On the 6th June Ducati celebrates the 30th anniversary of Mike Hailwood’s legendary win and the 50th anniversary of its participation in the TT. The 2008 Tourist Trophy road race takes place from 24th May to 7th June, around the Isle of Man and this year’s event will be a special opportunity for race fans to celebrate this anniversary with Ducati. One of the prime reasons for celebration is undoubtedly the 30th anniversary of the 2nd June 1978, the date of Mike Hailwood’s unforgettable race to victory on a Ducati 900. It was as an incredible achievement as it was unexpected, as Hailwood came out of retirement and stunned the world of motorcycling by beating the odds-on favourite Phil Read on his Honda to complete a fairytale return to racing and the Isle of Man TT.
In 1972 Smart rode the Ducati 750 Supersport to victory at Imola, putting the big twin on the map. Paul Smart and his wife Maggie will attend the inaugural Motogiro America in Monterey California this summer. Departure is scheduled for July 13, 2008 from Monterey’s historic Cannery Row and stops include: Paso Robles and a lap on the Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca in honour of the Red Bull MotoGP Championship. As a motorcycle racer, Smart is best known for his breakthrough win at the 200 Miles of Imola aboard a Ducati 750 Supersport.
Imola, 1972. The setting and date are engraved in the cornerstone of Ducati's racing foundation. When Paul Smart and Bruno Spaggiari came first and second in the inaugural 200-mile race, the Superbike era had officially arrived. Engineer Fabio Taglioni's unproven desmo 750 twin was catapulted to stardom, and in 1973 the production SuperSport model was unveiled.