Racing the Panigale

2014 was my first season racing (Club 1000). Next year having decided to race the Panigale it would be great to hear some more from guys that have raced these bikes for a few seasons in amateur classes.

Next season is still a way off but some initial questions I have...

What sort of servicing regime do you run? Will the fact that I'm moving to an R have implications?

Gearing, have you gone with any combination other than 15/41?

Race fairings - have you used the DP Corse versions, are there any that have the wider profile that we get when we fit the aero attachments to the stock fairings?

Any race screens that give create a better bubble than DP?

Brakes - has anyone properly raced with stock brakes using dual sinter pads?
Or did you replace the MC?

Pit stands - what are people using? I've seen one buy that cut his failing to use the Bursig. I wanted to keep axle sliders on the bike so that seems a good way but is it feasible for racing?

Do you bother with any form of frame slider? I've swear by GB racing cases which I'll fit both sides but wondering if there are any low profile race sliders?

I'm also interested to hear about general competitiveness. It seems that the only thing that limits success is the rider, the bike being capable of running at the front in any amateur class. The R should be more than a match for the BMW by all accounts.

Would be great to run a thread for guys racing next year to share experiences.

Thanks in advance for your feedback.

I'm racing my base next year and have logged 6000miles on the track in 1 year. To answer some of your questions:
Maintenance:
Change oil every 1000 miles
Clean air filter every other race(I have the MWR)
Check for oil leaks and loose bolts after every race

Race fairings
Use sharkskinz. The race upper is wider(It was molded after an S model with the aero extensions installed).

Zero gravity windscreens is pretty good.
Pitbull stands are what I use.
I also use GB racing case covers.

I've have no issue running with BMWs or any bikes for that matter. It's all about the rider. Good luck next year.

Ljuice26 said:

I'm racing my base next year and have logged 6000miles on the track in 1 year. To answer some of your questions:
Maintenance:
Change oil every 1000 miles
Clean air filter every other race(I have the MWR)
Check for oil leaks and loose bolts after every race

Race fairings
Use sharkskinz. The race upper is wider(It was molded after an S model with the aero extensions installed).

Zero gravity windscreens is pretty good.
Pitbull stands are what I use.
I also use GB racing case covers.

I've have no issue running with BMWs or any bikes for that matter. It's all about the rider. Good luck next year.

Click to expand...

Thanks and good luck to you too next year!

Panigale R 2013

I have a 2013 R. I have done several track days 10 plus and raced two race weekends. I am truly happy with it. I can from an R1&R6. The race track I normally ride is Thunderhill in northern California. Temperatures in the summer are pretty hot. Couple things I learned about the L twin. Motor/exhaust under the rider is pretty hot. Granted when on the track racing heat is not a big issue. Yet if there is a re start or they black flagged the race (meaning there was an incident or a crash on track and they needed everyone off the track and back into the pits) and you are in the pits with a hot engine, restarting the bike seems to be a little harder. I now have two fans that I direct towards the radiators between sessions.

Suspension: I paid an suspension expert to help set up the R. Well worth the $. The R rode must nicer. I might need some more adjustments as I am actually getting faster. The lap timer is really nice to have on the instrument cluster. Believe it or not the traction control some what slows you down. I have been slowly adjusting to almost the #2/#1 setting. 0 is off. 8 is the high setting which is like riding in the rain.

Sprocket set up, I would leave it and just get use to what it feels like. Next year I will have the 520 chain and sprocket merely to save a little unsprung weight. I did purchase a 39T for the rear just to see how it does.

There is about 3000 miles on the bike, bought it used with 600 on it. 2400 are track miles. Bike is holding up great and I do not baby it.

In my opinion the best way to get to know your bike is to do many many track days.

Jimmy

Gonna hit up Thill for the first time on my 14' 1199R at the end of January with PTT, shake off the rust. I've been on my 06 SV650 and 08 cbr 1000r which are both track only bikes. Interested to see the difference.

If you are looking for race body work I am selling a brand new unmounted set of Ducati Performance factory race body work:

http://ducati1299.com/classifieds/2...e-1199-complete-race-bodywork.html#post188531

Usually you will need 15/39 and 15/41
Brake are great like that.
Just need to change the front cartrich and valve in the suspension

I just added up all the money and such for the year and I have logged, 19 track days, 5000mi, spent $$$$$ and have logged. 7000 miles traveling to various race tracks. I had my first race a few weeks ago. Broke that shift rod linkage in my first race. That reminded me that you need various parts incase something happen s. Spare clip ons, shift rode linkage, rearsets, bodywork and the right tools. and I can concur with navigator about the heat. Even though it's December here in Florida, it's still in the 80s and the engine temp got hot while racing on the track. I will be implementing that fans as well since I don't have any on the bike. You guys may want to look into getting bigger radiators from Mac or Febur.

nvetro said:

Gonna hit up Thill for the first time on my 14' 1199R at the end of January with PTT, shake off the rust. I've been on my 06 SV650 and 08 cbr 1000r which are both track only bikes. Interested to see the difference.

If you are looking for race body work I am selling a brand new unmounted set of Ducati Performance factory race body work:

http://ducati1299.com/classifieds/2...e-1199-complete-race-bodywork.html#post188531

Click to expand...

You will have a blast. 1199R has twice the horsepower of the SV and probably 40% more than the CBR. I rode my 1199R at T-hill full course in November, and it was surprisingly good in the back section, and I was able to pull out of the slow chicanes way better than anybody on 4-cylinders, but still have the HP to run the front section. Have fun!

First track day I ever went to my shifter lost a bolt mid track at T Hill, I also started leaking gas do to one of the connecters not being all the way secure after taking the tank off to swap air filters. Luckily there was a Ducati crew there which helped me fix her. Since then I've switched to magnesium wheels. Whoever plans on going to T Hill give me a holler and we can make it a Duc day. This summer should be fun since I'll have both my 13' R and the new 15' R to play the compare game with.

Merry Christmas