Ducati goes carbon with GP9

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On the same day that Casey Stoner tore to his third successive Qatar Grand Prix triumph, Ducati released more details about the Australian racer’s Desmosedici GP9. 

The most significant update to the 2009 machine is a monocoque frame made from carbon fibre composite. According to Ducati this type of frame (which is a radical departure from the Italian manufacturer’s steel tube chassis) is a logical next step in the advancement of a bike that has undergone major development in its GP3 and GP7 versions.

Although carbon fibre provides increased strength while remaining very lightweight, the tricky part is balancing its rigidity and the amount of flex allowed. You also can’t simply take to it with a hammer for repairs after a high speed spill.

Ducati explains the objective was to create a chassis set-up that would obtain the desired rigidity with as little weight as possible, and so attaining maximum efficiency.

The basic idea is to abandon the classic concept of the chassis as the element that connects all other elements, in favour of a design in which the engine is the central element to which the main frame, rear sub-frame and rear suspension system are individually connected.

The GP3 was unique in having a rear swing-arm that was attached solely to the engine. In particular both the swing-arm pivot and the suspension linkages were connected directly to the engine without any attachment to the main frame.

The GP7 featured a main frame that was totally detached from the rear sub-frame. Basically the engine was the central element of the bike. The main frame was used as link between the engine and the steering head. The rear sub-frame linked the engine to the seat and to the footpegs and controls. The two frames, main and rear sub-frame, that were still linked to each other on the GP3, were now only attached to the engine on the GP7, meaning that they were smaller and lighter.

On the GP9 the main frame is formed to connect the engine to the steering head. The main frame now also incorporates the air-box in one single construction. This monocoque construction allows the air-box to function efficiently within the main frame.

Choosing to utilise the carbon fibre composite technology to create the frame means that, on the one hand, you can mould the piece into the desired form without incurring enormous equipment costs and, on the other hand, varying levels of rigidity and torsional characteristics can be attained simply by altering the type, the number and the directional orientation of the carbon fibres, using the same equipment.

“In testing carried out up until now the GP9 guarantees greater precision and stability in braking and on entering corners,” explains Ducati. “We maintain, however, that only by using it to race on the various world circuits will we be able to properly evaluate the potential of this technical solution.”

Judging by Stoner’s performance in Qatar on Monday Ducati might just have hit a home run with this fresh approach.