Las Vegas and DRA2001

The trip towards Ducati Revs America 2001 (DRA2001) commenced early Wednesday 24 Oct morning at 0500 am. Via Frankfurt Germany and Los Angeles I’m heading for three exiting days at Las Vegas Int’l Speedway and DRA2001.

I was traveling for about 24 hours before I arrived at my final destination (about 4 pm local time). I started my trip home at 5 am, so I was quite tired when arriving Las Vegas. After a quick "brush up" at the hotel I was ready to have a closer look at Las Vegas. I have seen programs about Las Vegas on the TV, and everything I had imagined about Las Vegas was true (more or less). I’ve heard that Las Vegas is never sleeping and that is also true. I stayed at a Hotel and Casino downtown, and when got up early the next morning (at about 6.30 am) there was full activity down in the Casino. I had the first "day off" - the DRA event opened on Friday. I rented a car and took a ride to the Hoover Dam. The Dam was amazing (about 1 hour drive from Las Vegas).

I don’t know if I should conclude now. What amazed me most? either the DRA event or Las Vegas itself. The "problem" with me is that I am always demanding more. I’ve been at the Ducati factory twice, I was at the WDW2000 and I’m Ducati fan of my heart. I’ve sold my street bike (a 748 Biposto) and got a new 2001 mod 748R for racing only. When I’m traveling half way around the world to join a Ducati event, I’m expecting to learn more. And that is exactly the problem. Events like DRA and WDW are probably for the masses (and it should be). I stayed only one day at the DRA event (or 5 hours to be honest) before returning to Las Vegas. Events like this does not (my opinion) challenge enough the "experienced" Ducati rider/owner. I will probably join WDW2002, it’s only 4 hours flight from Scandinavia. Last time (WDW2000) we spend three days driving through Europe (altogether 5000 km back and forth on a 748 Biposto). I’ve done the WDW2000 by bike and the DRA2001 by plane, and that’s it - I’ve done it.

The next thing to prove is that my new 748R will give me some really enjoyable moments on the racetrack (my short experience so far tells me it will do..).

The picture above is from the stage. The music was really good. I don’t remember the name of the group; it was probably a local one.

I should not try to compare WDW2000 and DRA2001, but I’m doing it anyway. The WDW event is taking place in Italy, close to Bologna and the Ducati Factory. The WDW2000 gathered Ducati enthusiast from the whole world, and as far as I know there were about 15,000 - 18,000 bikes at the Misano Racetrack when WDW2000 took place. I don’t know the exact figures for DRA2001, but I don’t think the figures were close to WDW2000. Another big difference was that all the WSB pilots had official training at WDW (the next WSB race in 2000 was due the week after WDW at Misano Racetrack). The DRA event was more like a local event, and it took me about 5-6 hours to experience it before returning to Las Vegas (I planned doing all three days but ..). To put it another way, I did not see anything really new at the show.

But Las Vegas and DRA2001 "together" was absolutely worth going there.

The picture above is a 955 racer. I think it was the bike was originally a 916 which was rebuild to a 955 racer. I have not ridden a 955 racer, but I believe the bike kicks as a horse.

The picture above shows a 996R, first time I have ever seen one. When you look at the fairing it is only one thing which separates the 996R from the masses - its is the ventilation holes in the fairing. The engine is of course based upon the Testatretta (“narrow head”) engine). Apart from the fairing (and the engine) it’s difficult to spot the difference between this and the older ones.

Below are the rest of the pictures I took. Click on the picture to get a bigger one (800x600). Use the "back" butoon on your browser to return to the page.