) they will use that bigger engine in the 1098R, just like they used to with the old 916/996 range.
Conian said:
Um.. so whats happening in BSB?
They can use the 1098? ... but only if it is 1098cc and standard pistons?
I think BSB need to stay in-line with WSB on this one.
They are using the bigger engined 1098 just like the WSBK boys, but the difference is that in BSB they cant use the stronger pistons or conrods unlike the WSBK boys. The BSB rules state something like that all teams can only use standard pistons and conrods, which for the 4 cylinder bikes is fine, but the twins will struggle to rev high enough on standard internals.They can use the 1098? ... but only if it is 1098cc and standard pistons?
I think BSB need to stay in-line with WSB on this one.
castrolcraig said:
on pirellis as well so here come the wildcards at wsbk events!!!!
That would be great, but i doubt we'll see many out there... with the difference in tuning regs between bsb & wsb.. the bsb teams would've to specailly prepare a bike to wsb regs to be competative... imo the new bsb regs are the way to go, it's just a shame that wsb didn't adopt the same regs!
JS99 said:
castrolcraig said:
on pirellis as well so here come the wildcards at wsbk events!!!!
That would be great, but i doubt we'll see many out there... with the difference in tuning regs between bsb & wsb.. the bsb teams would've to specailly prepare a bike to wsb regs to be competative... imo the new bsb regs are the way to go, it's just a shame that wsb didn't adopt the same regs!oh and airwaves to run lavilla plus 1 in bsb, camier to rizla suzuki........
have'nt been keeping up with events, Why are dukes allowed to run 1200 in wsb, what is the issue with the pistons they are not allowded to use, are the twins allowed to be lighter than the four cylinder bikes, dukes always had advantage when they raced with750 are the same rules applied.
aquarama said:
Why are dukes allowed to run 1200 in wsb, what is the issue with the pistons they are not allowded to use,
Taz666 said:
They are using the bigger engined 1098 just like the WSBK boys, but the difference is that in BSB they cant use the stronger pistons or conrods unlike the WSBK boys. The BSB rules state something like that all teams can only use standard pistons and conrods, which for the 4 cylinder bikes is fine, but the twins will struggle to rev high enough on standard internals.
castrolcraig said:
wsbk has normal superbike tuning limits, but bsb are running superstock style engine rules with unlimited chassis tuning.
aquarama said:
are the twins allowed to be lighter than the four cylinder bikes, dukes always had advantage when they raced with750 are the same rules applied.
FourWheelDrift said:
the new rules to say the twin motorcycles will be 6kg heavier than four cylinders (168kg to 162Kg) and will also have a 50-mm air restrictor fitted.
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