Ducati Sporting Club UK > Sport > Race > Is anyone keen for Thunderbikes?

[phoenix n max]

I think there will be a mass defection from a few classes if this one turns out like they say. Time will tell.

[Felix]

Originally posted by Scooter916
HMMM
Is it a 450 twin??

Nope, not enough power, and probably not sturdy enough for road racing. Currently, the engine has a rebuild schedule of 30 hours. And, they delayed its launch because of engine casting problems (so the rumours suggest). February at the earliest now. Nice engine, though.

[Felix]

Originally posted by skidlids
trouble with entering Thunderbikes in its first year is you can't be sure if you have made the right choice, bit like fitting a Big Bore kit to a 583 Desmo Due and expecting it to be competitive with a 620 injection bike.

Better the known routes, like Sound of Thunder.

Couldn't agree more, Kev. The biggest uncertainty, aside from the series even getting of the ground, is the clear objective to make Buells competitive. So, if you build yourself a nice 1000DS based race bike and you blow them away, they'll likely change the rules to make you less competitive. Not to my taste, really.

NG sounds like a nice paddock. Must make an effort to enter one of their races next year. Do they ever come north?

[Scooter916]

HMM very interesting, Does sound the dogs tho, the only thing I have seen and heard that would probably do well in thunderbikes is one of dave pearce (tigcraft) hybrids. One of his frames with rs250 geometry and a overbored tuned gpz500s motor in it. From what i recall it won plenty of sot races.
www.tigcraft.com
Glyn

[Monty]

You're getting warm, but you're not hot yet...........

John

[TP]

The rules are following a formula that is already being run in the US and is quite competitive apparently. With the 1000DS being one of the front-runners I understand.

I don't think it will change much by the sounds of things nor will it fold after a year. There seems to be some support from dealerships etc as well, I spoke to the organiser yesterday.

[TP]

Originally posted by Monty
You're getting warm, but you're not hot yet...........

John

You're such a tease! You and bloody Felix!

[Felix]

TP, I am sure you're right. I wasn't trying to knock the series. More choices can only be better.

[TP]

Originally posted by Felix
TP, I am sure you're right. I wasn't trying to knock the series. More choices can only be better.

Sorry I didn't mean to infer that you were. (after you sir, no after you ...)

I don't quite see myself as an evangelist for the series either, although it probably comes across that way. I just think it offers a competitive racing home for what I see as the flagship two valve Ducati, so some heritage style racing. It's kind of romantic I know but there you go.

Don't tell my wife I used that R word! She thinks I don't know what it means and it's cheaper if it stays that way!

[Felix]

You mean "R" as in romantic? I promise I won't tell her!