Should I race a Ducati?

[G.Irish]

So I've actually already bought an already-prepped 2009 Kawasaki ZX-6R to race this season. But soon after I bought my racebike, Ducati announced their 2012 contingency program, where they're paying out $1200 a win if you race a 2011 or 2012 848 in the 600 classes in club racing. One caveat, you have to have bought the bike and registered with the contingency program by March 31st.

Now in motorcycle club racing they have separate classes for novice and expert riders. Typically if you finish in the top 3 for the year or whatever you get bumped up to expert. Normally contingency payouts like this only apply to expert race classes but Ducati is paying out for expert and novice.

BIG BUCKS!!!
Just between NJMP, Beaverun, Summit, VIR, and Road Atlanta there are about 18 races (2 per weekend) that I could race in novice and potentially make money. That works out to $21600 for 18 wins, to $5400 for 18 3rd places...

I've checked out the winning lap times from the novice races in the past and they're pretty slow in general (usually about 4-5 seconds a lap slower than expert times). With a race-prepped 848 Evo that would be starting out with 20 extra hp over a 600, I figure I could win at least a couple of races and make a good chunk of change.

Whammies
The main problem is that to buy a 848 Evo and race-prep it would probably cost around $14k on the low end and $18k on the high end. If I win a bunch of races It would be like I got the bike for free, and I could sell it or race it again in 2013. But I could potentially end up spending all that money and not winning any contingency money (too slow, or wad it up at the first race). The other thing is that if I'm racing for money it's going to put me in a significantly different mindset when I go racing (read: out for blood). Probably not a good thing.

Rationally I'll probably stick with what I've got because it doesn't require me outlaying a lot more money right now. But the idea is still driving me mad with irrational desire. Maybe someone can talk some sense into me, or conversely rationalize it to the point it makes sense.

[Apoc]

What do you think you should do?

Now do the opposite.

[D_Eclipse9916]

I have considered the same with the new NASA Spec Z class. Then came to the realization...no. Dont do it!

[HAULN-SS]

You'll never do it later if you don't do it now..and you'll be helping the economy

[Mike]

free ducati.

what could go wrong?

[BLINGMW]

So... do you have any indication, forum posts, chatting with other racers, that others are doing the same thing? I mean, you could show up hoping to win a few races, only to find out half the novice field has the same Duc. :dunno:

I too would have concerns about NEEDING to win your first few races. If you feel like you could keep yourself cool about that, and put it out of your mind, then.... ok.... sure, go for it! :thumbup:

It is going to be frustrating though if you find out you aren't as fast as you hope you are and are stuck mid-pack all year, cursing yourself every race for not sticking with the 600.

[Kaan]

i wouldnt do it. stick with what you have now.

also, i thought most of the groups actually bump you after X number of wins... you could move from novice to intermediate mid year with some groups. I would try to look into as much sponsorship/contingency as you can with what you have now. i think there is tire contingency, vortex stuff, etc.

[BLINGMW]

i thought most of the groups actually bump you after X number of win

yeah that'd be pretty important to know. IF you manage to win a couple of races and get bumped, then that's a pretty low cap on your potential payout.

[G.Irish]

So... do you have any indication, forum posts, chatting with other racers, that others are doing the same thing? I mean, you could show up hoping to win a few races, only to find out half the novice field has the same Duc. :dunno:

Looks like there are a few people thinking about doing it but not a lot. I think the high acquisition cost of the bike is turning off a lot of people. And, even if there are other novices looking to do it, the novice lap times I've seen from last year are pretty unimpressive. Don't know if the contingency will attract some ringers though.

I too would have concerns about NEEDING to win your first few races. If you feel like you could keep yourself cool about that, and put it out of your mind, then.... ok.... sure, go for it! :thumbup:

Yeah I think I would have to go into it with a cool head. Going into a race thinking about the money would probably be a bad thing. And when it comes down to it, the main reason I'd get the Ducati would be the contingency so it'd be hard not to think about the money.

It is going to be frustrating though if you find out you aren't as fast as you hope you are and are stuck mid-pack all year, cursing yourself every race for not sticking with the 600.

I don't think I'll be stuck mid-pack. Mid-pack in novice/amateur is slowwww. But I could conceivably be stuck just off the box all the time. One thing that would be a major road block is that the grid is not determined by qualifying, it's set in order of registration for the race. Which I think is a terrible idea and could be a major hold up.

From some of the race video I've watched some of the other novices could be difficult to pass because their lines are all over the place. Technically they should be much slower because they're taking terrible lines but trying to work around a bunch of guys like that in a 6 lap race could be dicey.

[D_Eclipse9916]

One thing that would be a major road block is that the grid is not determined by qualifying, it's set in order of registration for the race....... ............. 6 lap race could be dicey.

With a bunch of newbies? Fuck that!

[BLINGMW]

With a bunch of newbies? Fuck that!

I've heard all I need to hear now. Yeah, stick with the 600 assuming I have this right:

1) Novice race is really irregular with newbs who can't hold a line.

2) YOU, Gerald Irish, are going to be starting from the back if it's by registration order.

3) You have to pass everyone to pay for your bike.

4) You only have 6 laps to pass them all.

5) You have a bomb strapped to your chest and cannot drop below 100MPH!

Coming this summer to a theater near you! Staring Samuel L Jackson as the late Gerald Irish.

[Kaan]

One thing that would be a major road block is that the grid is not determined by qualifying, it's set in order of registration for the race....... ............. 6 lap race could be dicey.

With a bunch of newbies? Fuck that!

thats just how they do it for the novices. Ben used to sign up at the track and start from the back and still podium.

[Apoc]

2) YOU, Gerald Irish, are going to be starting from the back if it's by registration order.

i lollied

[G.Irish]

i wouldnt do it. stick with what you have now.

also, i thought most of the groups actually bump you after X number of wins... you could move from novice to intermediate mid year with some groups. I would try to look into as much sponsorship/contingency as you can with what you have now. i think there is tire contingency, vortex stuff, etc.

From what I've seen with CCS you can get bumped if you request it but they won't automatically bump you mid-season if you're winning.

As far as other sponsorship, Dunlop is paying a $150 per win per class so that could cover the tire bill at least.

[.RJ]

2) YOU, Gerald Irish, are going to be starting from the back if it's by registration order.

i lollied

[G.Irish]

So Ducati announced yesterday that their contingency program will go through the 2013 season. So I could try racing the 848 next year and still rack in the $$$. However, if this season goes well I'll probably be bumped to expert, which means getting on the box won't be nearly as easy, much less winning. Not to mention that next season there'll probably be more 848's out there. But maybe if I sandbag this season...

Either way I think I'll stick with my 600 for this season. Less money up front, depreciation has already hit it, and I still have something capable of winning right now. If I do well the missed opportunity is going to drive me nuts though.

[BLINGMW]

just do poorly, problems solved. Use whatever tires are on it now and use them all year! :thumbup: :evileye: