I've posted this on a few of the local forums, but I want it out front for all to see.
The event is in the planning stages right now: A Ducati-oriented (Italian Bike Only) track day at the mecca: Barber Motorsports Park. It is scheduled currently for Memorial Day weekend. The only "big" conflict is on the other side of the country: Miller (Utah) WSBK. For all of those in the Southeast and Texas, its time to take a field trip to Leeds, AL (Birmingham Alabama).
I'm trying to get more involved with Ducati (as you all know, I am not affiliated with any dealership, they all take my money quite the same), and this is one of the first events I'm helping to plan. I want this thing to be big. The weather should be good, the track is phenomenal, there are huge metal spider sculptures, a great pit area, local accommodations, fantastic curvy local roads, delicious restaurants and shopping nearby, and last but not least: The Museum. This is several stories with windows over looking the track itself, filled with motorcycles. Racing heritage is flowing throughout the entire facility. Its really a top-notch place.
The plan is, beyond a standard trackday, is to have a 'featured rider' on track as well. This is a set to be a racing celebrity of sorts. As an example, at the last Ducati-Only Day event at the Motorsports Ranch near Fort Worth, Larry Pegram was out on the track, along with Jeff Nash.
We will be bringing lots of folks from the DFW, Austin, Houston, San Antonia and any other TDuc's we can (The Texas group), and I'm hoping to get a lot of turnout from the Nashville, Knoxville, Chattanooga, Atlanta (and Georgia generally), Louisiana areas, but this is not limited to anybody from any geographic region. Its a holiday weekend and the track will be all ours. I believe its the intention of several of the Texas shops to work together to get riders there, and we want everyone who can make it to be included. This should be an event to be remembered.
I'd like to get a feeler of the number of hands of folks that would be interested. Going to need quite a lot of folks to make it affordable, of course the more people that can make it, the economy of scale will bring costs down for all.
TELL YOUR FRIENDS! This event is open to any Italian bike (Ducati, Aprilia, MV Agusta, Laverda, Bimota, Benelli, etc) and depending on numbers, we may go to "Euro" to save everybody a spot of cash, I have nothing against Trumpets for sure. The Ducati Day at Motorsports Ranch went very well with all the riders being very respectful of each other and squidliness behavior was gone. If your friends don't have an Italian Bike, perhaps you should point them to the nearest dealership offering the 2.99% deal. (or find new friends).
F.A.Q.
Q. Will I get to drink a beer with you?
A. Absolutely.
Q. What if I don't want to drink a beer with you, but I'd like to steal one from your treasure chest?
A. Be my guest, if you are there, I'm happy.
ooo that sounds awesome. Who would the track day be organized through? Count me in!
I've talked with Advanced Motorsports so far - Jeff Nash has organized their own track days since 1991, so they'll likely be the major component. We are going to work with some other area shops involved for communicating to riders who might want to attend, to get the word out, etc.
I'll talk to the shop.
I'm hoping I can get hold of Alain at Corse Motorsports in Nashville (where I used to get all my stuff done) and have him contact all the local riders and come down for the event, as well as any of the knoxville chaps.
Everybody is welcome to supply their own (and extra) umbrella girls.
I'd be interested if I'm not out of the country (buddy and I are trying to do an edelweiss tour) [moto]
I'm interested. [thumbsup] Wanted to ride at Barber last year, but the event I hoped for was cancelled. [bang]
Very cool. I'll go talk to the folks with the experience and inform them of the feeler study I've done and see what happens next.
I'm 30 minutes from Barber. I'll be there. [thumbsup]
No track time for me though.