Maybe it's not all just Traction Control?
Posted: Wed Apr 23, 2008 1:32 pm
From (Julian) RyderNotes - In response to suggestions that it's all about traction control these days:
All of which conveniently ignores a few facts. The nature of MotoGP bikes indisputably changed with the lowering of the capacity to 800cc, but it is the one-liter reduction in fuel tank capacity to 21 liters that has been most significant, certainly in terms of electronic control. First, a basic truth. Traction control only matters when you don't have enough grip. It mattered a lot with the 990s' excess of power on worn tires, but it doesn't get used at all when an 800 is out on qualifiers thanks to their excess of grip. The vast majority of the work on electronics is currently focussed on fueling, on how to use those 21 liters most efficiently. Qatar saw Hondas running out of fuel on the slowdown lap, something Ducati have previously been best at. Fillipo Prezioso, Ducati Corse's Technical Director, is known to get very upset if there is more than a small wine glass's worth of fuel in the tank at the flag. After all, anything left at the finish is a waste of the potential to go faster. The clever trick is burning the fuel where it does most good. Last year we saw some Hondas slide rapidly down field in the closing laps as the engine management software leaned the carburetion right off to make sure they finished. One of Casey Stoner's major talents is being able to race the Ducati when its motor is in that viciously-peaky lean mode, something no other rider has been able to do. That's nothing to do with electronic aids and everything to do with the rider.
All of which conveniently ignores a few facts. The nature of MotoGP bikes indisputably changed with the lowering of the capacity to 800cc, but it is the one-liter reduction in fuel tank capacity to 21 liters that has been most significant, certainly in terms of electronic control. First, a basic truth. Traction control only matters when you don't have enough grip. It mattered a lot with the 990s' excess of power on worn tires, but it doesn't get used at all when an 800 is out on qualifiers thanks to their excess of grip. The vast majority of the work on electronics is currently focussed on fueling, on how to use those 21 liters most efficiently. Qatar saw Hondas running out of fuel on the slowdown lap, something Ducati have previously been best at. Fillipo Prezioso, Ducati Corse's Technical Director, is known to get very upset if there is more than a small wine glass's worth of fuel in the tank at the flag. After all, anything left at the finish is a waste of the potential to go faster. The clever trick is burning the fuel where it does most good. Last year we saw some Hondas slide rapidly down field in the closing laps as the engine management software leaned the carburetion right off to make sure they finished. One of Casey Stoner's major talents is being able to race the Ducati when its motor is in that viciously-peaky lean mode, something no other rider has been able to do. That's nothing to do with electronic aids and everything to do with the rider.
