SUPERSHOW Was There

Canadian Motorcycle Heritage Museum
at the Ducati Owners Club of Canada Mosport Rally

Featuring bikes from the SUPERSHOW Collection, the first of the summer's outdoor events for the Museum's Traveling Roadshow took place at the World Famous Mosport International Raceway, 45 minutes North-east of Toronto May 27 thru 31.

Bar Hodgson and Mike Ceccini, the Bimota's previous owner
'Bar and the Bimota's previous owner Mike Ceccini'

The annual 3-day Ducati Owners Club of Canada Rally is a fun, club atmosphere event during which riders can participate in non-competitive lapping around this World-Class track. (Saturday and Sunday track-riding are strictly for 'European based' machines while Monday is an 'open' day for all brands) This long running Rally is the highlight of the DOCC's yearly riding schedule, attracting club members and enthusiasts from all across North America. This year the weekend weather was perfect, resulting in a great turnout of riders and their exotic machines. The DOCC consistently runs one of Canada's best & safest organized track rallies.

The Canadian Motorcycle Heritage Museum with the help of SUPERSHOW producer Bar Hodgson and bikes from his SUPERSHOW Collection has been an enthusiastic supporter of this event for many years. This year was no exception. The Museum Roadshow display including several from Museum supporters consisted of a total of 13 machines; 6 Italian, 5 Japanese, 1 American and 1 German.

Museum bikes on display in the Paddock
'The line up of Museum machines in the paddock'

The bikes on display and/or ridden on the track were:

  • 1984 Ducati TT2 Factory race bike. This bike was ridden in Europe by former World Superbike Champion Stephen Mertin. Weighing only 278lbs (dry) and producing in the neighbourhood of 90hp, this bike was class-leading at it's time. The Museum used the Rally to sort out the bike into race-ready condition. It was also the Showcase feature bike in the May 2005 edition of Cycle Canada magazine.
  • 1996 Ducati 955 SPA. One of only 50 produced by the factory race shop to meet AMA homologation rules. Loaded with extras and lightened significantly by owner and regular rider, SUPERSHOW producer Bar Hodgson.
  • 1993 Ducati 888 SPO. A rare Sport Production model in 'track day' trim
  • 1989 Suzuki GSXR750R. This full World Superbike spec. machine was originally built and tuned by noted race bike specialists Alex Mayes and Mike Crompton. It was raced briefly by former Canadian pro Jon Cornwell in the Canadian series in 1989 including the World Superbike round at Mosport. Recently restored by SUPERSHOW Racing, it was being tested and sorted out prior to being raced once again at this years VRRA Mosport festival. SUPERSHOW staff member Ken Livingstone, and noted Motorcycle Journalist Steve Bond will both be competing on the bike at that event.
  • 1995 Honda RS250 Grand Prix bike. This bike was last raced by Canadian 250 GP Champion Stuart Nodell, and tuned by Canadian GP guru Ben Gartner. A nice clean example of Honda's 'customer' 250cc racebikes.
  • 1977 Harley-Davidson XLCR 1000 'Café Racer'. This rare, low mileage (3,500!) all original condition example of Willy G. Davidson's styling exercise of the late '70's is a real stunner. The distinctive all black bodywork, engine and exhaust gave these bikes a mean, muscle-bike look.
  • 1971 Honda 50 Mini Trail. This '100 point', restored mini-bike is a great example of the legendary Honda 50 series. It was recently acquired from local Canadian Vintage Motorcycle Group member Ron Stupart, who did the complete restoration.
  • 1981 Kawasaki KZ1000 Vintage Superbike. This active, race winning Superbike replica is owned by Museum supporter Bob Beal of Toronto and ridden in endurance races by Bob and SUPERSHOW staff members Ken Livingstone and Peter Derry.
  • 1999 BMW R1000S Special. This highly modified bike was built by noted Special builder Cliff Randal, who then auctioned off for charity, the annual Veterans Honour Ride in Toronto. Present owner Robert Caldwell is a dedicated supporter of the Museum.
  • 1986 Ducati Laguna Seca. One of three limited edition 750 F-1 based Special editions, (the others being the Santa Monica and the Montjuich) this gorgeous bike is a joy to ride with an exhaust note that is V-twin perfection.
  • 2002 Ducati 998 Testastretta. With the latest version of the liquid-cooled Superbike engine clothed in the beautiful '916'style bodywork, these are fast becoming the collectable bike for 'Ducatista'.
  • 1980 Suzuki GS1000 Vintage Superbike. SUPERSHOW staff member Peter Derry's new vintage race bike. Peter used this event to 'shake-down' his recently finished Superbike before the season's first Vintage races.
  • Bimota SB3 One of the early Bimota 'kits' utilizing a Suzuki GS1000 engine and accessories in the Italian specialist package. The frame is assembled around the engine and uses aircraft style 'conical' joints to connect the front and rear halves. It also has a 'perimeter' swingarm, which pivots exactly at the transmission sprocket axis, eliminating the need for chain slack and geometry changes that go along with that. This stunning bike was just acquired from DOCC member Mike Cecchini

Ducati Specialist Guy Martin, working on the TT2 and drawing a crowd
'Noted Ducati Specialist Guy Martin helps sort out the TT2 in the Museum pit while an interested crowd watches the master at work'.

The weekend went very well, with lots of interest and appreciation shown in the collection of machines. Friends and associates of SUPERSHOW and the Museum who were attending the event were also invited to join in the display/pit area as well.

If you missed this great event, you should mark your calendar now for next year. Check the DOCC website (www.docc.com) for dates, and be sure to come visit them at the 2006 SUPERSHOW (the 30th Anniversary!) and 2006 Spring Motorcycle Show where they always set up a wonderful display of stunning Italian motorcycles.



SUPERSHOW 2006
The Summer Road Show tour is sponsored by SUPERSHOW 2006





SUPERSHOW Was There - Past Roadshow appearances - MAIN








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