Chalk one up for 851/888's...

ripper996

Rode down to Laguna Seca on my 888 SP4 for the Moto Gp last weekend. The bike was entered into the Ducati Concourse showdown. When they announced my 888 as the 'Best Superbike' and then the 'Best in Show' I was blown away. Sadly, I think my 888 was the only one on Ducati Island. I saw two or three 851's, but that was it. Incredibly, when I walked around I didn't see one 916, a few 996's, no 998's and a couple of 999/749's. Almost every Ducati parked on the Island was all 2002> models such as MultiStrada's, Hypermotos', Monster's and 1098's, etc. Sad really.

Hang onto your 851's & 888's. They really are now among the classic Ducati's made. A lot of people came up to me to ask about the bike. Those who knew what it was asked me if it was for sale. I guess being 1 of maybe 5 in the USA, that makes it pretty rare. It feels good to know I'm part of a special group of Ducati owners with a fabulous machine.

http://www.ducati.com/od/ducatinorthamerica/news/detail.jhtml?newsId=29241

griff851

A big congrats on your win. Was it a good week end?

Griff

andypocock

I have to compliment the judges on their extreme good taste.

Well done.

Mr.R

Hi Tom,
Well done that man. I know how you feel though...
My 851/916 special won the award for 'Best 4V Ducati' at the Ducati International reunion at the Isle of Man TT this year, that's twice in the last 3 years now.
It's nice to put a face to the man though with your picture, I'm the one on the right in my shot, which was taken at the Creg on Mad Sunday.

Steve R

P.S. I only had the Pirelli cap on because it was f**king cold!

Viggo888

Great to see you go the best bike award. I saw your SP4 at the island and my first thought was lucky guy wonder how he got it registered in CA. Second thought was I wonder if he would sell it😄

I couldn't ride my SPO to the race since my son wanted to come to his first bike race. On Friday I took the Pantah and got to park it in front of the display tent like yours.

ripper996

Griff, Andy, Steve & Viggo

It was a great Sunday. Unfortunately, I could only make it that day due to work commitments on Saturday. The race was flippin' fantastic! Pedrosa led from start to finish, but Rossi almost got him at the last corner. Very exciting. Hayden and Stoner seemed to get tired as the race went on.

I'm sure Viggo will agree with me, but "what the hell was all that tree bark doing all over the place?" on Ducati Island. I asked someone from Ducati USA and he told me that they chopped down a bunch of trees that used to line the exterior of the Island and dumped the bark/mulch over most of Island. After I was notified that I had been selected as one of the Judge's entries, I had to push my bike through what seemed to be a dead Brazilian rain forest.

Anyway, a good day, all in all, except like I said about the lack nowadays of 1990's Ducs.

PS. Nice one Steve. We've spoke a few times and it is nice to put a face to your name.

marvin

Congrats.! Great looking bike!!

bulldog955

Congrats! 😁

Stokely

Well done!! Show them what a real bike looks like😄

ripper996

851corsa wroteI especially like your avitar pic

Thanks mate.

solo 2

Congrats, beautiful machine. I've posted elsewhere how you don't see the older Ducs much at shows. My 851 is rare up here and turns alot of heads, but they are a more modern looking machine, and some of the younger guys actually know what it is. When I take my Pantah 600 to show it, it seems to be only the older guys who even give it a cursory glance. I'm suprised that you wouldn't get a huge turnout of classic Ducs in California, especially at a track like Laguna.