Nicky Hayden
Photos: Ducati welcomes Nicky Hayden >>
California racing enthusiasts recently had a chance to welcome Ducati's newly signed MotoGP rider Nicky Hayden at the freshly redesigned Southern California Ducati dealership in Brea, California. The party was hosted by Ducati North America CEO Michael Lock, who said, "We are thrilled to have an American rider on the Ducati Marlboro MotoGP Team and look forward to giving him a proper U.S. welcome to the Ducati family."
After a press introduction, doors opened and Hayden fans lined up—in light rain—for autographs. Everyone was very appreciative and wished Nicky the best of luck regaining the coveted Grand Prix title. "Nicky is a real hero! I haven't seen a GP rider so close to his fans since Freddie Spencer," said shop owner Tom Hicks, ecstatic when Hayden put in some OT, working longer then obligated.
"I get a lot support from the fans stateside, so it was nice to see so many people, especially Ducati riders, come out. Maybe it was for the open bar, but it was still nice. Now it's time to just go get on it and gas it up, so I make sure we can do it again next year!" said Hayden.
The night's activities included a silent charity auction of a custom artpiece painted by Roland Sands, a Ducati helmet from Troy Lee, Oakley sunglasses, a Casey Stoner-signed replica helmet, a Lavazza espresso machine, plus a limited-edition Hayden Tissot watch. All proceeds went to benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
When we left SoCal Ducati, the music was pumping, fueling a high-energy Ducati fashion show. The shindig was quite a success. Go get 'em, Nicky!!!
—Mark Cernicky
Photos: Ducati welcomes Nicky Hayden >>
Passion in life is a great thing. In the vintage-bike world, passion usually runs pretty deep, but one of the most enthusiastic and knowledgeable old-bike lovers I know is Paul d'Orleans. He's a globe-trotting, bike-researching, book-reading and vintage-bike trading maniac with an awesome blog page (www.thevintagent.blogspot.com).
Paul (shown on a Velocette KTT) was a multiple offender on our Infineon Raceway (nee Sears Point) Rolling Concours event, always "rolling" out something racy and exotic and, best of all, really old, like his 1928 Sunbeam TT90 racer that won Best Vintage. But he shows up just about anywhere there is motorcycle stuff going on, from auctions to the Legend of the Motorcycle Concours to the annual Velocette Club rally.
The fundamental motto in all his vintage-bike dealings is "Ride them as the maker intended," which is noble, indeed. It is easy to get lost on his blog site, with entries that range from the clothes old-time riders wore to racing histories to tire technology to modern electric "motor" cycles. Totally worth checking out, but don't forget to come back to cycleworld.com!
—Mark Hoyer
