Gordon
New member
Well I was lucky enough to get the chance to do a Moto X2 ride with Randy Mamola on Saturday at Donington. Spent the day with Ducati, enjoyed the hospitality, spotted a few stars (Piedro was one of them) and then the man introduced himself for a briefing (Randy not Piedro).
Went something like this...
I want you to enjoy this and show you what the 990 2006 GP bike can really do. (Then he went through sitting on the bike (perching more like), the lap, what to expect etc...
After the briefing the moment arrived. Walked out onto the centre of the straight at around 12:15, dressed in a Stoner (Stauner suit), matching boots, the works.
I felt a little conspicuous standing in the middle of the start/finish straight with all the gear, a 2006 GP Ducati, Randy Mamola and the fences lined with spectators, but hey it was a once in a lifetime so I did what anyone would do - ENJOYED EVERY MOMENT!
Randy does 2 laps on the bike by himself just to ensure that everything was good to go, then the big moment. I tentatively hopped on (well wobbled on) onto the back of the GP6 and got ready to head for Redgate.
This bike is the real deal, I have a Desmosedici but let me tell you this sounds more mean, more purposeful, more aaaaaaarghhhh. They have it running at 225bhp, could go to 250bhp but for engine longevity keep it "detuned" slightly. No traction control on this fantastic machine, just Mr Mamolas wrist (I refuse to say Randys wrist).
Anyway we are off, wheelie immediately down the straight towards Redgate and tip it in hard, jesus this is awesome I am thinking as we apex and he then opens the throttle full tap.
Now he had told me earlier that the idea was so get the back spinning as we headed to Craner so as we enter the first right part of Craner it gets the front to move more to the right and sets us up perfectly for the next left part of Craner. True to his word as he tips it in the rear starts spinning and then through the left before I can think. Fortunately I had been on Donington for the Desmo day at the end of June so I remembered the layout of the track. Just wished I had remembered to bring my breathing apparatus!
Then throttle on round the Old Hairpin and the rear is sliding as he gasses it towards Starkeys.
Trying to remember to breathe at this point as we head up Schwantz Curve at full throttle when we brake before taking McLeans with the rear spinning and sliding.
Coppice comes next and up the slight hill to Coppice the rear is spinning constantly and then "bang" the bike is over and we are taking the double apex right hander onto the straight.
Wheelie halfway along the straight and suddenly we are braking for the Foggarty Esses, well I say braking but I was actually out of the seat, the back tyre was squirming all over the place - AWESOME!
Through the chicane and upto Melbourne at full chat, my brain needing recalibrated. Again braking that beggars belief, front end moving around and sliding as we tip in and I know we only have Goddards to go.
A blast upto Goddards and we tip into the left hander, blast onto the straight where he wheelies up the straight and then does a stoppie at the end of my ride.
First thoughts when I got off - HOW DO I DO IT AGAIN.
It was the most awesome experience and relaying it here just does not do it justice. Amazing.
Got to keep the helmet, signed of course, its still got the flies on it!
What a day and if you ever get the chance to have a lap with Randy - all I can say is DO IT!
Went something like this...
I want you to enjoy this and show you what the 990 2006 GP bike can really do. (Then he went through sitting on the bike (perching more like), the lap, what to expect etc...
After the briefing the moment arrived. Walked out onto the centre of the straight at around 12:15, dressed in a Stoner (Stauner suit), matching boots, the works.
I felt a little conspicuous standing in the middle of the start/finish straight with all the gear, a 2006 GP Ducati, Randy Mamola and the fences lined with spectators, but hey it was a once in a lifetime so I did what anyone would do - ENJOYED EVERY MOMENT!
Randy does 2 laps on the bike by himself just to ensure that everything was good to go, then the big moment. I tentatively hopped on (well wobbled on) onto the back of the GP6 and got ready to head for Redgate.
This bike is the real deal, I have a Desmosedici but let me tell you this sounds more mean, more purposeful, more aaaaaaarghhhh. They have it running at 225bhp, could go to 250bhp but for engine longevity keep it "detuned" slightly. No traction control on this fantastic machine, just Mr Mamolas wrist (I refuse to say Randys wrist).
Anyway we are off, wheelie immediately down the straight towards Redgate and tip it in hard, jesus this is awesome I am thinking as we apex and he then opens the throttle full tap.
Now he had told me earlier that the idea was so get the back spinning as we headed to Craner so as we enter the first right part of Craner it gets the front to move more to the right and sets us up perfectly for the next left part of Craner. True to his word as he tips it in the rear starts spinning and then through the left before I can think. Fortunately I had been on Donington for the Desmo day at the end of June so I remembered the layout of the track. Just wished I had remembered to bring my breathing apparatus!
Then throttle on round the Old Hairpin and the rear is sliding as he gasses it towards Starkeys.
Trying to remember to breathe at this point as we head up Schwantz Curve at full throttle when we brake before taking McLeans with the rear spinning and sliding.
Coppice comes next and up the slight hill to Coppice the rear is spinning constantly and then "bang" the bike is over and we are taking the double apex right hander onto the straight.
Wheelie halfway along the straight and suddenly we are braking for the Foggarty Esses, well I say braking but I was actually out of the seat, the back tyre was squirming all over the place - AWESOME!
Through the chicane and upto Melbourne at full chat, my brain needing recalibrated. Again braking that beggars belief, front end moving around and sliding as we tip in and I know we only have Goddards to go.
A blast upto Goddards and we tip into the left hander, blast onto the straight where he wheelies up the straight and then does a stoppie at the end of my ride.
First thoughts when I got off - HOW DO I DO IT AGAIN.
It was the most awesome experience and relaying it here just does not do it justice. Amazing.
Got to keep the helmet, signed of course, its still got the flies on it!
What a day and if you ever get the chance to have a lap with Randy - all I can say is DO IT!
