Italy’s Ducati is gearing up to set the racing circuit on fire. The world’s largest producer of racing bikes is planning to bring motorsports to India and has started preparations to get the MotoGP motorcycling championship here.
Ducati Motor Holding CEO Gabriele Del Torchio told ET, “I have asked MotoGP CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta to bring the Grand Prix event to India. If this event can happen in Qatar, China, Malaysia and Australia, I think India also has a great chance with vast improvements in infrastructure and the F1 circuit plans firming up. If all goes well, we shall have a full-fledged motorcycle racing season in India soon.”
Ducati, a relatively-small company compared to Honda, Yamaha and KTM, has won 14 of the last 17 World Superbikes Championship titles and has picked up the maximum number of trophies in all global competitions. It won both the top Constructors’ and Riders’ world titles in MotoGP 2007. The Italian bike company is also one of the largest sponsors of motor racing championships and is eyeing a long-term potential in India. “With the technology to produce the world’s fastest bikes, we see a great potential for superbikes in India,” Mr Torchio said.
Ducati, whose bikes are priced between Rs 15 lakh and Rs 50 lakh, is looking at developing a market for its products. A Delhi-based infrastructure company, JP Associates has announced plans to develop a permanent Rs 1,500-crore F1 race track in Greater Noida, which can used for bike racing as well. These events generate huge funds though sponsorships, ticket sales, endorsements and media rights, similar to the cricket extravaganza IPL.
To move the proposal with the Indian government, Ducati’s Indian partner, Precision Motor India is working with the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers. Its CEO Ashish Chordia said, “We want to promote motorsports in India and cultivate the sporting culture. To organise the MotoGP championship in India, we just need an F1 track. We have sought the help of all auto makers and SIAM to move the matter faster and get the infrastructure in place.”
Ducati, which sold 40,000 bikes worldwide in 71 countries through a network of 800 dealers, will initially sell through two exclusive showrooms in Mumbai and Delhi. Early next year, three more exclusive showrooms will be added in Hyderabad, Bangalore and Chennai. Ducati superbikes with engine capacity between 700 cc and 1,100 cc generate an output of 90-180 horsepower and meet the Euro III emission norms. The company will import 50 bikes this year and likely to scale up if the response is good.
Ducati Motor Holding CEO Gabriele Del Torchio told ET, “I have asked MotoGP CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta to bring the Grand Prix event to India. If this event can happen in Qatar, China, Malaysia and Australia, I think India also has a great chance with vast improvements in infrastructure and the F1 circuit plans firming up. If all goes well, we shall have a full-fledged motorcycle racing season in India soon.”
Ducati, a relatively-small company compared to Honda, Yamaha and KTM, has won 14 of the last 17 World Superbikes Championship titles and has picked up the maximum number of trophies in all global competitions. It won both the top Constructors’ and Riders’ world titles in MotoGP 2007. The Italian bike company is also one of the largest sponsors of motor racing championships and is eyeing a long-term potential in India. “With the technology to produce the world’s fastest bikes, we see a great potential for superbikes in India,” Mr Torchio said.
Ducati, whose bikes are priced between Rs 15 lakh and Rs 50 lakh, is looking at developing a market for its products. A Delhi-based infrastructure company, JP Associates has announced plans to develop a permanent Rs 1,500-crore F1 race track in Greater Noida, which can used for bike racing as well. These events generate huge funds though sponsorships, ticket sales, endorsements and media rights, similar to the cricket extravaganza IPL.
To move the proposal with the Indian government, Ducati’s Indian partner, Precision Motor India is working with the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers. Its CEO Ashish Chordia said, “We want to promote motorsports in India and cultivate the sporting culture. To organise the MotoGP championship in India, we just need an F1 track. We have sought the help of all auto makers and SIAM to move the matter faster and get the infrastructure in place.”
Ducati, which sold 40,000 bikes worldwide in 71 countries through a network of 800 dealers, will initially sell through two exclusive showrooms in Mumbai and Delhi. Early next year, three more exclusive showrooms will be added in Hyderabad, Bangalore and Chennai. Ducati superbikes with engine capacity between 700 cc and 1,100 cc generate an output of 90-180 horsepower and meet the Euro III emission norms. The company will import 50 bikes this year and likely to scale up if the response is good.
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