Hayden’s Ducati thought it was somewhere else

MotoGP News
Date: 7/May/2012

The debate over advanced electronics in MotoGP was reignited at Estoril on Sunday after an unusual ECU malfunction for Ducati’s Nicky Hayden.

The Italian factory revealed that the American’s ECU ‘was subject to interference from a radio signal near the track’ during the race.

This meant that all of the electronic calibrations for his motorcycle - fine-tuned for each corner of the circuit - were running out of phase with Hayden’s actual position on the racetrack.

In other words, Hayden’s ECU thought it was somewhere else on the Portuguese circuit.

Hayden explained: “Starting from the first lap, there was an electrical problem and the bike didn’t know where it was on the track. I tried my best to ride around the problem and not make mistakes.

“It’s really a shame to work hard all weekend but not be able to take advantage of it with a result in the race. Of course I’m not saying I was going to fight for the win, but it would have been nice to at least have a decent race.”

Team Manager Vittoriano Guareschi confirmed: “We’re really sorry for Nicky because during the race, a radio signal interfered with our ECU’s transponder, forcing him to ride with the electronic calibration out of phase. Riding in those conditions is truly difficult, and he did a great job to finish the race.”

MotoGP is rumoured to be considering the introduction of a control ECU in the near future, in order to cut down on the amount of expensive electronic wizardry.