Press Release | October 11, 2018
Ducati Detroit took home a win at the AHRMA Barber Cup Pro Challenge in Leeds, Alabama.
This is a press release from Ducati…
Detroit, MI (October 11, 2018) – Ducati is no stranger to victory on the racetrack, and last weekend it was with great enthusiasm that Ducati Detroit took home a win at the AHRMA Barber Cup Pro Challenge in Leeds, Alabama. Rider Taylor Knapp beat out his fellow competitors on a Ducati Panigale R, the company’s last homologated twin, in the second annual running of the race, which was organized during the Barber Vintage Festival at Barber Motorsports Park. Now in its 14th year, the Barber Vintage Festival took place from October 5-7 and is a leading motorcycle festival hosted by the world-renowned Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum in Alabama.
“The race was good. I didn’t have the best of starts, but was able to keep the lead group within reach. I got around Tommy (Bridewell – British Superbike) on lap three and made my way up to Geoff (May – Moto America/World SBK), “ said Ducati pilot, Taylor Knapp. After I passed Geoff for the lead I tried to put some distance between us, but he came back and passed me on the next lap. I was able to re-pass him on the brakes into T1 and that was the last that I saw of him. I’m really happy to get the win for Ducati Detroit on the Panigale R. They’ve been working very hard and gave me a bike capable of winning this race against top level teams and riders, which really speaks volumes about their program. I’m already looking forward to this race again next year!”
“We couldn’t be any happier with Taylor’s performance this year,” said team manager Kevin Callaway. ”He was at the top of the time sheets all weekend and rode a very smart race. His ability to communicate and work with our team to get the bike set up was first rate. We’d like to thank AHRMA for organizing such an incredible event as well as our sponsors. Without the support of our sponsors it would be very difficult to achieve the result that we did.”
“We encourage grassroots racing and particularly when it involves a great dealership like Ducati Detroit,” said Jason Chinnock, Chief Executive Officer of Ducati North America. “Their victory is proof that a production motorcycles put in the ride hands of a capable dealership, team and rider can deliver results in a competitive field. To see Ducati Detroit enter the Barber Cup Pro Challenge and have the team return with a win, is proof positive of Ducati’s racing DNA from our motorcycles to our dealer network.”
Ducati Detroit, an exclusive dealership located in Birmingham, Michigan, as an anchor for the Italian brand in the Midwestern region of the United States. They have been a top sales dealer and consistently delivered a premium experience for their customers in the Midwest since their inception 5 years ago. The showroom is located at 33828 Woodward Avenue in Birmingham and website can be viewed at www.ducatidetroit.com.