Welcome Tim Maccabee, Ducati UKs managing director is standing at the podium inside the Paddock Suite at Donington, welcoming us to the Ducati Track Day. Flanking him are several models from the Ducati range and members of the Focussed Events team, including former Ducati riding British and World Superbike champion Neil Hodgson and Niall Mackenzie. Outside its raining and has been so since the early hours, the fabulous weather of the weekend, now just a fond memory. Introductions We listen as we tuck into our breakfast of bacon and sausage butties, coupled with the obligatory cup of tea or coffee. Tim elaborates about what the day will contain, which is far more than just a normal run of the mill trackday. There will be Bikesafe presentations throughout the day and during the lunch interval there will be Q&A sessions hosted by Neil Hodgson with Moto Rapido rider Matteo Baiocco, Ducati Corse rider Ayrton Badovini and the Superbike Project director Ernesto Marinelli followed by an autograph session. Carlos Checa was advertised, but was unable to attend having returned to Spain after experiencing continued problems with a shoulder injury. Throughout the day we would have the opportunity to test out the Bosch ABS systems present on the Ducati range, with three runs on ABS equipped Multistradas and Diavels, which sounded very interesting. Following the obligatory safety briefing and being told that Focussed Events were waiving their standard fee to ride with their star riders, it was time to head back to the garages and get the bikes ready for the sighting laps. It was still raining. To the track After the sighting laps and that first session on a totally sodden race track, it was plain to see that the riders fell into three groups. The first group were those riders who were prepared. Their bikes, mostly track weaponry, were shod in freshly cut ‘wets’, with the suspension softened up to make things a little easier. The second group was made up mostly of riders on road bikes with road tyres who went and tottered about, not wanting to push things too far for fear of meeting the tarmac at an uncomfortable angle. Finally there was the third group. This consisted of riders and bikes that stayed either in the garage or the van, knowing full well that they wouldn’t enjoy the conditions and didn’t want to risk damage to themselves or the bikes that they had lavished so much time and money on. Conditions ABS was designed for As the fun continued on the track, down at the ‘launch pad’ testing area on other side of Redgate and Hollywood corners, the Bosch technician was introducing riders to the world of ABS. The rain which was making the track conditions so bad was perfect to highlight the benefits that were to be had. The process with simple, the riders were allowed three 50mph runs on each of the two bikes and on each run were asked to do something different with the brakes. In the first run riders were asked to pull the clutch in and stamp on the back brake, for the second is was all about front brake and finally the third run, riders were asked to use a combination of both to simulate an emergency stop. Every single rider who took part was truly amazed at the stopping distance, especially given the tricky conditions. Meeting the riders As the final session before lunch started the rain had stopped and there was hope that the conditions would improve. Lunch was far above the usual track day fare, with a nice selection of both hot and cold foods. During the interval Neal Hodgson hosted his Q&A session with the riders and Ernesto Marinelli and Tim Maccabee donating a fleece for the best question, which was just another small way for Ducati to show its continued gratification for the riders of their bikes. The lucky winner certainly seemed happy to receive his prize from Neil Hodgson just before the start of the afternoon sessions. Sadly, it had started to rain again. Once more unto the breach... A few riders who had sat out most of the morning went out to test the conditions that had already claimed their fair share of bikes and riders, to see if they’d improved. They didn’t stay out there for long as the track was just as wet and un-rideable for them as it was in the morning. As the afternoon progressed riders started packing up as they realised that conditions weren’t going to improve enough before the track closed at 17:00 and resigned themselves to a drive or ride home. Despite the weather, the day could be seen as a success. Both Ducati and Focussed events made the most of a bad day. Riders had the choice whether to ride the circuit and the many that did, learnt something new about riding in the wet, even if that was only that they didn’t want to do it again. There were some crashes which no doubt tarnished the day for some, but it was also the chance to catch up with friends and to meet new people. The overall atmosphere was very good and everybody who attended was welcomed as part of the extended Ducati family. It was after all the love for the marque that brought everybody together. They think it's all over.... This isn’t the end of the story thou as Ducati will be returning later this year, reuniting with Focussed Events for another track day on September 9[SUP]th[/SUP] at the iconic Brands Hatch GP circuit in Kent. Hopefully, this time it won’t be raining.
