MAD Members Feature

1170 RS Ducati: FCD & JHP Racing

Part 1 of a Three Part Series: 1170 RS Overview
Part 1: 1170 RS Overview
Part 2: 1170 RS - Building the Bike (coming soon)
Part 3: The RS at Barber Motorsports Park - The Race (coming soon)

The Ducati Desmodue: A Modern & Lightweight Racing Platform
Low Tech: Large Cylinders, 2 Valves per Cylinder, Air Cooled
1170 RS: 1170 cc displacement
Engine: Ducati Desmodue/Hypermotard Evo 1100

Photography by Charles Kershner Photography
©2013 Kershner Photography. All Rights Reserved.

In a return to design basics, JHP Racing/Ducati Coventry and Frederick Cederna Design developed the Ducati Desmodue 1170RS as a modern and lightweight racing platform to take on Superbikes & Supersports. Combining the 300 pound weight with a 128 hp power plant, the 1170 RS targets the power to weight ratio of a GP 250. While not able to out-gun adversaries with top speed, the light weight package targets late braking and lithe cornering characteristics that look to outmaneuver water cooled and 4-valve engine competitors. In other words, while it may play catch up on straight-aways, the corners are its prime hunting grounds. At the right track it will own the lap time.

Own Braking. Own the Corner. Own the lap. 1170 RS.

The Ducati SS: Back to the Future
A light, air-cooled Superbike with simple Ducati engine architecture has much appeal. Although Ducati offers several Desmodue models, the Supersport line offering of a sportbike with two-valves per cylinder has been absent from the product list for years. A re-birth and Renaissance of the SS could allow a potent and more affordable track tool.

Alan Cathcart on the RS at Barber Motorsports Park, October 2011

1170 RS Desmodue

Effective power to weight ratio: ~300 lbs/115 horsepower = 2.6 lbs/hp
A durable and robust Ducati two valve power plant
Air cooled: Fewer parts & lighter weight
1170 cc engine (upgraded to Hypermotard Evo engine), radial brakes, modern suspension

RS Design & Features

Design: Chassis & Power Plant

Potent power-to-weight ratio: +128 hp power plant and 301 pounds (almost dry – includes front fork oil, rear shock oil, battery, and brake oil) with stainless steel valves.
Lightweight chassis: Pierobon F042 frame with revised swing arm
Carbon Fiber front sub-frame and integrated rear sub-frame (seat)
Working ram-air system for a racing Desmodue
Rear cylinder cooling: Targeted air flow through air tunnels & body vents
Lower exhaust and COG
Improved engine cooling: large ‘V’ oil cooler
Improved fuel delivery: 1098 fuel pump
Modern electronics: Falco digital dash/data logger/lightweight battery/wiring harness
Chassis: F042 with updated swing-arm
Wheels: Magnesium Dymag 7-spoke
Transmission: Close-ratio gearbox

Design: A Lightweight Aesthetic Combining Structure & Curve

Lightweight design – small bodywork & panels
Expression of the structural frame
Accent on curve and fluid form
No unnecessary plumbing, also allowing less weight and contributing to slender & elegant lines.

Design & Fabrication: JHP Ducati/Ducati Coventry
John Hackett & Rick Hackett
www.ducaticoventry.com
www.jhperformance.com

It’s no secret that JHP Racing/Ducati Coventry are masters of Ducati and racing machines. JHP Racing assembled and fabricated all motor, chassis, & rolling chassis, components for the RS. This included custom Dymag wheels, titanium exhaust, all engine builds (3), chassis setup, suspension settings & valving, wiring harness, digital display, data logger, electronics & sensors, electronics mounts, etc. In straight & simple words, John & Rick Hackett at JHP Racing gave the RS the raison d’etre. JHP made the RS into the elegant tool.

Design: Frederick Cederna Design
www.Frederick-Cederna.com

Frederick Cederna Design provided the gas tank & bodywork with integrated ram-air & air box. Design innovations included incorporating a 1098 fuel pump in the tank & V-shaped oil cooler in the front fairing. The bodywork & tank were shaped on site at Sharkskinz in Fort Lauderdale working with Dave Lee & Rick/Jason the Lee (owner & sons). Bucks for the tank were sent to John Harvey at Fuel Cel for molding/reproduction. Following completion, all bodywork, airbox, & tank, motor and rolling chassis were shipped to JHP Racing for build (work in progress @ SharkskinZ below).

Links:

1170 RS Design/Fabrication
Frederick Cederna Design
www.Frederick-Cederna.com

1170 RS Fabrication/Design/Assembly
JHP Racing & Ducati Coventry
John & Rick Hackett
www.DucatiCoventry.com

Frame & Chassis: Pierobon F04
www.pierobonframes.com
http://www.f042.com/

Bodywork Fabrication: Skarkskinz Racing Bodies
Dave Lee & Rick Lee & Jason Le
www.sharkskinz.com

Fuel Tank Fabrication: FuelCel
John Harvey
http://www.eti-fuelcel.com/

Owner: Frederick, Douglas