Track Day Gatecrasher & Other Ducati Shenanigans

It was a long weekend, but one of my best.

Saturday, I made my way to Whangamōmona for Republic Day, then after a couple of hours, rode through to Taumarunui on the Forgotten Highway, then on to Tūrangi for the night.

Sunday morning, I rode to Taupō for the Ducati track day. Even though I knew it was booked out, I decided to bring my race suit and back protector just in case there was a chance of getting out on track.

Because the riders’ briefing had just finished when I got there, and everyone was getting ready to go out for the first session, I decided to check out the bikes.

Cyclespot Ducati Trackday 📸Aaron Staples

I came across Corinne and Martin from the Taranaki Ducati Club. Martin had his leg in plaster and suggested I take his place on track. We went to the sign-in office and asked to talk to Grant to see whether he would allow me to take Martin's place.

I was just so blown away by how amazing and helpful everyone was. Grant was keen to get me out, so after a late sign-in alongside Troy Bayliss and a one-on-one rider briefing, it was all go.

Wow! I've done a lot of track days before, but nothing like this one. Grant and everyone else involved need to give themselves a pat on the back. On-track behaviour was outstanding, with a wide range of skills. There were no problems due to everyone doing their own thing and giving loads of passing room, and the California Riding School guys checking out riders and helping them if necessary.

Grant Woolford & Troy Bayliss 📸Aaron Staples

Troy Bayliss is a cool laid-back dude, keen to meet and chat with everyone. We had a good yarn about the new Panigale V4, as I've been having a good look at them, thinking I like the changes. Troy said it's the easiest and best production bike he's ever ridden.

F1 At Manfield 📸Matt Meads

Ange has asked me for info about my history, as I've been building, riding and racing Ducatis for over 40 years — doing everything on my bikes myself from the ground up.

I was a shift worker doing four on, four off, and made motorcycle exhausts and race bikes on my days off. Meadsspeed was my business name.

I started racing on a Norton, then a Yamaha FZ750 and FZR1000s, but started my Ducati racing in 1995 with my F1 750, which was the most fun you could have with your clothes on. I raced it through to 2004 with some good results, and after a break, went back to the track with my 1098 but never had the results like the F1.

After having a run of bad luck with crashes, I decided to quit racing and put my son on my bikes, and I would do the odd race day and lots of track days — mostly two-up giving people rides.

In 2017, I started helping Hayden Fitzgerald with Yamaha New Zealand superbike for a year.

These days consist of running our busy panel beating and windscreen replacement business in Hāwera and also our beef farm.

We have one of the best and most beautiful countries in the world for riding a motorcycle, and I'm one of those people that doesn’t plan a trip — just look at the weather forecast, then go aboard my V4 Multistrada.

I still have my F1 750 race bike but haven't used it for 15 years.