Ducati see no problem with engine life protection measures

As sporting activities the world over focus more closely on cost reduction procedures, the forward-thinking executives behind the top motorcycle racing teams have been meeting to discuss their own ideas on how to save resources in the long term.

The most costly component of a MotoGP bike, the engine powering 800cc machines to success are put under intense pressure over the course of a Grand Prix weekend. Ducati Corse CEO Claudio Domenicali is one of the first to speak about the issue of prolonging the life of the motors, revealing his willingness to listen to ideas on the matter at the recent Wrooom event.

`As long as there is a procedure that is the same for all the manufacturers, then there wouldn´t be any effect on competitiveness,´ says Domenicali. `We have discussed with the other manufacturers the implementation time frame for any engine regulations.

`To extend the life of the engine we would need to change some components. We would also need time to develop these parts.´

Whilst such regulations would not be brought in with immediate effect, Ducati are themselves looking towards some quick-fix solutions to the issue of engine life.

`For 2009 we are thinking more about reducing track time, to achieve savings even with the current bikes.´

Ducati officially presented their Desmosedici GP9 bike, which features a new carbon-fibre chassis, at Wrooom.