1978

Ducati 900SS appears in black & gold paint…..

CDDC is formed when some members of the Tweed Valley Ducati Club moved to the ACT. Local businessman, Ray Gulson, agreed to become the club’s patron after he purchased a 900SS.

The club held the first “Ducati Rally” at Coonabarabran and invited ‘parent’ club the Tweed Valley and the DOC NSW – 21 bikes attended (not all Ducatis). The idea of an annual rally was picked up by DOC NSW and became the Thunder Rally.

The club was intended as a social rather than a racing organisation, and members voted against A.C.U affiliation. However, full support was given to the then fledgling Canberra Road Racing Club, as many CDDC members were aspiring racers.

The club held the inaugural “The Stable/Ducati Club Economy Run” on 19th November, and this major event has been held every year since.

Things became serious when ‘The Stable’ surprised us with a very generous sponsorship offer….they provided two $25 open orders…we also approached the Canberra Times and were once again surprised with the result. We managed to rate a mention, even if only on Page 37 in the bottom corner. The next surprise was when the manager of the Mobil Service Station city centre spontaneously produced two first-aid kits to be used as prizes.

Competitors were allowed to find their own way out of the city from the Mobil servo, the route ran through Queanbeyan to Bungendore across to the Federal Hwy and back – a distance of about 75kms.

The prize for under 500cc was Bruce on his 250, the prize for over 500cc went to two outsiders on a Yamaha 650 & Kwaka 900 – such humiliation.

1979

last 750SS with Borani rims…..Darmah SS appears….first production MHR appears at London Show.

CDDC introduces a Club points system, where members get points for attending various Club activities and then get rewarded at the end of each year.


Activities this year included a softball challenge against the 4 Owners Club; a hill-climb also with the 4 Owners, at the mineshaft near Paddy’s River; Easter weekend at Bathurst races and of course the Economy Run.

Member Bruce Bartrim rides a Ducati 500 to Evans Head for Xmas and back to Tumut for New Year…

“I carried a pair of saddle bags, a pair of haversacks strung across the seat, a milk crate on a rack and bedroll on the tank…I got away about 10am Saturday morning and entered State Circle as usual at about 100kms and had a policeman on my tail when I got to Commonwealth Ave. He stopped me a bit further up and said “How fast were you going around State Circle?” To this I replied “I guess about 80.” He then said “Well don’t worry, I enjoyed it too.”

1980

Ducati releases Pantah 500SL

CDDC holds a Gymkhana; attends the Alpine Rally; has a sports day & BBQ with the 4 Owners Club; holds a film night, another successful Economy Run. A run to Wyangla Dam….”30kms from Woodstock to the the dam has to be one of the most Ducati-ish pieces of road this side of the Snowy Mtns.”

1981

600TL Pantah debuts at the Milan Show (not one of Ducati’s styling successes)

CDDC Newsletter gets the name “Bevel Drivel”.

The CDDC and the FAM (ACT) successfully ran the Bullen Range Rally, with about 100 people attending.

The Economy Run is held again, as is the Gymkhana.

1982

Factory TT2 wins every round of Italian TT2 championship

CDDC has it’s first production run of the sticker “I’d rather be riding my DUCATI”.

The Club hold a few maintenance days, the Economy Run has 85 entrants and the Gymkhana is held again and members continue to support the road racing club.

1983

Final 600SL Pantah gets MHR colours

CDDC has a very quite year with only one ride being attended in the first 3 months. The Economy Run is still held.

1984

Tony Rutter finished 3rd on TTF1 at the Isle of Man.

CDDC hosts a number of film nights and has guest speakers to monthly meetings – Managing Director of Penrite Oil and also Warren Lee from Frasers.

The Economy Run is a success again.

1985

Cagiva acquires Ducati……Virginio Ferrari wins the Italian Formula 1 championship on a factory TT1.

CDDC membership numbers double from previous year. The Club joins in Wheels ’85, attends Formula European race meetings, holds slide nights and another Economy Run.

1986

Radical Paso 750 appears with full coverage fairing…quite different from the 750F1.

CDDC joins in runs with DOCNSW such as the All Italian Day Spectacular, and the Veteran & Vintage MCC. Attends Wheels ’86, holds the Economy Run.

Notice of intention to incorporate the Club on 24 September.

1987

851 creates a sensation at Daytona by matching the speed of the Japanese 4 cylinder bikes.

CDDC holds inaugural weekend run to Khancoban on March 21st.

1988

Ducati release limited edition 750F1 Santa Monica, named after the circuit at Misano….also the 851 goes tricolour.

10th Anniversary celebrations this year……a concourse judged by Arthur Davis, test rides of a DB1, a great Italian dinner and, of course, the Economy Run.

Other activities include the now annual Khancoban weekend ride in March, the Bathurst races and the WSBK round at Oran Park, rides to Gunning, Tarago & Wombat and lots of Italian dinners (the Club gets the nickname Canberra District Dinner Club)….monthly meeting held at the Bocci Club with a game after. Economy Run is again a success.

1989

Massimo Bordi creates two distinct production lines at Ducati – new technology 851 series backed up by World Super Bikes, and refinement of the F2 Pantah.

CDDC goes from strength to strength..lots of dinners, rides to Aust GP at Phillip Island and BEARS race meetings. Winter rides to Caxton House Gunning, rides to Araluen on dirt road and the Economy Run.

1990

Paso 907ie appears at Cologne Motorcycle Show..

CDDC hosts DOCNSW for a weekend in Canberra. The Club attends the Canberra Motorcycle Expo at Weston Park. The Khancoban weekend is held again and DOCVIC are invited, and the Economy Run is a success once more.

Many Club members ride to Philip Island to see Raymond Roche secure the World Superbike championship in a Ducati.

1991

Doug Polen wins WSBK championship on 888….

CDDC attends the VVMCC Gluewein run, holds the Economy Run and the Khancoban weekend ride.

1992

‘Il Mostro’ appears at the Cologne Show……

CDDC goes to the first National Ducati Rally held by DOCNSW at Wellington NSW during Easter.

The Club also attends Auto Italia run by the local Fiat Club, and the Bathurst races where member Greg Hayes rides his 750SS, and holds the Economy Run.

1993

Ducati puts the Supermono into limited production…..

The CDDC Khancoban weekend is in it’s 7th year, and some members attend the 1993 NDR.

CDDC holds some monthly meetings at the Sprintkart raceway, and again hosts the Economy Run.

1994

Ducati releases 916……..

CDDC holds the Economy Run – only 20 entrants this year.

1995

Carl Fogarty wins WBSK championship on 955 racer….

CDDC holds annual Khancoban weekend ride, overnight rides to the coast, group rides to the Superbikes at Phillip Island and track days at Wakefield Park and the Economy Run.

More monthly meetings are held at the Kart Club, with drives after.

1996

Ducati introduces Sports Touring series…

CDDC holds the Economy Run and the Khancoban weekend.

1997

CDDC attends Auto Italia and Wheels ’97. It’s NDR 6 and it’s DOCNSW’s 21st Anniversary.

1998

CDDC 20th Anniversary year is celebrated with commemorative wine, a dinner and of course the Economy Run.

Other activities such as rides to Tumut, Kangaroo Valley and Bombala, monthly meetings are held at Mt Stromlo, Auto Italia and Wheels displays.

1999

CDDC newsletter no longer called “Bevel Drivel”.

Monthly meetings are well attended, with 30 members coming along. Day rides are held to Thredbo, Robertson, Madew Winery with weekend rides to Hunter Valley and Harrietville, with the annual Khancoban ride on again.

CDDC starts a web-site, attends track days at Phillip Island and invites guest speakers to monthly meetings. Mid-week rides are started and attended by a group who soon pick up the name “Dad's Army”.

2000

Sydney Olympics……..

CDDC host NDR-9 with over 260 entrants coming to Canberra for the weekend. A concourse is held in conjunction with Auto Italia, a dinner and the Economy Run.

CDDC has rides to Thredbo, Bermagui and Nowra, weekend rides to Eden & Harrietville.

Some CDDC members have an unofficial WSBK round at a Phillip Island track day.

Frasers hold the first “Ducati Turismo” in the Snowy Mtns.

2001

CDDC hosts a “mini Turismo” through the Snowy Mtns to Harrietville. Day rides go to Nowra, Adelong, Honeysuckle creek. The Economy Run is a success as is the Xmas Family BBQ.

Shayne Smith attends inaugural international club president’s meeting in Bologna and WSBK round at Misano, Italy. Troy Bayliss wins both races. DOC NSW president John Clifton receives the manufacturer's prize on the podium (as a gesture from David Tardozze).

2002

Wendy Williams attends 2nd international club president’s meeting at Rimini, Italy and the Misano WSBK round where Troy Bayliss wins both races.

Memberships continue to be strong (approx 60 local riders)

2003

Mini turismo becomes an annual event following the same formula: a three day ride from Canberra to Harrietville staying at the Snowline Motel. The ride attracts 20+ CDDC riders and the odd blow-in from Victoria.

Steve Fleck organises a 2 day ride to Khancoban in the Snowy mountains.

Michael Phillips attends 3rd international club president’s meeting at Rimini, Italy and the Misano WSBK round.

Memberships start to drop off.

2004

Change to constitution is passed to allow AGM to be held in October.

2005

Ride day at Wakefield Park in January. Dave Shipley organises another one for September.

Former club treasurer, Patrick Kenny attends the 4th international club presidents' meeting in Tuscany and the Italian grand prix at Mugello.