The NCR-Ducati travelled across to Alberta for the second round of the
Parts Canada Thunder Championship. Early testing showed that the NCR-Ducati 848 was able to handle the numerous
bumps and holes of the Race City Motorsport Park.
Saturday morning
practice showed
that Andrew Nelson
managed the
best time of the
morning with a
1:19.972 wi t h
Valter Bar tolini
close behind with
a b e s t o f
1:20.170. Darren
James on of the
first of the 1125R
Buells in third with
a 1:22.170 and Davve Estok with a 1:22.193. Under a beautiful sunny sky, Andrew managed to win pole position with
Valter in the second slot. The race saw a great start by Valter and local ace Chad Pasowisty shooting towards the front
while Andrew stumbled momentarily and found himself 5th in the first turn. The previous lap record was quickly broken
by the new Thunder Class while Valter Bartolini was leading with an incredible 1:19.362 but it was Andrew Nelson
with a 1:19.093 that was on a quick pursuit to pass Chad and to then hunt down the leading Valter Bartolini. Andrew
quickly set an incredible pace because he didn’t want Valter to pull away while Andrew battled to get by Chad. Andrew
set the days best time but had plenty in reserve
to do better if needed.

By the half way
point of the 16 lap race, the trio of Ducati’s of
Valter, Andrew and Chad were pulling away
from the field. Valter and Andrew were setting up
for the much anticipated battle of the NCR-Ducati
teammates but then on the 10th lap, Valter was
setting up to do his usual rear end slide into the
bumpy left hander after the “Bus-Stop” when his
engine locked up and pushed him off the course
and onto the grass when he managed to slide off
before the tire barrier. Thankfully, he only sustained
a sprained ankle during his off-road excursion.
Andrew saw the whole event unfold
before him but kept his eyes on the task at hand and continued to put down some very fast laps while staying just far
enough ahead of Chad in order not to be drafted by him down the longest straight of the series. Andrew finished first,
2.5 seconds ahead of second lace Chad Pasowisty and 25 seconds ahead of Dave Estok.
This leaves Andre Neslon with a series lead for NCR-Ducati. Next round is in three weeks at the double header at Mosport
Ontario. Join us there for what will surely be an exciting time.
For more team information or to explore sponsorship and marketing opportunities, visit www.ducatiusa.com,
www.ncrfactory.com or contact Joe Ippoliti at 613-936-3579 or Jim McKenna at 404-394-2094.