Ducati 996 Motorcycles, page #35

Moto blog

WSBK: 2012 Monza Results

It was supposed to be a weekend of celebration. The World Superbike Championship was celebrating its 25th anniversary of racing at Italy’s Monza circuit. Promoters Infront Motorsports brought out 30 landmark Superbikes from the series’ history, while greats such as Fred Merkel, Doug Polen and Carl Fogarty were in attendance for what was supposed to be a weekend to remember.

Federico Sandi Loses Ducati 1199 Panigale Superstock 1000 Ride – Again

For the second time this season, Superstock 1000 Cup racer Federico Sandi has lost his ride on a new Ducati 1199 Panigale race bike. Sandi was cut loose from Liberty Racing in March after the team decided to focus its resources on a four-rider World Superbike effort. The 22-year-old racer then landed with Althea Racing, the team that captured the 2011 Superstock 1000 Cup as well as the 2011 WSBK Championship with Carlos Checa.

The North East,Prescott and fast laps with Chris Walker at Mallory

A big thanks to all at Newcastle Motorcycles for lending me a Honda CB1000F on Saturday to do nothing other than join mates for a blast round some fantastic roads in the North East. The buddies in question were Alan Smith (Bradley’s dad) and two stroke addict and race fan Chris Berriman. We headed east over the moors from the ‘Toon’ heading towards Barnard Castle then back through Consett before finishing up at the picturesque Tynemouth.

This is one trashed 1199 Panigale

This is what a destroyed Ducati 1199 Panigale looks like, after South African superbike racer Chris Leeson lost the front end at turn one of the Kyalami circuit. Although the same can't be said for the new and now mangled Ducati superbike, Leeson escaped the crash with minor bruising. Crash sequence below.

Schwantz Headlines 2012 Isle of Man TT Parade Lap

Former 500cc World Champion Kevin Schwantz headlines a star-studded group of racers taking part in a parade lap during the 2012 Isle of Man TT. Schwantz leads the group of six racers, past and present, selected by helmet-maker Arai to take part in the parade lap of the Isle of Man’s Mountain Course. Schwantz has visited the Isle of Man before, but this will mark his first closed lap of the circuit.

WSBK 2012: Assen Results

The Netherlands hosted a dramatic weekend of World Superbike racing that featured a red-flagged wet race, several riders crashing while leading, a first-time race winner, a photo finish between two teammates and the reigning World Champion finishing out of the points because of a poor choice of tires. The 2011 WSBK Champion Carlos Checa arrived at Assen with the lead in the championship and a three-race winning streak, but opting to run wet tires in Race Two cost him the lead and may have contributed to a crash that severely injured Liberty Racing‘s Brett McCormick. Race One Get the Flash Player to see this player.

Casey Stoner's trick kart

The other day Casey Stoner tweeted this shot of this factory looking kart, which the reigning champion has been customising during the MotoGP downtime between Qatar and Jerez. Stoner became hooked on karting after taking part in the ice-race at the Ducati/Ferrari Vrooom event in 2009, beating F1 driver Felipe Massa in the process. Not only a hobby, Casey uses karting for training, as the Australian says there are physical benefits as well as to his reflexes.

Collector’s Item: Ducati Diavel AMG, the Mercedes-badged Audi

As expected, Mercedes-Benz’s performance division AMG announced it is cutting ties with Ducati following the motorcycle manufacturer’s acquisition by rival car-maker Audi. AMG released a brief statement saying, explaining the split and saying it we never in the running to purchase Ducati: “Since the end of 2010 a successful marketing cooperation has existed between AMG and Ducati. The company takeover by a rival car manufacturer has understandably resulted in the end of any further collaboration.

Audi Officially Announces Ducati Purchase

Audi has officially announced it has acquired Ducati Motor Holding from Investindustrial. Terms of the deal were not announced, though they should be made available April 19 at the annual stockholders meeting for Audi’s parent company, the Volkswagen Group. Previous reports have the price pegged at 860 million euros (US$1.1 billion).

Report: Ducati Sold to Audi for US$1.13 Billion

Reuters is reporting Audi has reached a deal with Investindustrial to acquire Ducati for a price of 860 million euros (US$1.13 billion). Citing two unnamed sources familiar with the deal, Reuters reports the purchase price includes Ducati‘s debts, estimated by one of those sources at below 200 million euros (US$262.6 million). As previously reported, the deal will be officially announced April 18, ahead of the annual shareholders meeting for Audi’s parent company, the Volkswagen Group.