| I have been thinking of our current race regs and how to increase the field of entries for future proofing our very successful series.
As you know, we have two classes:
Class A – fuel injected 618cc capacity machines 65bhp 150kg
Class B – Carbed 583cc capacity machines 53bhp 154kg
The intent of the series (correct me if wrong), is to provide a race series for Ducati enthusiasts witth Class B for those with limited experience and Class A those with more.
Class B gets around 20-25 entries for rounds with class A 10-12 currently.
The combined grids work ok currently, shorter tracks giving rise to the number of lapped riders. Its mainly A’s doing the lapping along with certain B riders who are quick.
There have been thoughts on introducing a more current machine to the grid to activley increase the entrants in class A. The current combined grid could not continue with a vast increase in entrants from class A, the max field being 35(?) riders. Therefore an increase would nescessitate split races, potentially increasing costs.
The ages status of our current machines as also been brought into queestion. Will DD be a classic bike series in the near future without encouraging newer models into thee fold? Our nearest relations in machine type would be minitwins and in terms of cost CB500 cup. So are those the series we need to target to poach additional entries? Or, as currently, remain a ducati enthusiast series?
There are a number of newer models on the market (SSie, ST2, ST4, 800, 695, 696,796) that can be purchased from £1500 to £6000ish. SV650’s range from £1200 to £4500ish (fully prepped) and CB500’s from £500 to £1800ish.
BHP wise, minitwins are about 75-85bhp and CB500’s 50bhp. Therefore class B is the Cb500 equivalent and minitwins outgunning the class A bikes by 20bhp for a good un.
I would like to leave class B alone, run as it is with healthy grids.
Class A, does it need an injection of modernity? I would like to move upto Class A in the next season or two, just for the craic. But I can’t see Class A entries increasing without more modern machinery being available for the grid. And an increase in Class A would require ( IMHO) a separate grid, not combined, not split starts.
So to see a separate A grid would realistically require 20 plus entrants. On modern(er) machinery , with upto 85bhp, costing upto £4500 prepped. Do any of the previouslmt mentioned machines fit the bill? ST2 80ish bhp but getting long in tooth, st4 100bhp but getting long in tooth, 800ss 75bhp and getting on, 796 80bhp, 695 70bhp.
How about an 85bhp limit Class A evo? And a 53 bhp limit Class B? Two grids, to start racing in 2013 season? Buy em, build em, race em , wreck em?  |