fstntq Just went to a very nice European bike day and Ducati was the featured marque. There were a few factory bikes on display including a monocorse that was said to have won a few classes at Isle of man.
Jafa Nice pics. That Supermono was ridden by Robert Holden ( see "Holden" and the New Zealand flag on the screen, and Eurobike NZ on the fairing ). The following is shamelessly stolen from Wiki: "Robert Holden was the most successful of all Ducati Supermono racers. In 1994 Holden placed second in the Isle of Man TT, then returned to the 1995 Isle of Man TT to win the singles title.[2] Holden also won in Ireland's North West 200 Supermono class in 1995.[3] Holden died the following year in practice at the Isle of Man TT while riding a Ducati 916.[4] Holden would ride up to four different machines stepping off his Superbike onto a 250 Production machine then straight onto a 600 sports production bike followed by 15 laps and his Rotax 250 GP bike, it seemed at the time that Holden's only rest was during the sidecar race. He was helped early on in his career by Steve Dundon from Wellington Motorcycle Centre the combination of Dundon's experience and technical skills and Holden's hard riding led to many NZ titles.[citation needed] One of Holden's more famous exploits was known as "The Holden Sign" incident. This happened at the Manfeild Autocourse in Feilding. While leading the Open Production Race on his 1135 GSX Suzuki, he crashed at 200 km/h, the bike slid and cartwheeled through a large sign advertising "Holden" cars. The whole incident was televised and was shown on the 6 o'clock news. Holden was unhurt and walked back to the pits to the applause of the crowd.[citation needed] Later on in his career, Holden teamed up with retired Ducati racer turned team manager Dallas Rankine. The BMS team supplied Holden with eight-valve Ducati 916 motorcycles and a Ducati Supermono. Some of New Zealand's best racing was seen during the early nineties between Holden on the Ducati and Andrew Stroud on the famous Britten V1000. Holden's death at the Isle of Man in 1996 was a devastating loss for New Zealand racing. Dallas Rankine withdrew from all professional involvement in racing after losing his rider and close friend.[citation needed] The Robert Holden Memorial feature race at the famous Cemetery Circuit meeting in Wanganui, New Zealand is named in his honour." A true legend of New Zealand, and world, motorcycle road racing. Gone but never forgotten.
fstntq Wow, sounds like quite the racing legend. I'm a bit embarassed I did not know the name. Thanks for the bio. Mike
Mr.R Didn't Rob Holden race at the TT under the Sports Motorcycles banner for Steve Wynne? I thought that Steve Wynne pulledout from racing after Rob's death. Steve later emigrated to New Zealand to retire, but has since become involved again in racing, albeit in a smaller way. Strange how a Kiwi's bike ends up in the States and the Daytona winning Supermono ends up in a private house/collection on the IOM... I've seen this one along with the zero miles unused one in the same collection. Steve R
Claire4dukes Steve Wynne did support Robert at the IOM and pulled out of racing after Robert was killed. The photo is another one of the super monos Robert raced, this one belongs to Dallas Rankine - formerly of British Motorcycles and Spares. The Eurobike one would have been in the hands of Don O'Conner - owner of Eurobike (the Ducati importer into NZ before NFI in Aus took back responsibility for Ducati in NZ) and another proud supporter of Robert - he almost quit the racing scene as well but went on to support his son Rodney O'Conner on similar machinery. Don and Steve are close and it is likely Don supplied the bike and Steve the support for the campaign. I have heard both of them talk about it on separate occasions but can't remember the exact details. The incident at Manfield was spectacular, none more so for the fact Robert was running behind the bike after it went through the 'Holden” advertising hoarding; he forgot you shouldn't put your feet down before you have made sure you have stopped sliding. He then turned around and immediately took a bow. Cheers Nigel (& Claire)
