Easton on 749R
 

Stuart Easton has signed a deal to ride a Ducati 749R in next years British Supersport Championship.

Easton, who rode for the JH Performance Ducati Coventry Team in 2004 has agreed a deal with his team boss of last year, John Hackett and new team partner Phil Jessopp of Ducati Bristol that will see him pilot a Ducati 749R throughout the season in the newly formed team. The 2002 British Supersport Champion will be joined by new team member Martin Jessop who moves up to British Supersport after his debut season in Superstock last year where he contested the championship on a Ducati 999.

Stuart commented on his appointment, "I'm really pleased to sign for a full season on board the 749R. Last year was a tough season, but switching back to the Supersport Championship and jumping on a bike as competitive as the 749R really boosted my confidence. I really believe we have the potential to be a serious title contender in 2005."

The team, who are still yet to be officially named, will have official support from Ducati UK.

Even more to look forward to next season, I thought he did really well on the 749R last season, lets hope the bike is still a front runner next year and with Karl Harris moving to Superbikes Rat Boy could be in with a chance

Cracking rider. Will be good to see him back on competitive stuff for a full season.

Yes,good news indeed!! I was talking to John & Rick at JHP the other day,they're really excited & fired up for a good year with Stuart!!
A proven championship winner on a competitive bike,tuned/set up by a class team,should give Ducati fans something to cheer in the supersport class!!

Weeksy - a tenner says he finishes the season top 3 - is it a bet?

Had a chat with John about the 749R last time I was down there, the main problem from what I can figure was tyres, the bike was the fastest thing in the class, but the tyres were spinning on the rims from the datalogging, they switched to Dunlops, and were 2 seconds a lap quicker within 5 laps!

Good lad

Does your missus know you are taking risks with such a large amount of money???:lol:

If I win it's McDonalds on the the way home for me and you, if I lose (which I won't) it's coming out of our BSB donut fund.

So let me get this right,you're taking the risk with OUR donut fund,not YOUR tenner!! Don't know if i like the thought of that,afterall i've got my fatboy figure to look after!!
Best hope you don't lose or else i'll be falling down grid holes!!:lol:

Weeksy,

I supprized at you !That a fellow Ducatist like us all would **** off the same product that we all enjoy to ride on the road or on the track!

I would also have to say that 'non competitive' 749R from JHP that you refer too is a little harsh when the facts have not been taken into account !
Putting aside the fact of a brand new team into SuperSport with very little help from the Boys in Bolonga also Stuart having a short season in 2004.

If anybody would like to checked the speed trap times at Cadwell Park for 2004 you will find out that Matt and Stuart 145.8/145.5mph where as the closest rival was over 1/2 sec slowler.

Watch this space! 2005 looks a promissing year for JHP Coventry..

Ferrari Pete

I'm with these guys, theres no way the 749 is uncompetitive, top 3 easy! :frog:

Mr W is a fully paid up rice burner at the mo'

Based on this year in WSS where tyres are not a variable factor Lanzi didn't need to send his name to the man that engraves the trophies.

In British supersport if a 749r can get a tyre advantage then it might be a different story for 2005. Stuart won on a 748r but the rice burners have come on in leaps and bounds since then.

At least Ducati could still Win in WSB.

Don't let brand loyalty cloud yer Judgement.

Ray.

Looking at it another way, they 749 was in it's developement year in 2004, and still got some very decent results in the the most competitive of classes. The French SS championship was won by a 749. For 2005 they have data for all the tracks and another winter of developement. It was plenty fast enough last year and a little more work sorting the chassis will turn it into a true title contender. Also Stuart Easton will be hungry this year - he has a point to prove. And in BSS the best rider has left the class.

Stuart Easton BSS champion 2005
:burn:

A little bird at JHP told me that the 749R is produced 145BHP,now that's not bad for a 750 twin!
Perhaps our donut money is safe eh Steve!!:lol:

Fear not, the 749 WILL do the business next year the donut fund is safe.

Steve you obviously don't realise how much a part of a BSB meeting donuts are for me and BB.:lol:

No seriously, I think the only thing the 749 needs is a slight improvement in the chassis or suspension somewhere and it's not much of an improvement that's needed, remember at this level a very small change can make the difference between first and fifth. As the power is already there then most of the effort will have been put into the handling.

As for Ducati domination in any class, I don't really like to see it. I would much prefer to see the Ducati's battling for positions with lots of other makes, it's what makes racing truly interesting as well as exiting and the reason why I'm looking forward to next years SS championship so much. I'f there are 3 or 4 makes going for race wins and Ducati is one of them, then that'll do me. I suppose I support Ducati just like a football fan supports their team - you have to have faith. Either way it's looking another cracking season.:burn:

Did you see Alan Cathcart's test in Racer? He seems to think they could do it this year.

Come on Steve... i expect better from you than banal banter about Donughts..
Come on Mr W,there's no need for that!
Surely rider choice is important too,Karl Harris was a little above the rest of the riders in the class,he's now moved to BSB so that's him out of thr equasion!
With all due respect,Matt L is a little past his sell by date,Laverty hadn't ridden a twin before & Stuart only came in late in the season!
JHP now have a seasons data to use & now have an qualified Ducati pilot on board from the off,i think Stuart & the 749R will do better than you think!

BB - I'm sure Weeksy said that with tongue firmly in cheek, he likes a bit of mickey taking mixed in with the banter as much as we do. It's just going to be hard for him to watch those buzzy GXS600R's getting whupped by that Testastretta engine!!!

But hey - me old matey is supporting me - arr, he's a good lad that BB.

;)

ok it didn't win, but it was hardly outclassed either. Keep that tenner handy Weeksy;)