MONSTER CHALLENGE MOBS THROUGH SAN JOSE Cupertino, CA The fourth round of the Monster Challenge concluded this weekend at the new Cycle World IMS venue in San Jose, California. The group of Monsters assembled for this show was the baddest yet, fitting since San Francisco is one of Ducati’s biggest markets. The quality of the San Jose bikes made choosing a winner tough. According to Challenge judge and Moto Euro editor, Mario Korf, “It’s cool to see how much people can change up a Monster. But you have to start with the performance of the machine because it’s a Ducati and it has to go around corners!” he added. “Many of these bikes are daily riders, and that also sits well with me. They all did a super job.” Sean Kelii of Sacramento, CA finished with the top honors. His bike used to be a 1999 Monster Chromo but is now one of the baddest beasts on the street. After a bad accident, Sean rebuilt the bike focusing on track performance. With liberal use of carbon fiber, Kelii’s bike now weighs less than 350 pounds. Add to that the 944 big bore kit and Superbike front end and you’ve got a vicious track day weapon. Sean was a winner at last years Seattle show and moved to the Sacramento area six months ago. “My bike attended Weight Watchers,” Kelii said. “I put it on a serious diet and got it down to about 350 pounds. With the major suspension and motor work I’ve done, it rules at track days, which is where I am off to tomorrow! That’s why it’s got the slicks on.” Two-time World Superbike Champion Doug Polen helped judge the competition and said, “Man, there are some neat machines here. They are all good, but the winner is just an amazing bike and everything on it is perfect and ready for the track. I’d love to take that one out put some laps on it.” Second place was Rory Murphy from San Rafael, CA. His 1997 Monster 900 was modified to look like a 1973 Sport, complete with Conti replica pipes, wire wheels and the retro Sport paint job. “The paint scheme of the ’73 Sport has always been one of my favorites,” said Murphy. “So I used that scheme and coupled it with many engine and suspension upgrades, giving it the performance of a modern bike and the appearance of a classic,” he added. Steve Metz from San Francisco, CA brought home the 3rd spot and was easily the favorite among the show patrons with his infamous Tiger bike, “El Tigre.” Even though his bike is visually dramatic, it also has performance to back it up. A contestant last year, Steve added a single sided swingarm as well as suspension and engine upgrades for the 2006 Monster Challenge. “I worked very hard this year to eliminate most of the silver frame coloring, painting it orange to go with the Tiger theme,” said Metz. “I think the tiger tail is my favorite feature on the bike, as it really stands out and people remember it. The bike is cartoon-like and surreal, but it is a very solid runner, as well.” The fifth round of the Ducati Monster Challenge will take place January 13-15 at the Washington Convention Center in Washington, DC. From there, The Challenge moves to New York City, Chicago, Atlanta and Montreal. For more details, please visit www.ducatiusa.com. We have limited high resolution photos of this event. If you need something, please email me since the ducatiusa.com photogallery site is currently down. Founded in 1926, Ducati builds racing-inspired motorcycles characterized by unique engine features, innovative design, advanced engineering and overall technical excellence. The Company produces motorcycles in six market segments which vary in their technical and design features and intended customers: Superbike, Supersport, Monster, Sport Touring, Multistrada and the new SportClassic. The Company’s motorcycles are sold in more than 60 countries worldwide, with a primary focus in the Western European, Japan and North American markets. Ducati has won thirteen of the last fifteen World Superbike Championship titles and more individual victories than the competition put together. For more information about the Company, please visit our web site at www.ducatiusa.com.