Bruno Ducati

Engineer and co-founder of the famous motorcycle marque.

Bruno Cavalieri Ducati must have died a proud man. He was an engineer and the last of three famous brothers who founded the famous Italian motorcycle marque that continues to lead World Superbikes in 2001.

Ducati’s story is centred in Bologna and spans 75 years. In 1925 the company, led by Bruno’s physicist brother, Adriano, made radio transmitters that connected Italy to the world. By the 1930s, it was the country’s second largest company, employing 11,000 people.

During the war, Ducati operated a policy of “No man and no machine goes to Germany” which saved valuable manufacturing plant, but not their Borgo Panigale factory. In 1946, after risking death as partisans, they produced their first moped, the popular Cucciolo, or Puppy, that offered affordable transportation. However, the drought of 1947 and ensuing power shortages pushed the company into debt, receivership, and eventual expropriation by the Italian state.

Since 1949 Ducati has continued to develop without the direct contribution of the Cavalieri Ducati family, but its survival and growth is attributed to their legacy and the post-war demand for a plethora of consumer goods including motorcycles, household appliances, and mechanical engineering.

Adriano worked for the US aerospace industry until his death in 1991 and Marcello continued as as an electro-mechanical engineer until his death in 1998. Bruno continued his career in the field of electro-mechanics, specialising in nuclear power, safety, and research. He obtained many patents.

Ducati, which was bought, and turned round, by American investors in 1996, is famous for its big twins, especially the Tamburini-designed 916/996, considered by many to be the most beautiful motorcycle ever created.

The UK has a special place in the Ducati story. In 1978 Mike Haliwood, a retired British racing legend with nine world motorcycle titles and a Formula 2 championship under his belt, returned to the Isle of Man TT races on a Ducati 900ss. He won the world championship.

The trend continued with Burnley’s own “king” Carl Fogarty, recently retired, securing four of Ducati’s five World Superbike championships between 1994 and 2000 and a total of 59 victories for the Italian manufacturer.

Scotland, too, can claim a unique relationship with Ducati. Before he retired from racing, Niall Mackenzie set the current lap record of 50.499 seconds at Knockhill on a GSE Racing INS Ducati 996 last year.