#carlfogarty

Castle Combe, 01.09.19

Nearly 2,000 motorbike fanatics were left overjoyed when legendary racer Carl Fogarty made a surprise visit to their free weekly village meet-up. ‘Foggy’, a four-time World Superbike champion, is still adored by an army of loyal supporters after becoming one of Britain’s most popular sporting figures in the 1990s. And many were left grinning from ear to ear when they got the chance to unexpectedly rub shoulders with him in Old Buckenham, Norfolk, on Tuesday. “I come every week, it’s my local place to come for a meet. It’s great to meet new faces and, obviously, you never know who might turn up,” said Carl Thomas, 41, from Norwich. “It’s great Foggy was here. They’re all heroes, he’s a rider isn’t he so he’s a hero. I’m a biker so they all are. I let him do his thing, I’m not one of these who would jump all over him. He’s got more than enough people.” Steve Kingston-Miles, better known as Bumble, also made the near 20-mile trip from the city to the popular Two-Wheel Tuesday gathering hosted by the Ox & Plough pub. “I got a sneaky photo with him,” he laughed. “I didn’t know he was coming. I came up because I thought he (friend, Carl Thomas) might be here and he said: ‘Foggy’s coming’ and I was like ‘is he?’ We were looking for him and obviously we found him. I wasn’t sure what I was going to say to him, I didn’t have a clue - probably ‘you came in the van didn’t you?’ “I am surprised to see him in Norfolk. I’ve never met him before but I have seen him race.” The Blackburn-based superbike icon, who won I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! in 2014, was in Norfolk on business catching up with North Lynn-based Bikesure - the motorcycle insurance broker he has been brand ambassador for since 2012.

Ducati Manchester has signed up Ducati legend as their new ambassador for the next 12 months. Carl Fogarty and Ducati are intrinsically linked thanks to Carl’s incredible record as a Ducati rider in the World Superbike Championship. Fogarty has remained close to Ducati attending numerous Ducati events, press launches and race meetings since his retirement. His love for Ducati during this time has remained undiminished and has led to a close relationship with Chris Booth, owner of the Ducati Manchester group. Chris Booth has been friends with Carl for a number of years and was keen to bring Carl on board as part of the ever-growing Ducati Manchester family. The DMC group now includes dealerships in Sale, Preston, Stoke, Worcester and most recently Glasgow. Fogarty will attend various events at dealerships across the group as well as track days and ride-outs. He will also review new Ducati models, promote apparel and be the figurehead for Ducati Manchester across social media channels and marketing. Chris Booth, owner of Ducati Manchester ‘Carl is the reason I fell in love with Ducati back in the early 90’s and I guess I can thank him for inspiring me on this incredible journey with Ducati and Ducati Manchester. I am extremely proud and pleased that Carl will be joining our team. He will no doubt help promote Ducati Manchester with the same passion and success he has had in his career.’ Tim Maccabee – Managing Director, Ducati UK “Carl is not only synonymous with Ducati but also well-known for his North West of England roots – coming from Blackburn. It’s therefore very appropriate to see him teaming up with Chris Booth and representing the Ducati Manchester Group with Dealerships running up the western side of the country. It’ll be a real pleasure, as it always has been, to see Carl aboard the latest Ducati motorcycles, at events and saying hello to his Ducati fan-base” Carl Fogarty ‘I have known Chris Booth as a friend for a long time and have seen his Ducati Manchester Group go from strength to strength. It feels like I’m back where I belong – with the motorcycle manufacturer and brand that I’m most associated with because of my racing success with Ducati… it’s good to be home! The fans still love those glory days of superbike racing and I’m looking forward to reconnecting with Ducati fans and customers up and down the country at Ducati Manchester Group stores.’ One of Carl’s first events as Ducati Manchester ambassador was last night at the Crofters Arms for ‘An evening with Carl Fogarty’ at the Ducati Manchester outdoor bar. For more Ducati news check out our dedicated page Ducati UK News or head to the official Ducati UK website ducati.com/gb/en/home

For more information on Ducati Manchester visit ducatistore.co.uk/ Follow us on social media: Instagram: @superbikenews Twitter: @sbknews Facebook: @superbikenews SBN Directory - add your motorcycle related business here

If you would like to receive our headlines daily to your email inbox then sign up to our newsletter: Here Subscribe to our news channels: Here