Baker Hughes’ Druck Pressure Sensor Technology Reduces Hawk Racing Lap Times

Collaboration sets sights on 2024 British Superbike Success

After helping reduce lap times in 2023, race-proven pressure measurement solutions from Druck, a Baker Hughes business, is set to help Hawk Racing achieve further success ahead of the 2024 British Superbike season.

The collaboration of the two Midlands based businesses follows a memorable 2023 season, which saw Hawk Racing, using Baker Hughes’ Druck sensor technology, shave more than two seconds from its fastest testing lap at Donington in March 2023, and its performance at the same track later in the British Superbikes season. This improvement, from 1:30.724 to 1:28.223, was directly attributed by Hawk’s race engineers to adjustments to the chassis setup, based upon analysis of brake pressure data recorded by Druck sensors.

“The durability, reliability and accuracy of Druck’s pressure sensors was undoubtedly a factor in our success” - Steve Hicken, owner of Hawk Racing

Adding to the benefits of adopting Baker Hughes highly accurate and reliable Druck technology, the Hawk Racing Team in 2023 avoided its regular disposal of pressure sensors that provided inaccurate readings.

“During the 2023 season we only had to replace one Druck sensor,” said Steve Hicken, owner of Hawk Racing,” and that was due to a crash at Cadwell Park that physically ripped it from the bike!”

Baker Hughes’ Druck technology contributed to a successful 2023 season for Hawk Racing. Michael Dunlop claimed his 25th victory at the famous Isle of Man TT, earning the title as the second-most successful TT racer ever, while Hawk Racing’s Charlie Nesbitt was the most prominent British Superbike rookie, earning three podiums during the season and finishing in 11th position.

“The durability, reliability and accuracy of Baker Hughes’ Druck pressure sensors were undoubtedly a factor in our success,” continued Hicken. “Striving for further marginal gains in 2024 and leveraging the world class Druck technology to provide even more data points and benchmarks, we’re confident we’ll enjoy an excellent season.”

“We’re proud that Hawk Racing and our customers across all levels of elite motorsport are benefiting from our 30+ year legacy in motorsport” - Gordon Docherty, general manager of Druck.

“Our advanced pressure measurement solutions enable motorsport teams to recognise small deviations in system performance, identifying changes before they become problems,” said Gordon Docherty, general manager of Druck, a Baker Hughes business. “We’re proud that Hawk Racing and our customers across all levels of elite motorsport are benefiting from our 30+ year legacy in motorsport pressure measurement technology and achieving the marginal gains that can make the difference between first and second.”

This season, Druck’s high quality PMP4300 and PMP4400 pressure sensors will feature on Hawk’s Honda CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SPs measuring front and rear brake pressure and oil pressure. Small and robust, the Druck sensors can perform at temperatures from -20 to 175 Degrees Celsius, and withstand the extreme vibration and shock associated with professional motorsport.

The PMP4300 and PMP4400 form part of Druck’s market leading motorsport portfolio which includes:

The DPI610E - a portable, complete pressure calibration tool that offers best in class accuracy – down to just 0.025%.

The DPI705E provides accuracy and reliability combined with a rugged design. When paired with a tyre pressure hose, the DPI705E becomes a fast and easy to use device for race critical tyre pressure monitoring.

The DPI620 GENii all in one test and calibration solution. As well as testing the calibration of pressure sensors it is also capable of stimulating electrical, frequency and temperature components.

Druck’s PACE range of pressure controllers are fitted with barometric sensors and provide the most accurate and reliable data needed by development engineers to finely tune the equipment to maximise performance on the race circuit.

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