Competition Accessories

The Mortons \ Carole Nash International Classic Motorcycle Show, to be held in Staffordshire during 23 to 24 April 2011, will feature two Ducati motorcycles closely tied to racing legend and four-time World Champion Carl Fogarty. The two bikes will be offered for sale by the sole current owner, an obviously tasteful collector in Northern Ireland. The auction house of Bonhams will be handling the duties on the second day of what is becoming an important show for significant bikes to be handed over to well-heeled new owners or lucky museums with endowments.

Probably the more important of the two motorcycles is the 1993 Ducati 888 Corsa which took Fogarty to victory in the Superbike and main event at that year’s running of famed real-roads race the North West 200. That 888 was campaigned in the British Superbike Championship by a certain Michael Rutter during the ensuing season, his first full year in the series. This machine

was purchased in 2005 by the current steward and was completely rebuilt by Ducati Coventry specialist tech John Hackett; no doubt it is in perfect running condition. It is believed that the next owner will fork over between £26,000 – 30,000 (~US$42,000 – 48,500) for the honor of caring for the 888 from now onward.

Oddly enough, the 888 Corsa was with Fogarty at the 2009 Ulster Grand Prix where he actually rode the second bike in the auction, a 1998 916SPS Fogarty Replica. That bike was also the second model to ever to come off the production line and Ducati bequeathed it to its namesake at that time.

This item comes with two authentication tags, one of which states that the bike was given to Fogarty in recognition for what he did for Ducati – and he did plenty. It actually holds a special registration number -“S3 FOG” – which represents the fact that he won his third FIM World Superbike Championship in 1998. The 916SPS has an estimate of £21,000 – 25,000 (~US$33,900 – 40,300) for the lucky new owner.

The availability of these two motorcycles is likely to be a one-time chance for someone to make their own connection to the Foggy legend. It would be valuable to everyone to see or hear that 888 Corsa being ridden somewhere again, even if only on a few high-speed parade laps. After all, it is a thing of Italian design and beauty. However, so is that Tamburini-designed 916-based Fogarty Replica. The sexiest motorcycle in its utmost Superbike-spec state from the factory and once owned by the man who took it to a World Championship is not to be ignored by any fan of Italian marques or a dedicated Ductista.

For more information, head to www.bonhams.com/motorcycles.

Courtesy of AllAboutBikes.com