P120
CN
III IN THE PADDOCK
BY MICHAEL SCOTT
W
hat a fortnight it's
been--smoldering
resentment after the
Qatar GP protests followed by
crackling flames at Jerez when
the all-new E-bike series turned
itself into toast midway through
the test program. Luckily, it hap-
pened while none of the riders
were on board.
These incandescences might
appear to be unrelated, but they
are linked, albeit from opposite
directions. Both have to do with
innovation. The first is an attempt
to crack down on it, the second
smacks of a bit too much enthu-
siasm—as in trying to run before
being able to walk.
The Qatar protest against
Ducati came straight after
the opening round, and while
promptly over-ruled, an immedi-
ate appeal meant that results
would not be finalized until
the whole legal rigmarole has
been completed. They involved
the wings/not-wings nature of
contemporary grand prix bike
bodywork.
Ducati chief Gigi Dall'Igna has
complained clearly and repeat-
edly about MotoGP's ever-tighter
aerodynamic restrictions. He
pioneered the use of wings and
would like to see further devel-
opment. Chafing against stric-
tures that limit size and shape,
and freeze designs (just one
update allowed in each season),
he has clearly read the rule-
book very carefully to find ways
INNOVATION VERSUS IMMOLATION
Wings. Back in the news.
