The Championship
The DesmoDue Championship is a one-make motorcycle racing series based in the United Kingdom. The series is currently run at New Era MCC events throughout the UK and administered by the Ducati Sporting Club.
The motorcycles must be based on an air-cooled 2-valve Ducati twin-cylinder engine produced since 1992. The machines are allowed limited modifications. Most modifications are for safety reasons only. The control tyre, a Pirelli Diablo is used in all weather conditions. There are two capacity classes within the championship;
- Class A - 618cc fuel injection based machines
- Class B - 583cc carburettor based machines
Riders must hold an ACU racing licence, and be either a Clubman or Novice licence holder unless special dispensation is given by the race committee.
History
The series began in 2005 after the mechanical rules had been set in late 2004 by the well known Neil Spalding of Sigma. This new innovative series consisted of 11 races at circuits including, Cadwell Park, Castle Combe, Snetterton, Donington Park and Brands Hatch. 41 riders took part and the inaugural series was won by Geoff Spencer who dominated the class, taking 8 race victories.
In 2006 the series featured two machine classes and almost 50 riders. The circuit line-up was also expanded to include Oulton Park and the TT circuit of Assen in the Netherlands. The Dutch round of the series was hosted by the Ducati Club Nederland at their famous Club Races.
Phil Huntley won the 583cc class, with 9 victories from 12 races, whilst Dominic Cann sealed the 620cc class taking 8 victories on the od2racing 620 monster prepared by Chass Dudley. The final round took place at Cadwell Park on 8th October. Phil Huntley was riding his 620cc for the first time and secured Pole Position. Dominic Cann started beside Phil on the grid and won both races.
2007 has just drawn to a close and two new champions were crowned at Cadwell Park on 7th October. Kyle Hinton smashed virtually all records during his title winning season riding for Alan & Charlotte Knight of the Knight RR Team, taking 11 victories from 13 starts, winning the last 7 races in a row and setting 5 new class lap records on the 620 Monster. The 583cc championship was wrapped up by Andy Sheppard who won 6 races, took 11 podiums and 5 Pole Positions.
Series sponsors include Ducati UK & Pirelli tyres.
Geoff Spencer remains the most successful rider in the series' history with 12 wins, 19 podiums and 8 pole positions. Kyle Hinton is second with 11 wins, 19 podiums and 4 pole positions (However had the 2007 race at Assen been a championship round as per 2006, then Hinton would have then equalled Spencer by taking 12 Wins and in doing that also added another pole and podium spot to his tally). Phil Huntley is third overall with 9 wins, 14 podiums and 4 pole positions, whilst Dominic Cann is fourth in the all time rankings with 8 wins, 26 podiums and 4 pole positions.
