MOTOGP » Ducati’s carbon fibre MotoGP chassis.

I worked for a while as an aerospace engineering stress analyst but only ever saw aluminum and titanium. I looked into structural composites analysis a bit on my own and soon realized it grows very difficult very quickly. It's not something you learn overnight. I wonder if Ducati brought in some new talent to do these designs or if they're working with a company like Alenia who already have that expertise (along with all the necessary analysis tools, autoclaves, experienced fabricators, etc). Given that this is their first season with that frame, I'd expect more than a few teething issues but also expect they'll be able to work them out as they gather data. It's an impressive first go.

MOTOGP » Ducati’s carbon fibre MotoGP chassis.

That makes sense, SickCyl...thanks for the explanation. As for moving my engine around for the breakfast ride, I suppose I'd just have my crew take care of it for me. They'd have to accompany me, though, as I'd certainly want to shift the engine again to maintain proper balance after consuming my food.

F1 » Ecclestone: New York only rival to Indy for US Grand Prix

What about Watkins Glen? I know it's a good 4.5 hour drive from NYC but the village seems to have the means to host some pretty big events there each year. Then again, I'm not sure the local prostitutes are up on all the latest S&M techniques so Max probably wouldn't attend.

MOTOGP » Ducati’s carbon fibre MotoGP chassis.

I just did a quick search online and found out Britten built his world-beating bikes 20-ish years ago with composite monocoque construction. Having seen a documentary about this some years back, I suppose it stuck in my brain that this must have been the way all GP bikes inevitably went. I'd love to know why they stuck with space frames and aluminum monocoque after that.

MOTOGP » Ducati’s carbon fibre MotoGP chassis.

@Dray - Methinks the reason they've been avoiding the issue so far is for two reasons...cost of development and practicality of technical spinoff to road bikes. If I'm still competitive with a more traditional approach and nobody else is pushing that particular envelope, I'll use my money on something else. If someone else starts to exploit that advantage (and there's certainly advantage to be exploited, or advanced aircraft and F1 cars would still be aluminum) then I need to keep up. I hardly see the technology translating directly to street bikes, but then again I hardly saw a $65k Ducati having any takers and was quite wrong on that.

MOTOGP » Ducati’s carbon fibre MotoGP chassis.

Without having read much about the construction of MotoGP bikes to date, I'd assumed they were already using the engine casing as a stressed member (as F1 and sports cars have been doing for decades). Guess I ought to catch up on my reading.

MOTOGP » Where might Melandri, Toseland have finished?

I have to agree with slideways on this one. If I'm managing a team or engineering a bike, I'm playing games all the time with such data. I need to know where to devote my resources. Given that we're all armchair managers and engineers on this site, we ought to be happy to have that sort of info compiled for us to help in making our armchair hirings and firings.