Ducati Monster Forum

I thought I had mentioned this to the group before, but I can't find any mention of it so I'll start a new thread.  

The Barber Vintage Festival (see below) is currently the largest vintage motorcycle gathering in the United States.  However, in 2011 it will also be the official Ducati.net National Ducati Rally and EVERYBODY with a Ducati is invited.  I've included Vicki Smith's description of the event, below, for your perusal, but I thought everybody in our group ought to know what's happening and should start planning NOW to make this happen.

I've already booked a room at the "official" hotel for Stuart and me, and we might be persuaded to split with someone else, too, if they've sold out when you call.....for enough money.    [evil]

From Vicki Smith, the Ducati event organizer....

Event date - Oct 6 (track day) 7/8/9, 2011 event weekend

Plans are rapidly forming for "Ducstock", the Ducati.net National Ducati Rally. It will take place during the huge Barbers Festival event weekend, and will contain at its core the do not miss Ducati TT1/TT2/F1 30th Anniversary celebration, which has outgrown its NY/NJ yearly location and
will for this year be open to all the Ducati lovers instead of by invitation only.

For those not familiar with the Barbers Festival, it's a huge 3 day weekend celebration of all things gearhead including AHRMA and vintage motocross races, a huge used parts swap meet area, vendors, a Bator auction, an air show, a number of bike shows, vintage fire trucks, vintage motocross races and of course, that incredible, literally best in the world, motorcycle museum. Add to that a big Ducati hotel, Ducati only camping, a Ducati only track day and a special area for the Ducati show and activities, with a great view of the track and lots of ultra rare Ducati's already committed to attend and display. In addition, because of the bonus of the first time ever back to back Barbers AHRMA and Biketoberfest Daytona AHRMA, groups are coming from Australia, New Zealand, the UK and more. So please pass the word. Any clubs that would like to be involved contact me directly. It's going to take a village to pull this off but it will be worth it.

This is the link to book the Hampton Inn, Colonnade in Birmingham, AL that will be the main Ducati Owners hotel for the Ducati.net national Ducati rally at Barbers Vintage 2011. It's close to full already, so if you plan to stay there, please book immediately.

There will be a special Ducati camping area as well, within the track, which will accommodate tents, trailers and motor homes, and will be in a premium area, not part of general camping. Information on how to book that area is not available yet.

All rooms are $99 plus tax, we have 100% of the rooms so it's the Ducati Dorm . Those that stayed at the main Indy DOC hotel can vouch for the special camaraderie this creates. There will be special Ducati parking at the entrance, space for trailers in the back, lots of restaurants within walking and the road out of the hotel is a lovely, tree covered ride down a pretty 2 lane road that goes straight to the Barbers gate (12 miles or so,about 15 minutes ride) The hotel is at the freeway entrance if that is your preference. A shuttle to shopping and the airport will be available as well.

Event dates: Track day is expected to be on Oct. 6th, event dates are Oct 7/8/9, 2011

Some details about the area: Barbers Motorsport Park is located in Leeds AL, which is in close proximity to some of the best riding roads in N. America.

2 hours from Atlanta International Airport, airfare and rental cars are remarkably reasonable (my trip to this year's event was $110 r/t on Delta and $120 for 5 days rental car)

To book the hotel:

1. Contact the Hampton Inn Colonnade directly 1-800-861-7168 referencing the group name "Ducati ".

2. Our Hotel website www.birminghamcolonnade.hamptoninn.com (http://) (http://) (http://)
<http://www.birminghamcolonnade.hamptoninn.com/> using the group code DUC.

3. Your personalized link for your group block listed below.

http://hamptoninn.hilton.com/en/hp/groups/personalized/B/BHMCOHX-DUC-20111004/index.jhtml?WT.mc_id=POG (http://hamptoninn.hilton.com/en/hp/groups/personalized/B/BHMCOHX-DUC-20111004/index.jhtml?WT.mc_id=POG)

Regarding the event: There will be a special area for clubs that wish to have a display area. If you just want to be involved, bless you, contact me directly J If you have a Ducati that you'd like to show off, you will never find a more appreciate audience, and there will be plenty of area to display it. Start/finish those restorations! If you would like to volunteer to help, display merchandise or act as a sponsor of this event please contact me directly.

That's it for now, more details as we have them..

Vicki

My goal is to have my beloved Cafe-Racer done by this event.  Seeing as it's going to be wearing the F1 cylinder heads, I feel it's a perfect place to debut it.  [thumbsup]

If I've got my SS project done by then and we can fit another bike in whatever vehicle we're taking...I'll take it for the track-day.  I don't believe I'll be risking the CR on a track, but I've done crazier stuff.

This will be an epic event of a gargantuon magnatude.  Think the 'original' 1969 Woodstock festival.  The (ill-fated) DRA back in '01.  The first World Ducati Week event in Italy.  The first Ducati Monster Challenge.  Big.  REALLY damned big actually.

I will be there.  I won't bring back T-shirts for the non-attendees.  You got to get yer own!  [evil]

Well, it's been a while since anyone discussed this, but I've posted a short story and a few pictures from my trip to the Barber Vintage Festival (and Ducstock, therein) at http://www.mh900e.org (http://www.mh900e.org)./

There's a link there to all of the pictures I took at the event at the bottom of the article.

Great article, Cloner. You can not only wrench, you can write.