Ducati hold first press conference in India at the largest Ducati Store in the world
• Two new variants of the Scrambler revealed in India - Classic and Full Throttle
• Ducati India announces the opening of its Dealership in Bangalore in October

New Delhi, India, 22 June 2015 – At an event held in New Delhi at the largest Ducati Store in the world, the iconic Italian motorcycle brand made its first official press conference since entering India and Ducati India Pvt. Ltd. took the occasion to announce the arrival of two new variants of the Scrambler.

Ducati India Pvt. Ltd is the youngest of 11 official subsidiaries owned worldwide by Ducati and since opening its first dealerships in Delhi NCR and Mumbai, has received a tremendous response from the motorcycling community. Their wide range of motorcycles appeal to many different types of enthusiast, such as the latest edition to the Monster family: the Monster 821, alongside the Monster S2R and 795. Ducati India also presents the Hypermotard and Hyperstrada, all models of the Diavel family and the 899, 1299, 1299 S and Panigale R.

During the conference, Mr. Pierfrancesco Scalzo (Asia General Manager of Ducati) spoke about the brand’s history, its Italian heritage and current range, while Mr. Ravi Avalur (Ducati India Pvt. Ltd Managing Director) presented plans for India’s network, confirmed the opening of a new dealership in UB City, Bangalore in October 2015 and unveiled the the two new Scrambler variants.

Remarking on Ducati’s official entry to India, Pierfrancesco Scalzo said: “in 2013 we began our groundwork in India and our belief in the market has been reaffirmed. This has been possible with great partners such as AMP, Infinity and VST. I have travelled extensively across the length and breadth of India, met Ducatisti, felt their passion and know that we will be successful in this country. Ducati will provide the same high standards of service in India as we do everywhere else in the world”.

“We introduced the Scrambler Icon in June and were overwhelmed with the positive response from our customers,” said Ravi Avalur. "Now, we’re proud to unveil the Scrambler Classic and Full Throttle and are confident that motorcyclists will love these versatile machines also. Of the two new Scrambler variants introduced, the Classic is aimed at those who appreciate attention to detail and 1970s style, but who don’t want to compromise on riding pleasure and functionality. The Full Throttle version, inspired by the flat track world, is destined for those who want a motorcycle perfect for every-day use and with a distinctive racing style”.

Mr. Pierfrancesco Scalzo concluded the event announcing new openings in the rest of the country, including Pune and Hyderabad and he remarked that the main target for Ducati is to provide unlimited satisfaction to the customers in India.

The Ducati store in New Delhi, which is now fully operational, covers five floors and, with a total floor area of 2,694 square metres, takes over the honour of being the biggest in the world.

Known as 'Rocket Ron' the British former Grand Prix motorcycle road racer, has over 30 years of racing under his belt, where he won 3 World titles and 4 British championships...
Father of Leon - who is nicknamed 'Pocket Rocket'.

The Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM) has reacted with disappointment to the big increase in fatalities on Scotland’s roads as announced this morning by Transport Scotland, stating it made the Scottish government’s mid-term review of its Road Safety Plan all the more urgent.

Key Reported Road Casualties Scotland 2014 figures show of the total of 11,240 road casualties reported in 2014 there were 200 fatalities - 16% more than 2013.

There were also 1,694 seriously injured, some 22 or 1% more than 2013. Figures show there was a 44.6% increase in motorcycle casualties including 31 fatalities (see reference 1 for all figures).

Neil Greig, IAM director of policy and research, said: “While in many areas figures are falling, in some very important ones they have risen alarmingly.

“There has been a lot going on in road safety in Scotland with projects such as the A9 average speed cameras coming on stream but the challenge of breaking the link between rising traffic and crashes remains a huge one.

“Alongside the government the IAM want to see more incentives for individuals and companies to improve the quality of their driving and riding. New roads and new cars have delivered year on year death reductions for decades but the underlying human factors involved must now receive even higher priority.”

The IAM’s Manifesto addresses what the charity believes need to happen to reduce the numbers of those killed and seriously injured on the roads. You can download it here

COMING UP!

Triton & Cafe Racer Day, Sunday 28th June, 9am – 5pm

Ace Cafe London’s annual Triton & Cafe Racer Day, celebrating clip-ons, rear-sets and swept-backs, this year not only includes with stands and displays by both the 59 and Busy Bee clubs, but also Mascot Leathers, whose London roots go back to 1881, displaying their newly reintroduced legendary “W” style “Black Night” & “Black Rock”, ton-up single zip black leathers jackets!

Up for grabs on the day, as a very special prize, is a brand new, uniquely styled and iconic, Mascot Leathers Ltd jacket, as first introduced and available to the public in 1957.

Spot prizes for “Best Cafe Racers” throughout the day include for:

Best Triton
Best Classic
Best Modern

In addition, spend £5 or more over the counter at the cafe from 10am, and receive a raffle ticket to be in with a chance of winning prizes to include:

A pair of tickets to attend the cafe’s Elvis Tribute Night 8.8.15

A pair of tickets to attend the cafe’s annual Stunt Festival & Streetfighter Show, Wembley 26.7.15

A pair of tickets to attend Ace/Brooklands Ton Up Day 5.7.15

Draw will take place at 3pm

www.mascotleathers.com
www.brooklandsmuseum.com

For more information about what's on at the Ace, check out:
www.ace-cafe-london.com

John Surtees announces auction and star-studded line-up for the 2015 Henry Surtees Foundation Team Karting Challenge | Tuesday 30 June 2015 | Mercedes-Benz World Circuit, Brooklands

The fourth annual ‘Henry Surtees Foundation Team Karting Challenge’ will take place at the Mercedes-Benz World Circuit, Brooklands on Tuesday 30 June. The prestigious event will see approximately 30 teams consisting of over 100 competitors from the world of motorsport; business and entertainment battle it out in a 2hr endurance race in Daytona’s high-performance, two-stroke Dmax karts.

The race will be officially flagged off by five-time Le Mans winner Derek Bell and closed by Former Formula 1 World Champion Damon Hill OBE. Also pledging his time and support to the foundation is ‘Great British Bake Off’ TV presenter Paul Hollywood.

During the karting interval will be a fabulous parade – as Damon Hill OBE will take to the circuit in the 1965 Tasman 2.5 litre Climax Lotus type 32B that Jim Clark won the Tasman Series with (Courtesy of Classic Team Lotus) to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Jim Clark winning his second Formula One World Championship. Derek Bell MBE will be reunited with the Surtees TS7 that he successfully raced for the team; Scott Malvern will drive the Surtees TS10 Formula 2 car that John Surtees won the Japanese Grand Prix and Imola Gold Cup in 1972. The ex-Alan Jones TS19 will be driven by a driver nominated by the Racing Steps Foundation.

John Surtees OBE said “There are still a limited number of places available for teams to participate in the HSF Team Karting Challenge. Why not put a team of four together and come and join us at Brooklands - the original home of motorsport, where you will be able to enjoy the superb facilities of Mercedes-Benz World in the company of the Henry Surtees Foundation and our star guests”.

Aside from the karting action and celebrity driver parades, visitors are being actively encouraged to attend the event, which is FREE to spectate!, and provides a great opportunity to explore the impressive Mercedes-Benz World visitor attraction featuring interactive displays, racing simulators and motorsport exhibits.

The HSF Team Karting Challenge event culminates in a prize giving Champagne reception courtesy of G H Mumm in the impressive state-of-the-art Mercedes-Benz World venue where the prestigious 'H' trophy is awarded to the 2015 karting champion. A trophy will also be judged and awarded to the highest finishing corporate team, to compete without a race license holder within the team.

Tickets are also available to attend the Champagne and canapé reception (£65 per person). The reception will be hosted by Steve Rider and feature trophy prize giving, interviews with racers and celebrity guest participants plus a fabulous fundraising auction hosted by Malcolm Barber of Bonhams featuring exclusive artwork, memorabilia and experiences. G.H. Mumm Champagne will, once again, be poured by generous arrangement with the House and Bernie Ecclestone. The reception is open to all paid guests. To purchase tickets, please email: [email protected]

Event Address: Mercedes-Benz World, Brooklands Drive, Weybridge, Surrey, KT13 0SL

Event Schedule:

10:45 – 11:00 Drivers Briefing
11:15 – 11.45 Kart Tests
12:00 – 12:50 Practice (50mins)
13.10 PRESS CALL: Group photograph
13.30 PRESS CALL/INTERVIEWS AVAILABLE WITH JOHN SURTEES, DAMON HILL, DEREK BELL, SCOTT MALVERN and OLIVER ROWLAND
14:00 – 14:10 Qualifying (10mins)
14:15 – 14:45 On-track demos with Derek Bell, Damon Hill, Scott Malvern and Oliver Rowland
15:00 – 17:00 Race (2 hours)
18:00 – 20:00 Champagne Reception including Awards Ceremony/Auction.