VIRGINIO FERRARI
Virginio Ferrari was born in Castellaro (Province of Parma) on October 19, 1952.
He studied in Parma and Milan, and practiced competitive sport from an early age: Athletics – CUS Milano Pro Patria San Pellegrino
Virginio began motorcycling competition in 1972 by participating in the Italian motorcycle track championship.
In 1973 and 1974 he took part in the Italian Junior Championship with a Ducati 500 single-cylinder 500 and a Honda 500 Paton 4-cylinder.
In 1975, he moved into the SENIOR category, and became a professional pilot. He participates in the Italian 500 Championship on Paton, as well as in many world championship endurance races.
Best results:
1st place in the 1000 kms MUGELLO on Ducati 860
1st place in the 1000 kms MISANO on a Ducati 860
1st place in the FORMULA 1 category at the 1000 kms MISANO on Laverda 750 SFC
Second place in the LE MANS 1000 kms on a Ducati 860
Then, Virginio was one of the main protagonists in the 500 Moto Grand Prix world championship from 1975 to 1985, winning the title of vice-world champion in 1979 (on a Suzuki 500). He also participates in the "200 MILES" with a Yamaha 750 OW31 and a Suzuki 653.
Best results:
1978: 1st place at the NURBURGRING GRAND PRIX
1979: 1st place at the GRAND PRIX ASSEN
1979: 1st place in the “200 MILES” PAUL RICARD
1979: 1st place in the “200 MILES” MUGELLO
During this period, he began his activity as a test driver of competition prototypes for Suzuki, Ducati, Cagiva, Honda and Bimota, as well as a tire tester for Michelin and Dunlop.
In 1987, he returned to large displacement motorcycle racing to become WORLD CHAMPION in the F1 category on a Bimota-Yamaha 750.
Best results:
1st place at the HUNGARORING GRAND PRIX
1st place at the GRAND PRIX HOCKENHEIM
1st place at the GRAND PRIX ASSEN
1st place at the 6 HOURS OF MONZA
His track record also includes three Italian titles:
1978 : Italian Champion 500 cc on Suzuki RG 500
1978: Italian Champion 750 cc on Yamaha OW31 750
1985: Italian Champion 750 F1 on Ducati 750 F1
In 1990, he was in charge of the official Cagiva 500 team with Haslam, Mamola and Barros riders and carried out tests for Cagiva and Ducati.
He is the first to test on the track the carbon chassis of the CAGIVA 500 GP, produced by Ferrari Maranello.
In 1992 the Castiglioni brothers entrusted him with the management of the CAGIVA GROUP showroom in Monaco.
In 1994, he was appointed Team Manager of the official Ducati Corse team and won the Superbike World Championship in 1994 and 1995 with Carl Fogarty.
In 1996, his team came third in the championship with John Kocinski, in 1997 second with Carl Fogarty, and in 1998 third with Troy Corser and fourth with Pier Francesco Chili.
From 1994 to 1998 as Team Manager of the official Ducati Corse team, he accumulated 43 Superbike World Championship victories with Chili, Corser, Falappa, Fogarty, Kocinski and Lucchiari riders.
At the end of the 1998 season, the collaboration with Ducati, which had in the meantime been sold to Texas Pacific Group, came to an abrupt end. Virginio appeals to the court against Ducati for the early and unjustified termination of his contract. After a 12-year process, Virginio wins his case.
In 2000, he brought the Bimota brand into competition and obtained an exceptional victory in the Superbike World Championship in Australia with Anthony Gobert.
From 1985, he collaborated with TeleMonteCarlo Italy and the company Samipa (Monte Carlo) for the program "Chrono", respectively as a television commentator for the Moto Grand Prix, and as a test driver.
Recognized for his great experience in the world of motorcycling, he participates in specialized television shows such as "Griglia di Partenza" in Italy.
With its Virginio Ferrari Racing activity located in the Principality of Monaco, Virginio has been an importer and official workshop of MV Agusta for more than 20 years.
Virginio is one of the seven protagonists of the MV Agusta documentary "YOU SEE A BIKE, on the wings of legend", available since March 28, 2022 on Amazon Prime, Apple TV and Google Play platforms. Filmed between 2020 and 2021, it was produced to celebrate MV Agusta's 75th anniversary.
The historic collaboration between Virginio Ferrari and the MV AGUSTA factory came to an end at the start of 2022.
Virginio Ferrari is still involved in the world of motorcycling through its Virginio Ferrari Racing structure in the Principality of Monaco, by offering to make available its extensive experience in the world of competition with the VFR MANAGEMENT section, and also continues to offer the high-end design and customization work with the VFR MONACO DESIGN STUDIO section.