MotoGP testing 1000cc on track for 2012 season
The MotoGP has new regulations for the prototype GP bikes to set a new engine capacity for the coming 2012 MotoGP season.
For past three years, 1000cc were replaced by more moderate 800cc, but this breed could not last long, after which MotoGP decided to bring back the beast in the 2012 MotoGP season.
Many MotoGP teams have tested their 1000cc prototypes for the upcoming season. Including other MotoGP teams Ducati is now seeking to put their bike on the track testing. The team plans to put their new Ducati GP on track test at Jerez circuit, Spain,
later this week.
Ducati Team Boss Vittoriano Guareschi revealed that durability test were completed in Bologna, Italy, and the dyno testing has also been completed. The technical chief for Ducati, Filippo Preziosi has a plan to build a new GP12 prototype machine before
the time for Jerez testing. The bike will be moved to Jerez under the hands of Guareschi and test rider Franco Battaini for further track testing.
The Ducati factory at Bologna has already booked a test session at Jerez commencing from Thursday to test some important changes in the present season. The new designed engine is believed to have a heavier crankshaft and a re-arranged firing order
to give a smoother power output to the rear wheel. Rossi has pointed this issue since he first rode the GP11 in last November at Valencia.
There are also expectations to have a new carbon chassis in the GP11 for the Jerez test, but currently the Ducati engineers are working on the chassis. Some other chances are also that the newly designed chassis will be debuted by Rossi just after
the next race at Estoril, MotoGP of Portugal, during a single day test session at the same track.
The Ducati was back to designing after the Italian rider told the team that the present GP11 machine lacks the winning gut in it.
Rossi finished seventh at the season opener race at Losail, Qatar and made a better finish at fifth place in Jerez MotoGP, even after falling in the race. Rossi still said that Ducati is not fast enough in dry conditions. Previously, Rossi seemed to
be satisfied with the GP11 but now he has called for numerous changes and upgrades to be tested in a single day test session after the Grand Prix at Estoril, Portugal.
One of the Rossi’s complaints were that the bike understeers in corners, but can be sorted by set-up modifications. Jerry Burgess the crew chief for Rossi reckons that Casey Stoner, who claimed victory in 23 races in his Ducati era, did not feel any
problems with understeer of the bike due to his unique riding style.
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