DOCGB

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The 7th edition of the World Ducati Week will take place at the Misano World Circuit from 21 to 24 June.

It’s official: WDW 2012, the event Ducatisti from all over the world can’t get enough of is coming to the Misano World Circuit from 21 to 24 June.

The first World Ducati Week was held in 1998 to thank all the people who helped make Ducati famous throughout the world and to celebrate their passion for motorbikes and anything Desmo. Always a great chance to party and have fun, in 2012 this event, by now nothing short of a “saga”, will celebrate its 7th edition.

Memories are still alive in the hearts of those who took part in the last edition, held in 2010, which literally filled the now historic home of the event, the Misano circuit. At the centre of it all, the track, the shows, the riders, the races, the music but in particular many motorcycles and motorcyclists from all around the world. Nothing short of a “Red Planet” taking over not only the circuit itself, but the entire Romagna Riviera for four days.

Taking part in the WDW means getting involved in a 360 degree event and share an unforgettable experience with thousands of other Ducatisti (and more) from all over the world, united by the same passion for the “Reds of Borgo Panigale”. Throughout this journey, Ducati.com will be an essential reference point where participants can obtain information, consult the programme of the week, purchase tickets and prepare for the great event.

WDW 2012, the countdown has already started: save the date!

WE WILL BE THERE - WILL YOU?
Click below for our dedicated WDW2012 page.

Mick was a lifelong Ducati fan and enthusiast, who was good enough to provide support and encouragement to the DOC and it's fledgeling committee and membership which numbered in the dozens when I first got to know him.

My first contacts with Mick were as a typical customer, continually after bits and advice for my less than reliable 250 24hrs. After spending much of my money keeping his business afloat and the 24 Horrors running, I then bought my long suffering 750GT from Mick in 1975. At the time I was Membership Sec for the DOC, and through these connections an ongoing friendship was born which has lasted until now.

Whenever I ran into Mick (invariably at the Classic Bike Show) he was always ready to chat, pass on his knowledge, and help wherever possible. He was always ready to support the club whenever asked, and was happy to be amongst the first to offer discounts on parts to members. He provided trophies for the "Ducati Only" races we helped organise in the 70's when Dukes were a real rarity on the track, and attended many club dinners, anniversary shindigs and other events. Nothing was ever too much trouble for his fellow Ducatisti.

When his son Gary was killed in an accident at Brands, the DOC was honoured to support Mick at a memorial meeting at Mallory Park. Mick often referred to the DOC as his second family, and we were pleased to be thought of in that way. The feeling was reciprocated when the club gave Mick their Lifetime Achievement award last year.

Our contact had become much more sporadic since he sold the Ducati spares business and went into writing, for which he is much better known in the wider bike world, but whenever I spoke to him, I was always impressed by how well he remembered those earlier days.

Mick, you will be sadly missed by all who had the honour to have known you, and especially by those you called friends.

If you wish to honour Mick's memory by helping to support the McMillan Cancer Support charity, then follow this link to make a donation.

You can obtain a copy of Mick's autobiography, "The Ride of My Life" by going to:

The following (slightly abbreviated) message was received from Mandie after the funeral.

Hope you're journey home was ok on Friday - it really was a pleasure to meet you and listen to your memories of Mick.

We were so pleased with how the funeral went and as I said, its so nice to know that Mick was held in such high regard by so many.

Mick's Autobiography is a wonderful read.... at this time only 2000 have been printed, so I don't think it will be around for too long...... (Do excuse the very obvious plug - but at the end of the day I'm looking out for Sue lol)

Please do also pass on my (Our) thanks to the other guys who travelled to pay their respects, It's difficult to know who got to speak to who on the day as the turn out was so large.

I will keep the JustGiving page up to date with my training progress (Probably in a few weeks) - and then also upload pictures of me at the run in June. I can't stress enough just how much Macmillan helped everyone, least of all Mick..... they are such a fantastic resource for families and patients and I can't imagine how we would all have coped without their support during Mick's illness.

Finally, just to say that the flowers from DOCGB are now up at Leverington Church Yard with Gary...... along with the rest of the Family Flowers.... because at the end of the day - you guys were as good as!

(The service was attended by Spaggy, Mick White, Andrew Hunt and Brian Silver)
Here are a number of the floral tributes that were presented at the funeral.

The DOC is pleased to announce that we have been appointed by the DVLA as the UK authority for officially dating old Ducatis, and can provide the official certificate to owners anxious to avoid the dreaded Q-plate. Click here for full details.