Getting involved with DD?

[Rattler]

I know there was a recent poll, but who's thinking about signing up to DD either for 2007 or even better for 2006? Or perhaps just getting more involved with DD?

It would be great to get more DSC guys out there, either as support or even better - as racers.

What would make you want to partake, or what stops you?

We've got a decent level of racing numbers, but we could always find room for more. And any help is always appreciated.

How could we (the DD riders) get you more involved in the series and ultimately want to race too, or just become more involved?

The ROs are doing a great job of getting rideouts organised to races, but any other ideas?

Perhaps;

- hire a DD bike?
- ride a DD bike at a trackday (DSC Cadwell trackday?)
- offer to let you be mechanic, teaboy, goffer ;) for us?
- do you feel welcome to assist / attend the races?
- is DD too removed for you?
- are you getting all of the DD information you want (or too much)?
- any other ideas?

The DD series is a DSC series and we'd like to get more DSC guys involved at all levels - what can we do?

Tim

[Edited on 21-4-2006 by Rattler]

[twpd]

Well I would like to but, I'd probably get lynched or have my bike wrecked....so I won't be doing DD.

[andyb]

I wouldnt be worthy...............:o:lol::lol::lol:

[Rattler]

Originally posted by twpd
Well I would like to but, I'd probably get lynched or have my bike wrecked....so I won't be doing DD.

Sounds like we need a chat - U2U2U

Tim

[Rattler]

Originally posted by andyb
I wouldnt be worthy...............:o:lol::lol::lol:

Why not? You're exactly the type of trackdayer, who should be doing DD.

C'mon wimp ;)

[dickieducati]

Originally posted by andyb
I wouldnt be worthy...............:o:lol::lol::lol:

no you would be.

you just wouldnt be quick enough ;)

[electricsheep]

love to ride a dd bike at a trackday, but concerned about binning it and getting it fixed before the next round

[domski]

Originally posted by electricsheep
love to ride a dd bike at a trackday, but concerned about binning it and getting it fixed before the next round

Can you fix a DD bike with broken fingers and legs?

:lol::lol:

[andyb]

Originally posted by dickieducati
Originally posted by andyb
I wouldnt be worthy...............:o:lol::lol::lol:

no you would be.

you just wouldnt be quick enough ;)

Theres only one bloke to beat.......aint there?:puzzled::D;)

[Redruth]

Good post Lord Rattler. You can't alway interest the hoy paloy in what the gentry treat as recreation though, can you? :devil::devil::devil::devil:

Joking apart, I rode one of Butch's race Monsters last year at Brands and it convinced me to buy a Monster because they can do so much more than I imagined. If any of the DD riders could stand to lend their bikes out, it would get people more in love with Ducati, worst case, and best case might encourage more people to enter the series. An excellent outcome, I reckon. :D:roll::D:roll:

[Jools]

Superb initiative Tim, I would say all of the above offered to DSC members would offer terrific involvement.

As far as information goes I love all the race reports and the DD diaries.

Like everybody else I would love a crack at riding a DD bike on a track day, perhaps tagging behind a regular DD rider to see how far off the pace I am.

I've been in the fast group before, merrily circulating with Fil and Ali. To be honest they would pull out about 30-40 metres on me over a session, but that was before they started racing, they'd probably just **** off into the distance now, but it would be nice for people to see whereabouts in the DD pack they might be...even if it was right at the back.

[domski]

Originally posted by Jools
it would be nice for people to see whereabouts in the DD pack they might be...even if it was right at the back.

Race results sheets?

Check you lap times from trackdays.

You'll normally find a second or 3 (track dependant) in a race once you start chasing someone - or you're being chased - eek!!

[NBs996]

Jools, you're right about phil and Ali getting a bit quicker through racing... I think (hope!) I have too.
With the boss's permission, I'd be happy to let you have a play on my old dd beast.
And if anyone is wanting to be a paddock gofer for a stroppy ginger-tennisball-head then I'd be most grateful for an extra pair of hands around the paddock.

n

[Redruth]

I've noticed this about men - soooo competitive. Jools, you are a very fast rider and if you had a DD bike you would be in there with a chance, no question. Maybe Cadwell trackday would be an opportunity for some DD bikes to be 'made available' usual rules apply - you bin it you fix it (or in my case, pay someone to fix it). It would be good to see the DSC trackday fans getting a taste of the DD bikes, wouldn't it? Maybe the DSC could underwrite the the event with a 'slush fund' for minor repairs. Just thinking outside the box (that's not rude, is it?) :sing::bouncy::D;)

[dickieducati]

Originally posted by Jools

Like everybody else I would love a crack at riding a DD bike on a track day, perhaps tagging behind a regular DD rider to see how far off the pace I am.



no one who is a confident rider and has maybe done a trackday or two would be off the pace. the time from the front to the back at brands last year was well over a minute so most people would be in there somewhere. i wasnt (and am still not) quick but love the racing and there is always someone to beat.

anyone thinking about it can stop worrying about the 'will i be quick enough?' bit.

[dickieducati]

also as said by nick. more than happy for someone to help out if they want to be part of it for a round and see what its all about.

[keefer]

for me its a time issue. well that and the money required to race.
and if I had the time and money I would like to race something a bit faster.
not very helpful or constructive but just the way I feel.
looks like a good season so far though

[Chris Wood]

I'm happy to offer the #10 bike up on the DSC trackday in Cadwell for demos etc.

Total value £1500-2000 I reckon and you would struggle to write one off if you were just giving it a run out.

If price is putting people off then an honest chat with any DD racer will give you the good news, it's cheaper than you think.

Our bike cost £2000 total to buy and prep for last season's racing!, this year, total of £150 on the bike and £400 on trackdays got me to Cadwell.

ANYONE and EVERYONE should at least think about it, logically and irrationally it's just great!!!

[Rob 998s]

Hey Chris - hand over the keys mate!!!!!!!!

[Redruth]

Originally posted by Chris Wood
I'm happy to offer the #10 bike up on the DSC trackday in Cadwell for demos etc.

Total value £1500-2000 I reckon and you would struggle to write one off if you were just giving it a run out.

If price is putting people off then an honest chat with any DD racer will give you the good news, it's cheaper than you think.

Our bike cost £2000 total to buy and prep for last season's racing!, this year, total of £150 on the bike and £400 on trackdays got me to Cadwell.

ANYONE and EVERYONE should at least think about it, logically and irrationally it's just great!!!

Wow, that's well cheap! BARGAIN ...

But how much does it cost to buy some racing nerve??? ;):devil:

[domski]

Originally posted by Redruth
Originally posted by Chris Wood
I'm happy to offer the #10 bike up on the DSC trackday in Cadwell for demos etc.

Total value £1500-2000 I reckon and you would struggle to write one off if you were just giving it a run out.

If price is putting people off then an honest chat with any DD racer will give you the good news, it's cheaper than you think.

Our bike cost £2000 total to buy and prep for last season's racing!, this year, total of £150 on the bike and £400 on trackdays got me to Cadwell.

ANYONE and EVERYONE should at least think about it, logically and irrationally it's just great!!!

Wow, that's well cheap! BARGAIN ...

But how much does it cost to buy some racing nerve??? ;):devil:

That's priceless ;)

[ericthered40]

My DD bike will be available at the Cadwell track day for anyone looking to give it a go.

That's if I get that far through the season. :lol:

you will have to try to stay on the grass as much as possible though as it prefers the grass there or is that just me.
:D

I will be starting my third race at Brands in the 620 Gucci class. Although I may not have a years racing under my belt I am in there and you got to be in it to win it and find out were you stand. I have learnt that track days are nothing like racing. You have to start racing rather than just ride fast. :D

I Still can't believe I am racing but got to say it is some sort of buzz when that light goes out :D

Thanks to Ant Ali Dom TP Rattler and Dicky all encouraging me to have a go. Thanks espesaly to Ali for helping me make the final decision. GWS fella

If you think you would like to ride the bike let me know.

:)

[phil_h]

You dont need anything special to race except the desire to have a go while you still can.

I am definitely not fast, but I have such terrific fun racing within my limits that it would really mess with my life if I couldnt do it.
Having been to numerous meetings now, Sue has even considered having a go, because racing is even safer than a track day, but the one thing that puts her off is the pressure to get everything right at the right time.
That is really the biggest negative - you have to be ready to perform on demand - but it is possibly responsible for the height of the buzz youget too.

So, the moral is ... have a go while you can.
This is the cheapest, most accessible, most responsible series running.
You *will*beat yourself up in a few years time if you dont.


(What will I be doing on monday evening ? Prepping my classic race bikes ready for next weekend at lydden, then the weekend after at oulton. Will I win anything ? Who cares !)

[philthy]

I can imagine the excitement of participating but also I can imagine what may stop someone

1. Cost....£2000 for a second bike is a lot of money for many of us + travel + cost of trailer or hire of van and travelling race entry expenses.

2. Lack of time to prep the bike and travel to tracks and race.

3.Fear of falling off and getting injured and possible loss of wages / job as a result.

Fear of falling off and wrecking £2000 worth of investment.

And lastly but probably most importantly....Fear of making an absolutely humiliating idiot of yourself in front of loads of other people.:D:D

[dickieducati]

Originally posted by philthy
And lastly but probably most importantly....Fear of making an absolutely humiliating idiot of yourself in front of loads of other people.:D:D

i wouldnt worry about that, some idiot even went on the first light at cadwell when it was only meant to be for the hornets to start **ahem**

[Wylie1]

Excellent post this & paticularly interesting for me as I was teetering on the edge of joining in this year!

I was lucky enough to have a go of Tonio's 620ss for one of the sessions at the Brands TA(?) last Oct. I couldn't believe how much fun a bike with so little power could be & how quick it could lap. I felt like I was taking it easy, but my lap times would have been quite competitive. I'm sure you'll get a few people hooked if they get a test-ride on a DD bike.

As I had reached a point where I was a bit bored with trackdays (feel like I'm just plodding around), I thought a bit of competition might be the edge I needed. I went home & started doing some sums.....which brings me to exactly why I didn't sign up. The only way I could afford it would be for me to sell my road bike & that simply isn't an option as I still really enjoy riding on the road, trips abroad, etc.

As I couldn't afford a season of DD, I decided to continue to look for another form of competition. So this year, I've decided to not do any trackdays at all & I've bought myself a 2-stroke KTM & I've been doing some enduro racing. It's great fun, but given the choice, I think I'd rather race DD.

For me, the only reason for not entering DD was lack of funds. From the outside looking in, it looks a great race series. Enjoy!

[ericthered40]

Originally posted by dickieducati
Originally posted by philthy
And lastly but probably most importantly....Fear of making an absolutely humiliating idiot of yourself in front of loads of other people.:D:D

i wouldnt worry about that, some idiot even went on the first light at cadwell when it was only meant to be for the hornets to start **ahem**

What would a **** like that look like :D

you can't say I wasn't ready for me first go though can you

I can do it blindfold as well you know :D

[dickieducati]

Originally posted by Wylie1

As I couldn't afford a season of DD, I decided to continue to look for another form of competition. So this year, I've decided to not do any trackdays at all & I've bought myself a 2-stroke KTM & I've been doing some enduro racing. It's great fun, but given the choice, I think I'd rather race DD.

For me, the only reason for not entering DD was lack of funds. From the outside looking in, it looks a great race series. Enjoy!

would you consider sharing a bike with another rider?

[domski]

What about asking Ducati UK if they will hand over their Multi Stroodle for the Track Attacks this year.

That's 18 different people a day that can try it out.

Just a thought :eureka:

[AK]

Originally posted by dickieducati
Originally posted by philthy
And lastly but probably most importantly....Fear of making an absolutely humiliating idiot of yourself in front of loads of other people.:D:D

i wouldnt worry about that, some idiot even went on the first light at cadwell when it was only meant to be for the hornets to start **ahem**

and we have that clearly on film too:P

will have some bikes at the Cadwell trackday but not sure which ones yet as hoping the 851 might be ready then, but will try & sort out at least one for 'testing'

[Wylie1]

Originally posted by dickieducati
Originally posted by Wylie1

As I couldn't afford a season of DD, I decided to continue to look for another form of competition. So this year, I've decided to not do any trackdays at all & I've bought myself a 2-stroke KTM & I've been doing some enduro racing. It's great fun, but given the choice, I think I'd rather race DD.

For me, the only reason for not entering DD was lack of funds. From the outside looking in, it looks a great race series. Enjoy!

would you consider sharing a bike with another rider?

I looked at that option with another dsc member, but he couldn't commit to this year's series. The lack of actual track time was also a consideration if sharing a bike.

[skidlids]

Originally posted by Rattler

- hire a DD bike?


Now what would be reasonable in this department, as I have a 2nd 600SS road bike sat in the workshop, along with a New Jet kit, K&N Filter, 900SSie longer shock Micron race can and hopefully Scooter916 will sort me a link pipe this weekend. Also have a fibreglass centre piece for the fairing to go where the headlight is.

Also got a 16mm Mastercylinder off the 620 Monster to upgrade the front brake along with aeroquip lines.

From there its not going to take much else may even replace my existing Diablos early to put the right tyres on it.

Main thing to find would be a bellypan which I can ask Tony Brancatto about.

Could prep to sell or prep to hire may be an alternative to trying to sell as a road bike

[Rattler]

Originally posted by skidlids
Originally posted by Rattler

- hire a DD bike?


Now what would be reasonable in this department, as I have a 2nd 600SS road bike sat in the workshop, along with a New Jet kit, K&N Filter, 900SSie longer shock Micron race can and hopefully Scooter916 will sort me a link pipe this weekend. Also have a fibreglass centre piece for the fairing to go where the headlight is.

Also got a 16mm Mastercylinder off the 620 Monster to upgrade the front brake along with aeroquip lines.

From there its not going to take much else may even replace my existing Diablos early to put the right tyres on it.

Main thing to find would be a bellypan which I can ask Tony Brancatto about.

Could prep to sell or prep to hire may be an alternative to trying to sell as a road bike

Dunno really - depends upon the level of interest. It would be fee to hire - £100? + cover all expenses ?

And an agreement that if you break it you replace it. I know that Louigi was trying to offer similar last year - were there any takers?


- the other thing that might get DSCers involved would be to provide a small amount of sponsorship to cover fuel, or entries, or tyres - as much or as little as appropriate, and the DSCer would get his/her name (or company name) on the side of the bike for a race (or races?).

Then there would be a level of involvement in the series and someone to follow?

I'm glad there has been some positive comments to this - 'tis good!!!

Anyone want to sponsor my umbrella for tomorrow????:D

Tim

[DC]

:(
Umm, Time.

Time, time and guess what? Time. Oh and a lack of cash at the moment as I have just bought a house and will be the DIY/builder slave for at least the rest of this year.

Id love to come and watch a few races though.

DC.

[deej]

i might be able to offer a hand at the castle coombe event if anyone needs it drop me a u2u.ta

my main reason for not entering was the cost of the deisel to get from cornwall to each meeting, well over a £1000 over the cost of a season and i 'd have to sell the road bike which may have been worth the sacrifice if it meant i could race.

[Scooter916]

Originally posted by deej
i might be able to offer a hand at the castle coombe event if anyone needs it drop me a u2u.ta

my main reason for not entering was the cost of the deisel to get from cornwall to each meeting, well over a £1000 over the cost of a season and i 'd have to sell the road bike which may have been worth the sacrifice if it meant i could race.
Deej
SELL the road bike LOL
Glyn

[phillc]

Originally posted by Rattler
- the other thing that might get DSCers involved would be to provide a small amount of sponsorship to cover fuel, or entries, or tyres - as much or as little as appropriate, and the DSCer would get his/her name (or company name) on the side of the bike for a race (or races?).

You mean something like this?

http://kapitalmoto.co.uk/node/18

http://kapitalmoto.co.uk/node/22

I can concur that it's a lot of fun and a great way to get involved. All racers could do with a little extra support and generally really appreciate it when others take an interest in what they're doing.

http://kapitalmoto.co.uk/files/kmsponsorship.jpg

[deej]

yeah i treid that glyn but no-one wanted to buy it :puzzled::puzzled:

won the engine on ebay and had enough left over to win the breil watch too :o:o:o:o just need to find a way of getting to uckfield to collect the damn engine now

[Fiver]

i just saw my first race/trackday on my hols here in the states, and i am hooked.
i really want to give it a whirl now...I just dont have the time/money to spare at the moment.

With regard to trackdays, do you need any license extensions etc ?
Also, my body is kinda shagged. Are there any health restrictions to going out on a track?

[Scooter916]

Originally posted by deej
yeah i treid that glyn but no-one wanted to buy it :puzzled::puzzled:

won the engine on ebay and had enough left over to win the breil watch too :o:o:o:o just need to find a way of getting to uckfield to collect the damn engine now

You really must try harder, Or sell the 748 cheaper,,,,LOL
Glyn

[weeksy2]

Superb post Tim...nice ideas all round. I must admit Ruth's one of people using them on Cadwell track attack is a very very good idea.

Much as i've been 'loud' and seeingly 'down' on the DD series in some peoples estimation i DO think it's an exceptional task and a very good series that the club has set up. (sometimes i just dislike certain ideas). THe paddock banter seems to be very very good and the desire to help and fix one anothers bikes is superb (Just mix a bbit more with the rest of the paddock lads, there are some cracking guys out there).

Much as i'd love to come along to more meetings, i've comitted to helping out another mate as much as possile this season (which i why i was not at Brands) However i will be at more than a couple this season because they are the same weekends as DD races.

As for riding in the series and getting more riders out there... i'm not exacctly sure how the best plan would come about for that. Possibly a little advertising outside of 'Ducati' world as potential for 'Novice' riders to join the series ?

The BMF should be a really really good gateway for riders to be picked up for the series and i'm pleased Everton has noticed this and is taking it on-board.

I hope the series grows from strength to strength.

[deej]

well said there young weeksy

some really good points have been raised on here and its good to see the club getting the recognition it deserves.

[RickyX]

I'd love to get more involved with DD either to ride or do a bit of spanner twirling....unfortunately I just ain't got the free time available to make it worthwhile.

If somebody wants to lend me their DD bike for a spin on a trackday though I'd be up for that.......:frog:

RX

[psychlist]

Haven't contemplated the logistics but more than happy for my DD583 to be available for the BMF and for test rides to anyone in the club thinking about joining us and, so long as it doesn't clash with the races, anytime BUT...
Once you've tried it you won't want to stop, like Weeksy said a long time ago, racing IS addictive :biaggi:

[Griff 64]

When considering the cost of DD i reasoned it through based of the following,

1. Cost of the bike.Was going to change road bike which would of cost at least another£2000/£3000 on top of cost of current bike,and that money would depreciate away over next 2/3 years anyway.

Built race bike for under £1700.Its got to be worth that and for a while aswell
Road bike is more than good enough.IF you want to go fast do it on track

2. Vans and transport are all saleable assets at end of season

3 Time.Iwork a 60 hour week.2 kids,wife.Think of all the DIY you can get out of know your a racer:D

4.We are only here once.This is not a dress rehersal

5.I don,t think the bikes are slow.I was passing and leaving all types of jap multi track bikes at a Brands trackday.Its the corner speed that counts

Hope this helps

[domski]

Very good points Griff.

Espec the slow bit. If anyone thinks these bikes are slow and boring - come and show us how to win slow races!!

It sure doesn't feel slow, and it takes a good rider to get a result on a DD bike than an average rider with 140bhp.

Anyone is fast in a straight line :P

Do DD and learn how to ride properly ;)

[psychlist]

Originally posted by domski

Do 583 and learn how to ride properly ;)

Spoken like a true gent :burn:

[deej]

some very good points raised there guys

will look into it for next year