From a press release issued by Ducati:

GET READY FOR THE DUCATI DESMO CHALLENGE

Ducati Motor Holding, with the cooperation of Techna and Mondo Ducati magazine, is to organise a one-make championship called the “Ducati Desmo Challenge”.

This new Ducati series planned for the coming 2005 season, will be run over four dates and offer exciting races on the track as well as a number of entertaining activities for the public. The event is open to all riders from European Union countries who possess a CE racing licence issued by their national federation. (Riders from outside Italy require permission from their national federation).

The Ducati Desmo Challenge, which will run from April until July 2005, will present a new program consisting of three different categories in which riders will compete at four of Italy’s top circuits.

The categories are:
Ducati 2-valve (Open regulations)
Ducati 4-valve (Open regulations)
999 (Superstock regulations – only 999S 2004/05 and 999 2005 base model allowed)
In the first two categories, the only requirement is that competitors use a Ducati Engine, therefore giving participants total freedom regarding the preparation of the motorcycle.

The Ducati Desmo Challenge has another unique feature: the event will take place on circuits reserved exclusively by Ducati. This will enable the races to take place in total freedom, giving the maximum emphasis to the needs of the riders, offering a paddock full of activities and initiatives dedicated to all bikers. Spectators will have the opportunity to try out the entire 2005 Ducati model range on a special circuit.

In addition, the first day of each of the four races of the Ducati Desmo Challenge will be dedicated to free practice, which will also be open to all those who do not possess a Ducati motorcycle. Qualifying, warm-ups and the actual races will all take place on the second day.

Another new feature will be the “gran finale”, which will take place at a Ducati European event at the end of July 2005, and where the Ducati Desmo Challenge prize-giving ceremony will also be held.

The calendar, technical and sporting regulations (including information on kits allowed) and the final prize-money jackpot will be released soon.