Barber Vintage Fest Parade laps with Cook Neilson, Paul Smart and Jason DiSalvo

Photo by Michael Lawless 

We were making our way through the Barber Museum in Birmingham, Alabama when Cook strode out of the office, leathers and helmet in tow. He tossed the gear at us and suggested we follow him. Inside the elevator we went, dropping down to the limited access lower level, where the workshops are as well as other machines being prepared for display. We ended up outside the back of the museum, with the likes of Phil Schilling and Alan Cathcart waiting on Cook and his fellow riders to show. We watched the festivities get under way with the Race of the Century, a race for 100 year old machines on the race track. Someone suggested he check his Sundial to check lap times, but I think everyone enjoyed watching these grand old machines tackle the tracks many hills and curves.

Legends of Ducati V-Twin racing history, Cook Neilson and Paul Smart enjoy a brief reunion before getting ready to get in some laps at Barber Motorsports track. Both bikes are replicas, The #31 Old Blue is  near identical 750 round case Ducati specifically built for the purpose of Cook to ride at events like these. The silver bike in the background is the Paul Smart Replica, an official production replica produced by Ducati at the launch of their Sports Classic line.

2011 will be remembered as the year Ducati recaptured glory at Daytona Speedway. Young Jason DiSalvo rode his Ducati 848 to a win in a controversial race. Dunlop failed to account for changes to the new track surface resulting in rapid wear to the spec front tires and the race had to be stopped until all racers received a new front. Just before the race was stopped, though, DiSalvo's Ducati expired on last lap. During the down time brought about by the tire fiasco, DiSalvo's crew replaced his engine and they just barely made the re-start. Jason was a man on a mission, eventually demonstrating his determination with masterful moves in the final laps to snatch victory. This is the bike Jason won it on and he was about to put in some laps with his fellow Ducati legends.

Last minute preparations were made as the bikes were made ready.

I could almost swear I heard Queen's "We are the Champions" playing somewhere as the guys got going.

The starter engine is placed to the rear wheel of Cook's Ducati and the big twin booms into life. The echo bounced off the backside of the museum as he warmed up the engine.

                                                          
                                                                  photo by Michael Lawless

Cook Neilson: Winner of the Daytona Superbike race 1977

 Photo by ML

I'm pretty sure JD is telling Cook, "no, these shift on the other side, sir". On the old #31 bike, shifting is on the right side, reverse pattern. JD did get to get in some laps on Old Blue on Sunday.

photo by ML

Jason told me he'll be riding a Triumph 675 next season in the AMA pro series. He has joined his new team and moved south to run a race school here at Barber as well. Expect big things from JD is 2012. That's Jeff Craig and Phil Schilling in the background. Mr. Schilling is soon to be inducted into the AMA Hall of Fame this November for his contributions to the sport as well as his years as editor of Cycle magazine.

The post parade cool down and the guys eagerly swap stories of their brief adventure on Saturday. Neilson was  the featured guest for the event, but he was always willing to share the spotlight with the friends.

photo by ML

Triumph enthusiast and master blogger, Matt Smith with the Ducati. Check out his work at http://www.smokeandthrottle.com/  and  http://www.theselfcenteredman.com/

That Saint Chistophers medallion is the last things bugs see before they're sucked into the carb bellmouth according to legend.  More to follow in the pits at Barber on our next post on racing at Barber on a 1961 Norton Manx.

Radnor Hunt Concours 2011

The 15th Annual Radnor Hunt Concours d' Elegance featured Stutz automobiles, Jaguars E-Types and the designs of Virgil Exner, the great finned dream machines of the 1950's. The motorcycle group featured Ducati, from Cucciolo to Desmosedici and a special group of Italian lightweight machines.

Take one : A behind the scenes look filming at the Simeone Museum. Two of our guests share an on-camera moment for the TV show project that we're working on. Dave Hailwood interviews Nobby about his time in the Grand Prix scene and the famous 1967 Isle of Man TT battle between David father, the late Mike Hailwood and Giacomo Agostini. Nobby was Mikes Honda mechanic and was also with him when he made his famous comeback in 1978 at the Isle of Man on a Ducati.

The Radnor Hunt Black Tie Gala with guests Cook Neilson, Harlan Hadley, Dave Hailwood , Nobby Clark and John Lawless

John Stoddart of Fast by Ferracci hosted " Drinks with Dave" at the Desmond Hotel in Malvern, PA for a  group of select customers  to meet and greet our guests.

Dave, at an event in Europe, where he gets to ride some of the greatest bikes in the world.

Nobby meets Eraldo Ferracci on Sunday, Sept 11 at Radnor Hunt Concours. Both gentlemen were guest judges for this years event.

2011 RHC Motorcycle Trophy Class Winners

1) Preservation Award: Christopher Jensen - 1952 Ducati Cucciolo Model 48

2) Road Motorcycle 500cc & under: Peter Calles - 1957 MV Agusta 175 Turismo Lusso

3) Competition Motorcycle 500cc & under: David Markel - 1957 Rumi Junior

4) Road Motorcycle 1000cc & under: Roy Kidney - 1973 Ducati 750SS

5) Competition motorcycle 1000cc & under: Robert Mirabile – 1954 MV Agusta Squalo 175

6) Postwar Class 1950-1961: Roy Kidney – 1957 Ducati 175 Sport

7) Classic Class 1962-1973: John Henry – 1963 Ducati 250 Diana Mk III

8) Modern Class 1974-1986: Peter Calles – 1979 Ducati 750 Mike Hailwood Replica

9) Post Modern Class 1987-present: Gary Maucher – 2001 Ducati MH900E

10) Best of Show: Peter Calles – 1957 MV Agusta 175 Turismo Lusso

11) The Hailwood Trophy – Gilbert Patterson – Ducati GP Due by Alex Ortner

Our judges take a short break from the proceedings. With 50 motorcycles to be judged, it was an exhausting afternoon before the winners were chosen.  This years judges included Dave Hailwood, Cook Neilson, Nobby Clark, Gary Fisher, Eraldo Ferracci, Ned Owens, Michael Lawless, Michael 'Tex Mawby, Patrick Dean, Kurt Rappolt, Stephen duPont, John Lawless and Chief  Judge Taylor Ogden.

Hailwood rides again! Dave give the superb 1973 Ducati 750SS a try for size. Easy does it Dave, that one's worth six figures plus !

Stutz was the featured marque for the Radnor Hunt Concours and Nobby got a chance to test one at the museum before the big event. Driver Kevin got it going quick enough to leave black marks on the asphalt during cornering.

The Fast by Ferracci showroom in Willow Grove, PA, sponsors and exhibitors at the 15th Annual Radnor Hunt Concours d' Elegance.  

Dave tries out the Eric Buell Racing Superbike at the FBF showroom.  In the background, the ex-Luca Scassa MV Agusta AMA superbike, the pre-production '99 MV Agusta F4750 Oro that has a film history and the 1000ccCC Model F4MV, the ultimate version of the stunning MV superbike. Leathers from Mladin to Spencer, Kocinski, Corser all hang in the rafters. Mr. Ferraci and Doug Polen won two World Superbike titles before scooping up two AMA Superbike titles. This dealership has a worldwide reputation for winning performance. 

During the RH Road Rally, these two young ladies were driving a Porsche quickly thru the Chester County , PA backroads, but the cool Mr. Clark stayed in close proximity in the Audi A7 with Dave at the wheel. The young ladies found out he's the real deal, with true to life stories from the Swingin' Sixties club of London. I believe they were duly impressed.  

Ducati and Italian Motorcycle Exhibit

Check out http://www.simeonemuseum.org/ for details.

Opening party is Saturday night August 13 with special guest, former

Cycle World editor and AMA racer Cook Neilson.