Get Out Your Money Two of Carl Fogarty’s Ducati’s Could be Yours!

If you don’t know who Carl Fogarty is, you probably aren’t into Ducati’s or World superbike racing. He is quite simply.... the legend of World Superbike racing!  Renowned and worshipped his gutsy, aggressive racing style and a determination to win at all costs, that produced four World Superbike titles and a total of eight world crowns! Yes he's known as King Carl!
He was the reason, standing at World Superbike Assen, first right hander after the long straight, where I fell in love with Ducati!
Who knew just a few years later I would be a guest in his pit box, same track with his team mate Troy Corser while they did their warm up laps preparing for the big WSBK race in 1999-his last season exited with another World title!

Okay, so here’s the fast rundown on Carl:

• Carl Fogarty was born on July 1, 1965 in Blackburn and started riding in competitions at the age of 14 before progressing on to the international stage at the age of 23 when he became the Formula 1 TT world champion.
• He is the most successful World Superbike racer of all time in terms of the number of championships and number of race wins
• The Blackburn Rovers (UK football club) fan won four World Superbike Championships in 1994, 1995, 1998 and 1999.
• He was renowned for his high corner speed riding style, combined with an aggressive competitiveness, which netted him 59 race victories.
• 1993 was the beginning of his era as a factory Ducati rider. He battled with Scott Russell for the title, winning 11 races to the American's five, but still came second.
• Fogarty was forced to retire from racing in 2000 after a racing incident at Philip Island when he hit privateer Ducati rider Robert Ulm and crashed.
• He suffered multiple injuries, including a serious shoulder injury which failed to heal well enough to allow him to race again.
• In 2002, Ducati released a special limited edition mode in his honour, the Monster S4 Fogarty.

The auction house Bonhams, UK will sell 2 ex-Carl Fogarty Ducati Superbikes at "Important Vintage & Collectors' Motorcycles

International Classic Motorcycle Show", Stafford England on 24 April 2011.

Bonhams is thrilled to offer for sale two Ducati’s associated with four-time World Superbike Champion, Carl Fogarty, both of which are owned by the same private collector in Northern Ireland.

The first is the Ducati 888 Corsa on which Carl won both the Superbike race and the headline event at the North West 200 in 1993, and which subsequently was campaigned by Michael Rutter in the British Superbike Championship. This historic machine was purchased by the current vendor in 2005 and has since been rebuilt by marque specialist John Hackett at Ducati Coventry. Estimate £26,000 – 30,000. (Pic left with NR 4 plate).

The 888 Corsa was reunited with Carl at the Ulster Grand Prix meeting in August 2009 where he rode the second of the two Ducati’s on offer, the 1998 916SPS 'Fogarty Replica'. (picture start grid 1998) This machine, the 2nd off the production line, was given to Carl by the Ducati factory and comes with two authenticating plaques, one of which states that the gift was in recognition of his 'outstanding contribution to the success of Ducati'. The machine retains its original and most appropriate registration number: 'S3 FOG', Carl having won his 3rd Superbike Championship in 1998. Estimate £21,000 – 25,000.

To arrange a free and confidential auction valuation with a view to selling, contact Bonhams Motorcycle division: motorcycles@bonhams.com
+44 (0) 8700 273 616
Check out the rest of the motorcycles in the lot preview that day! Oh what I'll do when the cash starts rolling in!

World Superbike Assen Memories

This weekend Dutch TT Circuit Assen plays host to 2007 race 5 of the World Superbike series. Normally, usually, I'm witnessing the phenomenon personally, live from the pit lane, or the starting grid mingling amidst the worlds best Superbike riders. In fact when I attended in 1999, I was a guest of then Ducati Press Officer Michele Morisetti (who photographed me that year during Int. Ducati Club races, for limited edition Ducati book via Italy!) in the pit box of 'King' Carl Fogerty and Troy Corser, yes I go back that far! In years to follow, I achieved my own status and ability through my company RaceGirl Motorsport where I had access to the press rooms, corporate hospitality VIP rooms (Honda, Ducati) pit lane and press office immediate following the race. It was so special and always exciting. Hanging out with the worlds best sports writers in the press room was equally exciting--these people knew how to watch motorcycle racing, what to look for and shared their years and years of knowledge/statistics on each rider, team and manufacturer. I always learned far more than any book could divulge and in less time.

Now, in Canada, I watch the race 24 to 48 hours later from an unrealistic distance. As I observe a melancholy mood overtakes me because there is nothing comparable to being there especially when you HAVE been and in the fortunate capacity I was. By this time and date I would have already enjoyed a couple lunches in Ducati's hospitality tent and several personal paddock tours (usually on his paddock scooter) with Giancarlo Falappa "The Lion", Ducati's honorary and renowned racer. We were introduced in 1999 and every WSB from then on, he would send me SMS messages about one week prior to check on my avail and confirm my attendance. I'll never forget the time he wanted to arrive early in Amsterdam and park his RV in my very narrow Dutch parking lot--funny! Even when I was in Brands Hatch and Sachsenring, we' d meet up--wonderful times.

When I partnered with Ten Kate, I also had opportunities to hang out and observe data logging techniques with the team, chat with Karl Muggeridge and enjoy Honda hospitality with the friendly Honda Europe team--yes I know, wonderful.

The first time I experienced the official World Superbike starting grid, actually being on it, was back in 2000 when invited to assist former Dutch GP500 racer Maarten Duyzers as he competed in WSB upon winning a WILDCARD. I had no idea at that time who was who other than Foggy and Corser really. I'd never payed any attention to motorcycle racing until I started to do it myself. Walking next to Frankie Chile, Bayliss meant very little to me. Thank goodness my buddy Dave Goebertus produced a memoir photo book for us -- it was special. It did rain, it most always rains in Assen. Here two pics above on race day from the grid, the back of start/finish. Maarten did a great job and qualified which is what most Wild Card riders can but hope to do. Consider then Maarten was +/-46 years of age, a wonderful achievement when you consider the other contenders were half his age.

Now, this weekend, 2007, my very dear friend young 24 years of age Ghisbert van Ginhoven is racing on his well deserved Supersport WILD CARD -- on his Ducati 749. This is a Ducati family. His father, Ab van Ginhoven has also lived a life amidst motorcycling--my dearest of dear friends, has been sending me progress SMS messages since practise started on Thursday. He has qualified and is doing great. I know Ghis well and I know he'll save his best performance for tomorrow -- just like Rossi does.
Here's a pic of the WILD CARD riders which include Dutch Barry Veneman en Arie Vos and red arrow pointing out Ghis.

I can't find any WSB on the Canadian Speed channel, so might have to miss it all together -- bit pathetic motorcycle racing here in Canada. So tomorrow Sunday, my spirit will be in Assen. I 'll imagine the many motorcycling, manufacturer, racer, rider friends, hanging out talking racing, viewing racing -- the Assen sounds, the excitement of race finishes. Me, I'll be heading out for a ride on my Ducati 1098S and celebrate Superbikes the best way I can, from this side of the globe -- riding one.
**Special acknowledgements and thanks to Willem Lute, Press Officer TT Circuit Assen for promoting and supporting RaceGirl ensuring/assisting accreditation.