ITALY’S OLDEST VINTAGE MOTORCYCLE RALLY,
MOTOGIRO AMERICA, COMES TO CALIFORNIA IN JULY 2008
MOTOGIRO AMERICA
ONLINE REGISTRATION
NOW AVAILABLE
The most famous vintage road rally on two wheels, the Motogiro America comes to Monterey. Departure is scheduled for July 13, 2008 from historic Cannery Row and stops include: Paso Robles and a lap on the Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca in honour of the MotoGP Championship.
Register online at www.motogiroamerica.com today!
March 8, 2008, Bologna:
“We expect to see legions of vintage motorcycle lovers, Italian sport riders and bike fans at this summer’s Motogiro America,” said David M. Gross, founder of Dream Engine, the Bologna-based entertainment company that is organizing the “Motogiro America” scheduled for July 2008. “I am amazed at the interest and participation we have seen in the first few weeks since announcing the event. Many of the Italian vintage clubs are attending. Historic Motogiro racers like Giuliano Maoggi, winner of 1956’s Motogiro d’Italia, will participate. The best way to secure a spot is by registering through the website our www.motogiroamerica.com. ”
Motogiro America is supported by ANCMA, the Associazione Nazionale Ciclo Motociclo Accessori, the Italian Trade Commission of Los Angeles, Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, The City of Monterey, and leading companies in the Italian motorcycle industry. Cycle World and Moto-Euro are media sponsors.
“Motogiro America brings all of the most exciting aspects of Italian industry and culture – creativity, dynamism, competitive spirit, technical innovation and a dose of real torque to California this summer,” said Paola Bellusci, the Italian Trade Commisioner based in Los Angeles, “I am so thrilled that American enthusiasts will taste the excitement of vintage motorcycling and scooters in true Italian style.”
Motogiro America, a classic motorcycle timed-tour, covers more than one hundred miles each day during its five-day route and explores the Monterey Peninsula’s twisting country roads, challenging mountain passes and spectacular Pacific panoramas.
Motogiro America 2008 will kick-off a full week of motor sports excitement on the Monterey Peninsula leading up to MotoGP weekend at the Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. Events begin on Friday July 11th with a symposium on Italian design and a vintage motorcycle Concours D’Elegance and welcome dinner on Saturday July 12th. On Sunday July 13th, participants will depart from the heart of historic Monterey – Cannery Row – and head for the Mazda Raceway – where they may ride a lap of honour. Many of the original Motogiro racers from Italy will attend.
The tour is open to motorcycles of all marques and is divided into categories: Vintage Racing Class, Touring Class, 70s Twin Class, Super Sport Class and Scooter Class.
The Vintage Racing Class features the motorbikes that define the Motogiro. With an overall limit of 120, this class features motorbikes with a maximum of 175cc manufactured before 1957. Bikes inspired by original Motogiro bikes yet manufactured subsequent to 1957 may also apply. The Vintage Racing Class motorbikes will be subject to timed, competitive ability tests en route, and the winner of this class will take home a grand prize.
The Touring Class will follow the same itinerary as the other two classes and is open to bikes of all makes from all years. This class is suited to those who wish to live the excitement of Motogiro America in a relaxed, non-competitive way.
The 70s Twin Class welcomes all motorbikes of all makes manufactured between 1968 and 1978. Riders in this class will be subject to timed, competitive ability tests en route similar to those carried out by participants of the Vintage Racing Class.
Super Sport Class
The SS class open to 250 cc motorcycles and sidecars of all makes, built up to 1968.
Scooter Class
Scooters will have their own special Motogiro class to celebrate the various iconic Italian scooters produced during the last half century.
For collectors of vintage bikes and motorcycle enthusiasts everywhere, the Motogiro America 2008 is the chance to create an electric atmosphere of Italian competition, camaraderie and adventure. Motogiro America is a glimpse of the past brought dynamically to life for today’s motorcycle enthusiast.
For press and registration information on Motogiro America, please contact:
In Italy:
Dream Engine
tel. +39 051 583 690
fax +39 051 339 4319
email: motogiroamerica@dreamengine.it
www.motogiroditalia.com
In the USA:
FitzRich, Inc
tel. +1 312-952-3102
fax.+1 312-951-7313
email: burt@fitzrich.com
New $72,500 motorcycles revs up sales at AMS
North Texas Ducati motorcycle dealer and national racing champion Jeff Nash has pre-sold 30 of the Italian manufacturer's new 2008 bike bearing a $72,500 price tag.
"He has sold the most of any dealer in the world," said J.P. Canton, spokesman for Ducati's North American division, based in San Francisco. Just 55 Ducati dealerships, out of 175 in the nation, sell the extremely limited edition Desmosedici RR racing bike, including Nash's Advanced Motor Sports Inc.
Ducati, which sells only 40,000 of its niche sport bikes worldwide each year -- about 11,000 in the United States -- is making just 1,500 of the Desmosedici. Production began two weeks ago.
A 16-valve, 200-horsepower racing bike, the Desmosedici this year won the industry's highly regarded MotoGP Road-Racing World Championship in its class.
A Grand Prix prototype with lights and mirrors, the Desmosedici is the first road-going Grand Prix prototype for public sale. It's assembled by hand at the company's factory in Bologna, Italy.
With a carbon-fiber body, titanium parts and forged magnesium race wheels, it's the first 200-horsepower motorcycle released to the public. Only five of the bikes are made each day, Nash said. Deliveries start in December.
"I personally am going to purchase one," said Nash, who won seven national racing titles from 1990 to 2003.
A native of New Zealand but a longtime North Texas resident, Nash is one of Ducati's top dealers in the nation. The manufacturer frequently ranks him as its top technician, among the top five U.S. dealers for bike sales, and No. 1 for U.S. sales of performance gear and accessories.
An enigma
As a racing champion turned businessman, Nash is an enigma, Canton said. He has built up sales of the sport bike in Texas, which historically opts for touring and cruiser bikes.
