Ducati is continuing its preparations towards a planned expansion into the WorldSSP Championship next season by putting a full-specification Ducati V2 through its paces in Croatia.
The storied Italian firm is one of three manufacturers hoping for a change in the WorldSSP regulations for 2022 to allow larger engine machines to be homologated.
As it stands, regulations stipulate a four-cylinder engine can be no more than 600cc, a three-cylinder can go up to 675cc and a twin-cylinder engine to 750cc.
However, with models like the Triumph Daytona, Suzuki GSX-R600 and Honda CBR600RR models slipping off European price lists in the past couple of years, the current category is dominated by the Yamaha R6 (itself now only available in race trim) and the Kawasaki ZX-6R.
As such, manufacturers have been lobbying the FIM to expand the engine bands to allow more relevant larger engine models to compete. A shift in regulations is already being trialled in the British Supersport Championship with a Triumph Daytona-style model using a 765cc triple-cylinder engine, while the Ducati V2 competes in Italy’s National Big Trophy Supersport class.
Provided the FIM ratifies change in regulation, these models are expected to be on the WorldSSP grid in 2022 with PTR Dynavolt running the Triumph effort, while Barni Racing will campaign the factory-backed Ducati V2. MV Agusta has also indicated plans to run the 800cc version of its F3.
In the meantime, Barni tested the V2 with WorldSSP-spec components for the first time at the Rijeka circuit in Croatia with rider Nicholas Spinelli.
We are the first team to bring to the track the Ducati Panigale V2 with Supersport homologated electronics, this is part of our philosophy: developing the new Ducati models and bring them to race,” said Barni boss Marco Barnabo.
“We know that bringing the bike up to the level of the others will be a very long journey, Yamaha and Kawasaki are dominating in this category for years and for us it's like starting from scratch. For this reason we have invested time and resources already in 2021.
“First of all I want to thank Nicholas, who has embraced our project and is dedicating himself with great commitment to the development work, but also the whole team that is working with great enthusiasm on this project.”
