Among the many debuts that took place during Monterey Week was a motorcycle that Ducati North America unveiled, a 175hp, 362lb two-wheeled tribute to the historic “Martini Racing” Porsches of years past.
The one-of-a-kind Martini-Ducati was the idea of Ducati’s North American CEO and Public Relations Manager, both major fans of the Martini-Porsche competition cars of years past. The project began life as a 1098 S Superbike, and was outfitted with most of the Ducati Performance accessories catalog. Upon completion, it was decided the bike needed a special paint scheme to accent the significant modifications performed to make it the ultimate street/track weapon. With the bike to be shown at the Rolex Monterey Historic Automobile Races, held at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, Martini was a natural choice and the scheme was designed and painted right away. It has been embraced as the ultimate expression of a custom Ducati Superbike since its initial showing within the motorcycle industry.
Modifications to the Ducati 1098 S include: racing camshafts, race pistons and titanium connecting rods; all connected to a lightened crankshaft. Chassis modification includes magnesium wheels, a World Superbike racing-spec gearbox, 1/4 turn throttle for instant response, billet racing footpegs, Ohlins suspension, titanium exhaust with 70mm tubing and carbon mufflers, and numerous carbon fiber panels- all from Ducati’s own performance catalogue. As the project came together, several of Ducati’s friends and partners also took part in the celebration.
As a result of Shell’s dedication to motorsport throughout the decades in Formula One, the Le Mans Series and more recently in MotoGP and Superbike with Ducati Corse, Shell was proud to support the project.
The Martini Superbike was seen alongside a Martini Racing Porsche 908/3 at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca during the Monterey Historics in the Canepa Design pit area.
For more information, visit www.ducati.com.
[Source: Ducati USA; photo credit: Stephen Scharf]
