![Ducati GP12 at Sepang.jpg First Shots of the New Ducati GP12? [UPDATED]](http://www.ducatinewstoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Ducati-GP12-at-Sepang.jpg.png "Ducati GP12 at Sepang.jpg.png")
Some photos are starting to leak out from Sepang, Malaysia just hours ahead of the first 2012 pre-season MotoGP test and the debut of the all new Ducati GP12 factory racer hurriedly designed and assembled over the winter break for riders Valentino Rossi and Nicky Hayden.
Happy Birthday to us and all that. Today Ducati News Today turns 3 years young. Just like a toddler we are getting more comfortable on our feet but there is still a long way to go. We have some big plans for 2012 mostly related to the fact that the opportunity to return to New Zealand as a base of operations has given us more time on our hands than planned to work on the site!
Ducati North America has announced 2011 motorcycle sales growth of 43 percent compared to 2010 and a record market share in all of it’s territories: US, Canada and Mexico. This result established North America as Ducati’s number one market for the first time ever.
Ducati may be playing its cards close to its chest ahead of the first 2012 pre-season MotoGP test at Sepang where we will get a look at the details and the performance of the new Ducati Desmosedici GP12 on January 31st, but satellite Ducati racer Karel Abraham seems to be under no gag order. His team have let slip that the satellite bikes have 250hp, hit 360km/h (224mph) and are in fact the full 999cc.
Ducati celebrated today the start of production of a model they have high hopes for both on the street and the track. The company has begun production of the Ducati 1199 Panigale. All the Ducati employees got involved including the CEO, Gabriele Del Torchio. Plant Director Silvano Fini “baptized” one of the very first bike off the line with sparkling wine. If your new 1199 is a little sticky, that will be the reason why!
Source: Ducati
An important single-owner collection of 100 significant Ducati motorcycles along with some from Ducati Corse itself will be auctioned off . The presentation of the renowned Saltarelli Collection will see RM’s highly-anticipated Monaco auction extended to two-days in 2012, with the motorcycles magnificently complementing the roster of blue-chip automobiles. In addition to the Saltarelli Collection, RM Auctions is delighted to announce the presence of the Ducati Factory and Museum at the Monaco auction along with the sale of some fantastic ex-Works racing machines, sourced directly from the Ducati Corse racing department. Ducati will also offer a fascinating collection of memorabilia directly from the factory.
Despite the fact that Ducati will not homologate the 1199 Panigale for World Superbike competition in 2012, thanks to one enterprising race team fans will be able to cheer on the new Ducati Superbike in a high profile national championship. Moto Rapido will enter not one but two of the new Bologna Bullets into the BSB for the 2012 season.
The Ducati Test Team, directed by Technical Director Filippo Preziosi, has completed three days of testing on the Spanish circuit of Jerez de La Frontera, with Carlos Checa and Franco Battaini followed by in the pit garage by Team Manager, Vittoriano Guareschi.
Here is your first chance to hear the 2012 Ducati 1199 Panigale run up hard on the dyno care of Motociclismo. If you have one on order or just have a pandering for one, sit back, relax, close your eyes having first turned up the sound.
Ducati has given its overhauled Desmosedici racer its first test ahead of the official MotoGP test scheduled for Sepang, Malaysia at the end of the month. In a closed test session at Jerez, riders Franco Battaini and World Superbike Champion Carlos Checa have put the new bike through its paces.
