Marco "Lucky" Luchinelli was the star rider for Cagiva at Daytona that year.
I had this picture of my 1973 DUCATI 750 Sport in my wallet when I met Ing. Fabio Taglioni in the pits at Daytona during "Speed Week" (spring 1986). I was "crew" for a friend, Andy Price (thanks for the Daytona experience!) who was racing Formula 2 aboard a Yamaha TZ250 model j. On monday morning (the first day of "Speed Week") after unloading Andy's bikes, tools, and spare parts, I saw Ducatis and Cagivas being unloaded into a garage across from us in "pit alley" and was surprised to see "Dr T." casually supervising, wearing a fine grey silk suit with a red muffler around his neck.
I approached him and introduced myself asking, "Professor Fabio Taglioni, si?". He nodded affirmatively and smiled. I asked him if he spoke English, he frowned and shook his head no. Since I don't speak Italian, I just stood there for a moment thinking here is the man that designed and built my 1973 DUCATI 750 Sport and I can't even thank him or talk to him about it, what can I do? Then I remembered the picture in my wallet as I gave Prof. Taglioni hand gestures that I wanted to show him something. I pulled out the bent, faded, fuzzy picture of my bike and handed it to him. Immediately his face lit up as he gestured to me as if to ask "Your bike?". I nodded affirmatively with a big grin on my face. He then put one arm around my shoulder leading me on a stroll along the "pit alley" garages, with him (I suppose) telling me about my bike and the good ol' days of the bevel drives and the early days of the 750's saying, "Bella, bella ... ". He stopped us by the Michelin tent, pulled out a pen and signed my photograph on the side of the Michelin tire truck. I smiled and bowed a little saying, "Mille grazia". He smiled back then we turned around and walked back to the garages, both silent but occasionaly smiling at one another. I will never know what he said me on our walk, but his face was full of happiness and I suspect fond memories of the days when the Ducati factory was building the now infamous 750 Super Sports and Sport motorcycles. I felt like a million bucks (billion lire) being able, in my humble way, to thank him for making such a beautiful machine.
At the end of the day, Andy & I went back to the ocean side Texan Hotel where we had checked in the day before. Who was sitting in the lobby waiting as his crew registered for their rooms? That's right, "Dr. T". He saw me walk in and stood up and said, "Ah" as he waved at me. I said "Ah", waved and nodded as we both realized we still couldn't communicate. So smiles, nods and hand gestures were exchanged, then some head shaking and light laughter. Neither my friend Andy nor his crew could figure out what we were doing. Ing. Fabio Taglioni and I saw each other everyday at the track and back at the hotel at the end of the day. I always felt in the presence of greatness. It was a memorable week at Daytona.
The following pix are a few I was able to take when I wasn't 'working' for Andrew.
Marco "Lucky" Luchinelli was the star rider for Cagiva at Daytona that year.
I particulary like the tool cart in this picture. Definately "Made In U.S.A.".
Thank you Fabio for your personal kindness and for your amazing genius and ability to create such fabulous, beautiful, fast motorcycles.
God rest your soul.
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