Back in WWII, RAF pilots coined the term “boffins” to describe the technical people who worked behind the scenes performing all the minor miracles that enabled the pilots to do their work successfully. Boffins existed long before Douglas “Tin Legs” Bader and his ilk gave them their name, of course and they still exist today. Indeed, with the increasing technification of our life styles, the boffin is thriving.
One such boffin who has become a little more well known than most boffins do, is Ducati’s Vittoriano Guareschi. “Who?” I hear you say. Well, you may not know him by name but you would certainly recognise his face.
Vito, of the strange facial hair, is the man more responsible than any other, for the development and progress of the Ducati MotoGp programme. As Ducati’s main test rider, it has been his responsibility to oversee the development of the various models since Ducati decided to take on MotoGp.
Strangely, last year, Vito got a promotion. He was made Team Manager. Many thought it strange that a mere test rider should receive such an elevation, but he proved to be as good a manager as a test rider. Perhaps there is more to the man than we thought?
Well, at Jerez yesterday, during Ducati’s private test, Vito proved just how versatile he really is, slipping off the suit and tie and donning the leathers again to do 59 laps of the circuit working on suspension and electronics. The “official” test rider, Franco Battaini only managed a mere 66 laps on the same day, so Vito certainly hasn’t gone “soft” since getting his promotion.
Incidentally, those of you with pay TV might have met Vito during a documentary on Alpinestars leathers where he is seen doing development work on improving race suits with that factory. A pretty useful “boffin” is our Vito.