Ducati Sporting Club UK > DesmoDue Race Series > DesmoDue - General Questions and Chat > Who's best to run DD - the DSC!

[888heaven]

[quote=Fordie]
A long long time ago when all this DDing was in its infancy I remember thinking Wow members of this club would get the oppotunity to go out and race each other on track, no that (correct me if im wrong)was a first . The first race at Cadwell saw "what you bring, you race" all sorts of bikes put together basically by the individual members . Some bikes were more profesional than other ,it did'nt matter, everone was there for the same reason,to get out on track and RACE. A lot of work was then put into "developing" a better bike, as we saw the "Profesional" "factory bikes tearing of down the field ahead of our own DSC members all out for the reason of racing fellow club member. So more money and effort was needed to keep competitive, not by one but by all. I don't think any one can say racing is not expensive even in our own club series,

5p's worth from an ordinary member.

I thought along with a lot of other members, that this extension of the Clubs riding outlets was intended for the entry and enjoyment of all, yes no ones naive in thinking racing is going to be cheap but this series was set up so that it was kept to the bare esentials.
Developing better bikes more money etc has already started to make it elitest and out of reach for more people than it was when it was started.

So if a % of riders decide this year say that they want to spend X more on their bikes to stay competitive where will it end.
we all know a rich persons track day.

I dont mind if the club has spent a percentage setting it up and funding promotion any more than funding other activities that I have'nt had chance to partake in either due to time or distance,but that does'nt mean participating members have the right to price it out of range of ordinary members.
If you cant win the DD on a bog standard unmodified bike you should'nt be allowed to throw money at it.

ian

[domski]

Originally Posted by 888heaven

If you cant win the DD on a bog standard unmodified bike you should'nt be allowed to throw money at it.

ian

That's lucky for me then

[888heaven]

Originally Posted by domski

That's lucky for me then

I heard yours was Dog standard

[domski]

Originally Posted by 888heaven

I heard yours was Dog standard

It's just got an Ohlins rear shock, K&N filter and Termi silencers.

That's it!

The shock is a luxury really (Chass just took it off his 916) as I think the standard one was fine.

[antonye]

Originally Posted by 888heaven

If you cant win the DD on a bog standard unmodified bike you should'nt be allowed to throw money at it.

If you read the rules there's not much that you really can throw money at, and if you do then the power gain is so little that you'd be better off learning to ride it better ... which was the whole point of the series in the first place!

[Loz]

888heaven, where's your roundel? (joke!)
I have to say, your comments have struck a chord with me.

When DD was first touted to me, (I believe at Track Attack 2.5 but my memory can play tricks on me), I was led to believe that it would be for DSC Members, riding essentially unmodified bikes, and that it would be just about the cheapest way to race motorbikes.

DD in reality seems to be fairly close to that ideal, but somehow the usual racing formula that competiveness is directly porportional to expenditure applies. In my naivety, I feel sad that this is the case but I suspect it is unavoidable - unless the rules about modifications were made stricter, of course.

In all other respects, and being largely unaware of any politics that may be going on behind the scenes, I have to say that as a member of DSC, I'm proud of what has been accomplished by the Club and the DD racers/Team Owners. What a fantastic achievement for all concerned.

[Rattler]

Originally Posted by Loz

888heaven, where's your roundel? (joke!)
I have to say, your comments have struck a chord with me.

When DD was first touted to me, (I believe at Track Attack 2.5 but my memory can play tricks on me), I was led to believe that it would be for DSC Members, riding essentially unmodified bikes, and that it would be just about the cheapest way to race motorbikes.

DD in reality seems to be fairly close to that ideal, but somehow the usual racing formula that competiveness is directly porportional to expenditure applies. In my naivety, I feel sad that this is the case but I suspect it is unavoidable - unless the rules about modifications were made stricter, of course.

In truth a DD race can be won by a rider on a virtually standard bike, with only minimal modifications for race compliance. Domski's efforts are evidence of this as he rode a late Monster that had race cans and race airfilter performance mods only. And the fact that he was beaten in one race this year by Glen Graham on an older, nearer stock 620ss is further proof.

You can spend lots of money on the bike, fairings, PC111's, dyno time, trick suspension, etc, etc, but the best riders will run at the front whatever they are on.

The rules on modifications are pretty restrictive and ensure that; In DD, a slow rider on a fast bike will always be beaten by a fast rider on a slow bike.

Tim

[domski]

Originally Posted by Rattler

...he was beaten in one race this year by Glen Graham on an older, nearer stock 620ss...

I wish you lot would stop reminding me about that!!

Glenn's even more stock bike does have pipes, filter AND a chip(?) also re-valved forks which mine doesn't. Dunno what shock he's got though, it looks standard

He just rode better at the last corner - git

I agree though, a good rider on a stock bike, will beat a slow rider on a fast bike. There are some seriously fast bikes out there, I'm worried what will happen when a quick rider jumps on one!!

[Loz]

Dom & Tim
I do accept that the best rider is likely to win, whatever he/she rides, within a given set of rules, provided the difference in ability is enough to overcome the shortcomings of his bike. I also accept that a slow rider will most likely not win, no matter how much is spent, given the modification restrictions in place in DD.

I also note that in the examples quoted - Dom and Graham - the bikes are modified, performance-wise, compared to stock bikes. I've seen the amount of money quoted on the message board as having been spent on bikes by some of the competitors. My over-all impression is that a good deal of money (sometimes very serious amounts) is being spent on what is a an entry-level, grass-roots club series. Further, if you are a "middle of the road" sort of racer, you are not only going to be beaten by riders with more ability (fair enough), you may not be competitive compared to other MotR racers with more money than you (which runs against the original DD ethos as I understand it).

Still, I am somewhat re-assured that the riders themselves do not seem to feel that this is an issue.

Anyway, I'm only jealous of the DDers cos the original series was going to be for 750's (I've got one of those and was half-toying with the idea of having a go - I can't afford another whole bike).

[Loz]

Kev, thanks for your input. I am a little unclear where the line is drawn between replacing worn-out original parts with equivalent modern gear and what represents a performance upgrade. I guess that is sometimes a grey area.

I appreciate the time spent bringing me up to speed with all this.