From a press release issued by HMC Ducati Milwaukee Racing:

HMC DUCATI MILWAUKEE RACING EYES THE BRAINERD PODIUM

HMC Ducati Milwaukee Racing, the Ducati Motor Holding (DMH), factory-backed Formula Xtreme 749R race team, placed third and fourth in the first two races for the team at Pikes Peak and Road America respectively.

Team owner Mitch Hansen commented, “We are still early in our understanding of the Ducati 749R. It looks like our peak horsepower is comparable to Honda; for our next race at Brainerd, MN we need to be looking is how to get off the corner quicker.”

It is known that acceleration improves as average horsepower rises across the rpm range. At most racing circuits top speed happens for only a moment at the end of the straightaway, but acceleration and speed off the corners will often put you on the podium.

Crew chief Gary Medley stated, “For the Brainerd round we put the bikes on a diet and have been focusing on the Magneti Marelli fuel mapping system to get the race bike off the corners faster. In addition, we are making little changes to the motors to improve performance.”

Brainerd has a similar feel as Road America with its progressive 90 degree corners winding right down to the front straightaway. It’s both high speed and technical.

“The most important corner is the high speed turn at the end of the straightaway,” said Medley. “Once you get the bike balanced for that you are in good shape.”

Ducati North America is the title sponsor of the AMA Chevrolet Superbike Championship event at Brainerd International Speedway titled AMA Superbike Trofeo Ducati, which is set for June 25-27 and is Round Seven of the 11-Round Championship.

Look for Doug Chandler signing autographs at the Ducati tent and at the HMC Ducati Milwaukee Racing transporter. Fans can win a Doug Chandler tee shirt by registering at the www.hmcracing.com website.

Ducati Milwaukee, is located in Saukville, WI at 262-284-2725 where the new Doug Chandler derived 749R bikes are now available for the 2005 season for the Ducati racing enthusiasts.