From a press release issued by Ducati North America: Cupertino, CA (February 28th, 2008) – Ducati North America announces the arrival of the inaugural Ducati Island to Daytona Bike Week. From Wednesday, March 5 through Saturday, March 8, Ducati will transform the area beneath Daytona International Speedway’s Nextel Tower Grandstand into “Ducati Island” – featuring Ducati-only parking, hospitality, live TV feeds and the full range of 2008 Ducati models. Ducati Island will be the epicenter of Ducati for Daytona-bound Ducatisti. This year’s Daytona 200 marks the debut of the Ducati 848 Superbike in its first professional road race. Larry Pegram of Pegram Racing, the official Ducati supported racing team for the 2008 AMA Superbike Championship, will pilot the 848 in the AMA Formula Xtreme Class. To commemorate the occasion Pegram Racing will have one of their race 848’s on display at DDD, and team owner/rider Larry Pegram will be on hand to sign autographs and answer questions. On Friday, March 7 from 10am-5pm; the Island will host Ducati.net’s annual DucatiDayDaytona party (DDD). DDD 2008 will have numerous activities for fans to check out, such as the first round of the Ducati Superbike Concorso- a contest putting the top Ducati’s in the country against each other for a VIP trip to Italy; a Hypermotard stunt exhibition, Ducati show and shine and two performances of the ever popular Ducati Fashion Show. The Ducati Owners Clubs of the South East will also have a strong presence, coordinating Ducati University: a series of informative technical discussions revolving around the Ducati brand. Another special guest of the festivities will be Roland Sands, former AMA Champion and Custom Bike Builder. Roland will be attending DDD on Friday afternoon; where fans can see his ground-breaking, custom Hypermotard first-hand. Roland will be available at the event during the afternoon to answer questions, sign autographs and enjoy all that Ducati Day Daytona has to offer. Full details of the week’s events, including a complete schedule, can be found at www.ducatidaydaytona.com and www.ducatiusa.com.