Traction control for factory Ducatis in 2005?

During an exclusive recent interview with British Superbike GSE Ducati team manager Colin Wright, a hint was dropped as to how Ducati may be trying to get the most from their factory machines in World Superbikes this year.

Wright and the GSE team are a name synonymous with Ducati having campaigned the Italian machines in both British and World Superbikes.

The team were responsible for bringing the likes of Neil Hodgson and James Toseland to the world scene, and are therefore highly regarded by the Italian marque.

"I think when this current (999) Ducati engine was made they got about 200 bhp from it," commented Wright. "The trouble was they couldn't get that power to the road because of the (Pirelli) tyres. Therefore they had to limit the engine.

"I think the development Ducati have done over the last 12 months has been how to get the 180bhp or whatever onto the tarmac using the Pirellis.

"I think in certain circumstances they have found they can't get that power to the ground and that is why they are looking at traction control," admitted Wright.

It would appear, as in MotoGP, the amount of power a machine can use is restricted by the grip produced by the tyre.

In World Superbikes, the Pirelli control tyre rule has taken away some level of grip. Therefore in order to utilise engine power in the lower gears, where wheel spin is most likely to occur, traction control, or a simple form of it to stay within the rules, could be employed.

It would appear from Wright's comments that Ducati are already experimenting with such a control method.

Whether or not they will employ it during racing will remain to be seen at the first round of the championship on 26th February.