Deus Ex Machina’s Michael Woolaway was invited up to World Superbike Championships at Laguna Seca Raceway to be in the Motul paddock with the Ago TT, his newly finished MV Agusta Brutale 800rr. Just hours after the final assembly of the bike was completed in Woolie’s Workshop, the van was loaded up and on its way north a day before the races to explore a bit of the Big Sur coast and the beautiful Carmel Valley wine-country, where Woolie spent much of his childhood with his family. A special bonus of the trip was an impromptu visit to the new Talbott motorcycle museum in Carmel Valley that just so happens to have a mighty fine collection of vintage MV Agusta racers. Here is a gallery of the field-trip in it’s entirety and an account of the experience from the man himself. Special thanks to Jim Krantz for the use of a few of his photos.
Read more about the AgoTT HERE
Join us for the bike release party on Sunday August 28th at 9am – 1pm at Deus Venice
“When I was approached to build a bike for Mv Agusta it was a no-brainer for me as I grew up idolizing the brand and their factory rider Giacomo Agostini. Getting the bike finished by in time to go to Laguna Seca for World Superbike was a challenge but I really wanted to take it up there because as a kid my dad would take us to the races all the time and some of my best family memories are at Laguna Seca with my dad and brothers. In fact being at those races back then is probably the biggest influences that has shaped me into who I am today.
After working all those hours late into the night to complete the bike, before I knew it we were there pulling into Laguna Seca and it all came back me, my memories as a kid. We saw the Porsche 917’s run there in the Can AM series and Mark Donohue was the man to beat. I also saw King Kenny Roberts win many races there on his Factory Yamaha TZ. With so many good memories of camping and barbecuing with my brothers, I wondered if things had changed over the years for this new generation of race fans. It did not take long to see that things where still as I remembered, the feeling of relaxation and fresh air where people came out to see the riders put it all out on the line for a victory or at least do there very best with what they came with.
It was then time for me to bring the Ago TT into the pits and it was great seeing so many familiar faces and catching up with my friends at Team Hammer and Graves Motorsports on the way to the Factory MV Agusta team paddock area. What happened next was totally unexpected as the factory mechanics came out and started looking at the bike and saying “Bella! Bella!”. I was amazed that these guys paid any attention to it, as they are working with the highest level motorcycles and parts. Motul was one of the big sponsors of this build and they had a full agenda for the bike and on Saturday it all kicked off with a big the crowd in the press tent. It was an honor to present the build that I had put so much work into. Pirelli provided some racing slicks that were put on at the track thanks to Newport Italian and we got access to the track at sunset for some photos and some track time.
In all it was a great weekend and I recommend to take your family to the races and camp out and give your kids a memory they will never forget.”
— Woolie
Special thanks for support from MV Agusta, MOTUL, Pirelli, and Atelier Faust, and WSBK.
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