Ducati Riding Experience 2008
The Ducati driving courses to improve safety, control,
technique and fun on motorcycles are starting up again
The latest edition of the Ducati Riding Experience,
Ducati’s renowned driving courses for enthusiasts
that wish to improve their driving technique or simply
get on a bike for the first time in a professional
and secure setting, is ready to go.
The 2007 season saw the introduction of the new 1098,
the most powerful twin-cylinder production bike in
the world, which provided much excitement and incredible
driving performance to many participants.
This high standard set from the previous year will
be maintained in 2008 with additional, interesting
surprises, first of which is the chance to get on
the track with the new Ducati 848, a bike that is
both agile and light but at the same time, it performs
at an extremely high level and completes the Ducati
Superbike family with a smaller engine capacity with
respect to the 1098. The Hypermotard, an extreme and
thrilling bike that has met indisputable success on
the market, is yet another exciting surprise that
will be available for participants. To top it all
off, the highly anticipated Monster 696, which, although
not yet available, will become the motorcycle for
the Basic Course.
In addition to the news regarding the most recent
bikes added to DRE, there is also exciting news about
dates and circuits. In fact, DRE 2008 will debut on
18-19 March at the famous Mugello circuit and then
cross the Italian border, landing at the prestigious
“Le Castellet” circuit in France.
Driving a motorcycle is an exciting experience and
Ducati wants to make sure that every fan can experience
the two-wheeled thrills that a motorcycle can provide
- within the limits of the rider and the bike. DRE
makes this possible with a team of professional instructors,
including famous riders like Dario Marchetti, Marco
Luchinelli, and Niccolò Canepa, the young 2007
Superstock 1000 Champion, who will participate in
some DRE sessions for the first time.
The driving courses organised by Ducati are aimed
at those who want to learn to drive a motorcycle or
improve their driving technique to face the street
and track in complete safety. There are many types
of scheduled courses, starting with the Basic Course,
offering the first driving information, to the Master
Racing Course for those riders that wish to perfect
their track riding techniques. As in the past, the
courses are structured to cover an entire day, alternating
between on-bike sessions and lessons on theory.
Basic Course
This course has been designed for people with no
driving experience who would like to give it a try
or who would like to move from being a passive passenger
to an active rider. The classes include theory and
individual riding sessions that will take place in
the paddock with a reduced-power Monster 695 and the
new Monster 696 (based on availability). You must
be over 18 to participate in this course.
The course is designed for a maximum of 28 participants,
divided into groups of four students. The course includes
on-bike sessions aimed at teaching the basics of bike
riding (starting, cornering and braking) and elementary
theory lessons. Each participant is entitled to four
individual practice sessions with an instructor.
Intermediate Course
This course is aimed at men and women who already
have some riding experience but want to improve their
skills. In particular, the course covers common road
situations and focuses on how to tackle them using
specific riding techniques with the goal to increase
safety and to correct any risky or incorrect riding
behaviour. The exercises are designed to help riders
maintain better control of their bikes and avoid potentially
dangerous everyday situations while obtaining a more
correct driving technique. To participate in this
course it is necessary to have a driving licence without
limitations of engine displacement.
The course is designed for a maximum of 42 participants
divided into groups of six students. The bikes available
for the course are the Hypermotard and the Multistrada
1100. Each group will have four bikes available to
ride in each session. After a series of riding exercises
in the paddock, students will have the opportunity
in the afternoon to test their skills on the track
(one session), in complete safety, with their instructors
Racing Course
An important change for 2008 is the subdivision of
the Racing Course into two levels. Based on the experience
of the participants, it is possible to enrol in either
the 1° or 2° level of the course:
1° Level Racing Course
This course has been designed for beginning track
riders or those with little track experience (having
been on a track from zero to four times). This is
a sport riding course that takes riders to the track
for the first time or helps them improve their technique
according to the needs of each participant. It is
necessary to have a motorcycle licence without limitations
of engine displacement to take part in this course.
The course is designed for a maximum of 10 participants,
divided into groups of 5-6 students with the brand
new Superbike 848. Students will be organised into
groups based on the level of experience they indicate
when registering for the course and which is demonstrated
to instructors on the track. If necessary, DRE staff
will adjust the groups after the first on-track session.
2° Level Racing Course
This course is aimed at skilled street riders (men
and women) who have never been on a track, or have
limited track riding experience (having been on a
track at least four times). This sport riding course
is designed to help experienced riders improve their
track riding techniques, depending on the needs of
each participant. It is necessary to have a motorcycle
licence without limitations of engine displacement
to take part in this course.
The course uses the Superbike 1098 and is designed
for a maximum of 30 participants, divided into groups
of 5-6 students. Students will be organised into groups
based on the level of experience they indicate when
registering for the course and which is demonstrated
to instructors on the track. If necessary, DRE staff
will adjust the groups after the first on-track session.
Master Racing Course
The Master Racing Course is designed for very expert
riders who would like to get ready for competitive
track racing, like the prestigious Ducati Desmo Challenge.
The training is aimed at building on existing track
skills to reach a more advanced level regarding all
aspects of performance. To participate in this course,
it is necessary to have a driving licence without
limitations of engine displacement.
In order to participate in the Master Course, it
is very strongly recommended to have already participated
in one track course, and participation is not recommended
for riders that have ridden on the track less than
10 times.
The course uses the Superbike 1098 S and is designed
for a maximum of 18 participants. Each group will
be made up of a maximum of just 3 riders so that participants
will have personal attention from their instructors.
If necessary, DRE staff will adjust the groups after
the first on-track session.
Special On-Board Tests: During
the course, each rider will have the opportunity to
ride a 1098 S equipped with a data acquisition system
which will record information from the bike regarding
the rider's performance. Each participant of the Master
Racing Course will have the opportunity to use this
bike to carry out the test. Recorded data will include:
throttle opening, RPM, vehicle speed, lap times, suspension
travel, brake pressure, tyre temperatures and lateral
and longitudinal G-forces. At the end of the course,
each student will receive a copy of their own data.
Riders
Dario Marchetti
Dario, head instructor, has raced practically all
over the world and in very category, from the 500GP
to Superbike, winning four national titles. In 2001,
he won the Italian Endurance title with the Ducati
996R. In 2004, he won the Battle of the Twins in Daytona
in the seat of a 748, and in the same year, he competed
in the European Endurance Cup with Marc Garcia with
the 998 and 999R models. Once again for this year,
he is a Master Racing Course instructor.
Marco Lucchinelli
It is difficult to find an instructor more qualified
that the Grand Prix 500 World Champion of the 500.
Marco, one of the great Italian riders of his time,
won the prestigious world title in the 500 class in
1981 and has six GP victories and a total of 19 podiums
under his belt. He raced with Ducati in TTF1 and TTF2
and won two “Battle of the Twins” races
in Daytona. Today, he is offering all of his experience
to DRE – to have him as an instructor for the
Master Racing Course would make the “Ducati
Riding Experience” most memorable.
Registration and Payment
Registration for these courses, which opens in the
end of February, is only available on-line through
www.ducati.com. Payment can be made by credit card
or bank transfer following the instructions on the
site. Special rates are available for Official Ducati
Club members. The cost of the courses includes bike
use, lunch, open café, welcome kit, on-site
photographer, and special arrangements with hotel
facilities.
Riding Gear
Every participant must provide all necessary equipment:
leathers (one or joint two-piece), full-face helmet,
gloves and boots. There will be the possibility to
hire all necessary items when registering on-line
for the course (items available while stock lasts).
Course Calendar
- Tuesday 18 March - Mugello
- Wednesday 19 March - Mugello
- Wednesday 23 April - Adria
- Thursday 24 April - Adria
- Wednesday 21 May - Adria
- Thursday 22 May - Adria
- Wednesday 4 June - Monza
- Monday 14 July - Castellet (France)
- Tuesday 15 July - Castellet (France)
- Tuesday 2 September - Misano
- Wednesday 3 September - Misano
More information can be found on www.ducati.com
or by contacting customer service at dre@ducati.com
or +39 051 6413584.
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