Tough start for Leon and Ducati

From Royal Distributing / Michael Lanni MotorRacing

MONTREAL, QC -- The season didn’t start as planned when the Royal Distributing / Michael Lanni MotorRacing Ducati 1198S Superbike encountered a mechanical failure during practice for the season opening RACE SuperSeries event May 3 at Shannonville Motorsports Park. Rider Michael Leon had to withdraw from Sunday’s race when tuner Guy Martin determined that the engine troubles could not be repaired at the track.

The team came about when Leon, who has been competing in the National Canadian Thunder Series for the past four years, contacted Martin with the idea of racing a Ducati Superbike. Martin, who owns and operates Martin Brickwood Performance (MBP) with his wife, Janet Brickwood, approached customers Michael Lanni and Sal Scebba for support. Lanni agreed to purchase a brand new 2009 Ducati 1198S for the team to race in the RACE SuperSeries Superbike class. All preparation and trackside support will be provided by MBP.

John Mochrie of Royal Distributing stepped up to the plate to become the team’s title sponsor. Royal Distributing, well known for its motorcycle accessories and apparel mail order catalogue as well as stores in Guelph, Innisfil and Sudbury, ON, has a strong history of support for many types of Canadian motorsports.

Monette Sports, the freshly renovated Ducati dealer located in Laval, QC will also support the team. Monette Sports has been serving Quebec motorcycle enthusiasts since 1974. As well, Ducati Montreal, a new “boutique” style store that opened this spring in the heart of Montreal’s little Italy, will also lend a hand.

The team remains optimistic about the rest of the season as the 1198S should be an outstanding platform for Superbike racing.

Martin has a tough two weeks ahead, as Round Two of the RACE SuperSeries will take place at Shannonville Motorsport Park from May 15-17, leaving little time to repair the engine troubles.