A Ducati-themed amusement park is being developed in the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy, home to the iconic motorcycle manufacturer. “Ducati World” will be established at the Mirabilandia Leisure Park under an agreement between Ducati Motor Holding and Parques Reunidos, a leading theme-park operator.
The new Ducati World is scheduled to open sometime in 2019 and is expected to attract motorcycle enthusiasts from around the world. Projected attractions include a roller coaster that will turn visitors into Ducati riders. A Ducati museum is to be included in the project.
Simeone offers free guided tours December 26-29
The Simeone Foundation Automotive Museum in Philadelphia will offer free guided tours daily at 10:30 a.m and 1:30 p.m. from December 26-29, and for those who seek even more detail, the museum has TechTalks scheduled daily at noon and 3 p.m. For the TechTalks, the ropes around vehicles will be lowered and museum staff will allow visitors to get up close for discussions of various aspects of automotive technology.
Le May offers White Glove tours
On December 20, Le May – America’s Car Museum in Tacoma, Washington, launched a daily “White Glove” tour program that includes museum admission, a 75-90 minute docent tour that includes 2 or 3 “White Glove Stops with detailed, open-door look at iconic vehicles,” a photo op with a DeLorean, a “Horn tree activity (when available), and more. The VIP tours begin daily at 11 a.m. and a second such daily tour is under consideration. Tickets for this special tour are $33 for adults and $25 for children through age 12.
Songs and stories of the American Road
America on Wheels museum in Allentown, Pennsylvania, will host Matt Dodd from 12:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. December 28 for songs, stories and other activities about the American road during the museum’s Big Dipper New Year’s Eve party for families.
New Year’s Eve at the Gilmore
The Gilmore Car Museum in Hickory Corners, Michigan, hosts its annual and semi-formal Ring in the New Year party December 31 from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m.
Luxury of Motoring exhibit at Beaulieu
Britain’s National Motor Museum at Beaulieu launches “The Luxury of Motoring” exhibit early in 2018 featuring 28 Lalique mascots that will be shown together for the first time as part of a new gallery showcasing a selection of the worlds most luxurious cars and sharing the stories of the people who owned them and the chauffeurs who drove them.
Also new will be a series of group tours, including one in which the chief engineer will take groups into the Beaulieu vehicle restoration workshop. For details, see the special website.
AACA Museum plans for 2018 Christmas holidays
The AACA Museum in Hershey, Pennsylvania, wants to showcase a Hubcap Holiday Tree during the Christmas holiday season in 2018 and would appreciation the donation of unique hubcaps of all sizes to be used as decorations on that tree. Such hubcaps can be dropped off at the museum during any visit in 2018.
The museum also notes that it will be closed December 24-25, 2017, and January 1, 2018. It also will close February 20-March 2, 2018, for building maintenance.
NASCAR Hall of Fame induction event
Red Byron, Ray Evernham, Ron Hornaday Jr., Ken Squier and Robert Yates will be inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame in Charlotte, North Carolina, on January 19.
