Ducati Superbike Drag Races Two Supercars, Proves a Point

There are plenty of factors that can influence the outcome of a race. And it doesn't all boil down to driver skill or how much money has gone into building the car or bike. In some cases, Mother Nature can also be part of the equation. I remember working with a pro Road Racing rider, and he would always pray for rain during competition. He was unusually skilled riding his bike in the wet, knowing that would allow him to win against any competitor on the grid.

But what may be a considerable inconvenience for a motorcycle could only make for a small one when talking about a car. With that in mind, we can learn multiple lessons from the following drag race. Anytime you see a McLaren 720S or a Porsche 911 Turbo S lining up for the quarter-mile (402 meters) challenge, betting on them is the safe way to go. But things are slightly more complicated today, as the Ducati Panigale V4 S joined in on the action.

You don't need to know any stats about the three competitors to realize who has the upper hand in the power-to-weight ratio. The strong wind is the only thing that could prevent the superbike from winning the rolling race. Its rider might also have difficulty launching the V4 S from a dig, especially against a monster like the McLaren. But one more interesting question needs answering: can the 720S keep up with 812 Superfast?

The Italian supercar features a 6.5-liter V12 that churns out 789 horsepower and 530 lb-ft (718 Nm) of torque. Power goes to the rear wheels via a seven-speed automatic gearbox, but the 812 Superfast might struggle with an extra 22 lbs (100 kg) compared to the McLaren. With its twin-turbo V8 rear-mid engine setup, the 720S has more torque and likely better traction off the line.

Also, maximum torque is available at 5,500 rpm, whereas the mighty V12 needs to get up to 7,000 to reach its potential. It's easy to understand why the Panigale instantly lunges ahead in the roll race. But it's sad to see the Ferrari failing to keep up with its two competitors. That proves a point: spending more money on a car than your opponent doesn't automatically mean you'll be faster than him.

But I also remember an F12 TDF owner telling me that he had tried McLarens before and "They have no soul." For the second phase of the race, things are getting complicated for the biker. Starting from a dig with a monster like the Panigale V4 S is not something anyone can do. That's not to say that anyone can launch a supercar properly. But it's considerably more challenging when you only have two wheels. The McLaren 720S ultimately gets its 15 minutes of fame, and this is one race Ferrari fans would be better off not watching at all.