Ducati Out for AMA Superbike next year

I read on speedtv.com that Ducati will be pulling out of AMA Superbike. AMA SBK: Ducati Out in '07; Ciabatti Explains Written by: Chris Martin Ducati Corse Superbike Director Paolo Ciabatti explained, “We have decided and taken the final decision just very recently that we won’t have a team next year in AMA Superbike. There are several different reasons. “First of all, we see that here with the current technical rules, even though we have been allowed from Laguna Seca to use the full electronics including traction control and have improved our performance, it’s hard to be fighting for the win. Ducati as a company has always entered factory teams in championships where we can challenge for the championship win. Sometimes we manage and sometimes we don’t, but it is a bit frustrating here to see that we are far behind the leading Suzukis. “Naturally, they have a very good team, a very good bike, and very good riders. Still, we see this gap as too big for us to accept. Perhaps we could improve things here, still there is something on the technical side which is just making it even harder than it could be to try and win.” Sucks to here that they are pulling out next year. Ciabatti also mentions that it will only be temporary. Well atleast Yamaha is joing the Superbike series. Should be an interesting series as yamaha are doing extremely well on the other 3 classes

Looks like the frustration had finally taken its toll. :infrandom Ducati had always enjoy the success up until recent years when they finally allowed inline fours to increase their displacements to 1000cc. I still remember the heated debates regarding V-1000s vs 750 inline fours at the races and in local bars well. Can you blame Ducati? I think Ducati/Cagiva has too much pride, and didn't want to rest solely on its fanbase and name. If you don't win races, sales would surely dropped. Perhaps not at the verge of bankrupcy or even remotely close to it - Triumph has been enjoying its success recently without competing - but Ducati has always been competitive, especially when Raymon Roche & Doug Polen showed up in both WSB and AMA series and pretty much been the force to reckon with on the 851/888. My guess is the racing division is regrouping and probably working OT to combat the JDM juggernauts. I hope they will get back into the series, because I really enjoy the competition between the Italian & Japanese. :cheers:

I think they are taking the easy way out. They want wins handed out to them and it is not going to happen. They are Dominating the fuck out of WSB I can't see why they can't put there shit together and do it in the AMA's You don't see Suzuki or Honda and Yamaha quiting because Ducati is like Suzuki in the AMA's winning like 7 sec. ahead of the pack. Frustration is one thing running away like pussies is another. It just shows the true colors of a company and show the confidence they have in there machinery. OH WELL but No more Duck hunting in the AMA's

They are not allowed to use the same bike in AMA as they are in World Supers as they rules prevent that. I guess the allowances they get in AMA for being a V-Twin just are not enough to make them competitive.... wonder where Hodgson will be riding next year .... back to Worlds or to BSB?? Worlds will be awesome next year ... Imagine Bayliss, Edwards, Hodgson, Corser, Biaggi, Toseland, Haga all doing battle .. I am booking my tickets now :bounce :bounce :bounce :bounce :bounce