Cupertino, Calif. Ducati North America is excited for the beginning of the 2010 US racing season, with a record eight privateer Ducati teams entering the Daytona Superbike and Daytona 200 races. As one of the most storied and famous names in motorcycle racing, Ducati lives and breathes the sport. This is something reflected in the DNA of its road-going performance models. Defined by the motto “Engineered by the stopwatch, designed by the racetrack,” Ducati’s Superbike range represents the ideal platform from which to build a professional racing contender. This year, no fewer than eight privateer teams have done exactly that- with three representing Ducati in the flagship Superbike class aboard the 1198R, and another six entered in the grueling Daytona 200 aboard the middleweight 848. Ducatisti worldwide will have all eyes on the Bolognese machines, cheering them on from start to finish for their efforts in dominating the most anticipated race of the year. Ducati is proud to announce the return of Larry Pegram -winner of three AMA Superbike Races in 2009- who is aboard his 1198R Superbike for its second full season of AMA competition. He will surely be a force to be reckoned with in the Superbike class. On the grid with Pegram in Daytona will be Floridian Barrett Long of Longetivity Racing, and Shawn Higbee aboard a Moto Forza- backed bike. The Ducati 848 will make its Daytona 200 debut en masse, with eight bikes entered into the Sportbike class. This represents the strongest Ducati field in years, and there will no doubt be a race to the finish for these middleweight champions. Running the full 2010 season will be Motocorsa-backed Latus Motors rider Steve Rapp- a rider with previous Ducati knowledge- and the two Crozier Roberson Motorsports bikes of Mark Crozier and Bobby Fong. They will be sharing the Daytona grid with Jake Holden, Barrett Long and Calvin Martinez. Daytona is seen in Europe as one of the world’s most exotic and appealing races, the mystique of which has drawn Andrea Padovani and Dario Marchetti of Italy over to compete. For those who would like to see the brand new 848 Dark and 1198R road bikes; the 2010 Ducati lineup will be on display at Ducati Motorcycles of Daytona throughout the week. Many of these models will be making their US debuts. The famous Ducati Caffe will be there, and all are welcome to come by for an espresso and to enjoy the Ducati lifestyle displays. For more information about Ducati’s line of racing inspired motorcycles, please visit www.ducatiusa.com. And now, some reader reaction… FIRST PERSON/OPINION Via e-mail: The February 26, 2010 press release from Ducati North America article mentions that the Ducati 848 will make its debut with the eight bikes entered in this year’s Daytona 200 race. Actually Gene Burcham had that honor in last year’s race with a Ducati 848 race tuned and prepped by Ducati Indianapolis. It was the only Ducati and was pictured in the Speed pre-race feature as one of the brands in the race. Gene started as the last qualifier, but finished the race in 47th place. It’s really great that there are 8 Ducati 848s in this year’s race. Bill Carr, Owner Ducati Indianapolis Indianapolis, Indiana