Motor Trend has weighed in on the great debate: which is faster, a car or a bike? Wanting to explore the issue with some style, the car mag proved prints isn’t dead, and took a Ferrari 458 and Ducati 1198S Superbike to the track to see which Rosso Corsa was fastest. With a quarter-mile drag and a lap around the Streets of Willow, MT has its definitive answer on which is the fastest Italian, but we imagine the answer to what form of transportation is ultimately faster will remain an open debate for a while longer. The video is after the jump, stop watching at the 8:22 mark if you don’t want to hear a bunch of excuses being made.
Missing three races because of a mystery illness, Casey Stoner put any critics he had from his sudden departure in 2009 to bed with his masterful race at Phillip Island. Racing in front of his home crowd, Stoner slid around the Australian course to a decisive victory, in what we called one of the top races of 2009.
Making the moment even more special for Australian fans, and Ducatisti alike, was the special race livery that Stoner ran for his home race. Hoping to commemorate that race and Stoner’s contributions to the Marlboro Ducati team (Stoner is leaving Ducati for HRC next year), a French Ducati dealership in Moulins-lès-Metz has decided to sell a limited number of Casey Stoner Ducati 1198S Phillip Island replicas.
Ducati is recalling 753 Streetfighters, 1098R’s, and 1198S’s Superbikes because of a potential fuel hose clamp issue. The recall affects only 2010 Streetfighters and 2009 Superbikes, and if left unresolved could result in the bike stalling from the lack of fuel, and potentially starting a fire.
If you’re going to do something wrong, do it right. So when it comes to Ducati’s, instead of spending the $20k+ on 1198 S, or $40k+ on a 1198R, go all the way and get a Red Fenix 1198 S Scuderia…actually, don’t.
For about €100,000 more than the sticker price of a 1198S, you can get the Scuderia by Red Fenix, and enjoy your near WSBK handling chassis.