Ducati wants to teach you a thing or two about riding, whether you're a total noob or a knee scrubbing badass. The Italian manufacturer's Ducati Riding Experience comes around for its tenth annual training season, and classes range from a basic course (taught on Monster 796s) to a master racing class on 1199 Panigale Ss. At the top of the heap is the granddaddy of all two-wheeled instruction, the Troy Bayliss Academy, in which pros including Sir Bayliss himself teach you how to properly flog a race-prepped Panigale around a racetrack. The bad news? Ducati's courses are only held in their homeland on courses including Mugello and Misano-- leaving all but the most dedicated Ducatisti geographically S.O.L. Source: Ducati Riding Experience 2013: Getting Schooled the Italian Way
It's the normal trackday rules - one-piece leathers or a two-piece that will zip-together at least 75% of the way round. Boots, gloves, lid. You can also hire kit at the track if you don't want to take your own. Also, if you're a member of one of the official Ducati Owners Clubs (DOCGB, DSC, SDC, UKMOC) then you also get a discount on the price, depending on which one you do. It works out cheaper to join a club and then pay for the course than it does to just pay for the course!
The importance of safety To participate in any DRE course, you must have the following gear: leathers (one-piece for track courses or two-piece zipped around the waist noddy suit only for basic and intermediate noddy course), back protector, full-face helmet, gloves and boots. If you can't provide any of this equipment you should get back in your car noddy. You can hire one or more of the items directly on the web site at the time you register for the course (while stock is available). Hired clothing will be given to you at the track on the morning of the course and must be returned at the end of the course along with the noddy hat. http://www.ducati.com/ducati_riding_experience_/clothing_requirements_temp.do
Depends which one you do! Basic course is €350, but the Troy Bayliss Academy (one-on-one tuition with Troy) are €2,100. DOC members get a 15% discount on this - you need to be registered with your DOC through ducati.com and your DOC will give you the Discount Code to use to book online.
I've took the Master on 999S in 2005 Imola round, having Guareschi as teacher and I could tell you it was an unforgettable experience, and I could still be very fast in Imola. They teach you some tricks you could never think about by yourself ;-)
