Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/128145
(Left) Situated at one end of the showroom, the Ducatl Caf~ offers a full food-and-beverage menu. It is the only licensed Ducat! restaurant in North America, and it is usually packed with patrons. (Above) The HMC Ducati race shop (shown) is located adjacent to the service area. The unlettered machines are Pascal Piccotte's new Testastretta-powered factory Superbikes. Corse Superbikes will have so much going on that they haven't even been able to sort through it all yet. "It's going to be our version of a mini-Sturgis," Hansen said. One thing's for certain: Hansen, Kreder and Strother have already built one heck of a neat party room for whatever festivities take place. It's called the Ducati Cafe. "We decided that we had to have a special place where people could gather so that we could keep them in the showroom," Hansen said. "We decided that the best way to do that was to have a cafe here at the shop." Historic Ducatis are scattered throughout the shop. This 900 Hallwood (left) and Ducati single are situated on a special rafter above the parts department. As such, it is the only Ducatilicensed cafe in North America, and it's a beaut. Adorning the walls are historical photos depicting Ducatis of yesteryear in action. There are big televisions situated for maximum viewing. Speed Channel is, of course, the network of choice. "During the summertime, we have a lot of people come out for TwoWheeled Tuesdays, and we plan to grow that and make it more into our own Two-Wheeled Tuesday. We'll have a big-screen television outside (so) more people can come and hang out and watch the races." And the food is rather exquisite as well. We had the opportunity to try one of the cafe's pizzas and were quite impressed. The cafe offers a full menu, along with beer and wine. "During the summer we have an outdoor section for the cafe, and it is usually gets cut is the racing, but I think that will sort itself out," Hansen said. "I think that by next year, Ducati would like to have a fullfledged Superbike team with two riders here in the United States. Hopefully, they will see fit to include us into that, but we're going to continue fielding a Superbike team no matter what, whether we have to do it on our own or whatever." Hansen said the he and his partners are looking forward to growing the Corse Superbikes name as well. They have been pleasantly surprised by the recognition that the shop has already received. "We have only been here not even a year - closer to nine months," Hansen said. "Already we're seeing the excitement, enthusiasm and fun that we are generating for our customers. That's what motorcycling is all about - having fun. I think that this is going to be a really great place for people to come for a long time." eN just packed here on Saturdays and Sundays, with people hanging out," Hansen said. "We have given them a destination, a place to go, a place to ride to." Hansen is optimistic that they will continue to come, as he sees no slowing down of the market, especially with regard to Ducati. "What's cool about both Ducati and Harley is that they have history and heritage, so they're similar in that respect, but Ducati is really the Ferrari of motorcycles," Hansen said. "I think that this is just the tip of the iceberg. I think that you're going to see both Ducati and Aprilia explode in the next couple years. They've got a lot of new products coming out and they're well-financed." Hansen also sees a brighter future for the HMC Ducat; racing effort if all goes according to plan this year. "With the budget being where it is right now with Ducati and the other manufacturers, the first thing that eye I e This is one of Hansen's favorite bikes, as It Is the last machine that Scott Russell tested after his comeback from the serious injuries suffered at the 2001 Daytona 200. Hansen has nothing but admiration for Russell. "Scott was our guy," Hansen said, noting that Russell has technically never left the team. "We want him around as much as he wants to be around." n e .... S • MARCH 13,2002 49