REUTERS

For one magic morning you can be Valentino Rossi before settling down to watch the real thing - the Italian MotoGP at Mugello - on the big screen at Killarney.

If it wasn't a Sunday it would be a public holiday in Italy - on July 3 motorsport icon Valentino Rossi (“The Doctor” to the tifosi) will ride Italy's most charismatic motorcycle, the Ducati Desmosedici GP11, on home soil for the first time in the Italian MotoGP at Mugello.

It will be a red, white and green-letter day for riders of spaghetti-powered motorcycles everywhere, and the Italophiles at Cape Town's Killarney racetrack will be opening the circuit to all riders of Italian motorcycles for a MotoGP-themed track day.

No, it's not a race - it's a chance to ride your Italian bike as fast as you're comfortable with in a safe and plod-free environment from 9am to 1.30pm, before settling down to watch the big race on the big screen with your fellow supporters.

Entry will be R400 per bike, which includes one braai pack per bike, and for that you get:

A free safety check for your bike.

A photo shoot on the grid with umbrella wives, girlfriends or Killarney's promo girls.

A sighting lap behind the safety car.

Track time from 9am to 1pm in grouped sessions with one-on-one instruction available on request from experienced racers who understand Italian bikes.

A photographer on hand to get action shots of you on request.

Track time from 1pm to 1.30pm for pillion session and various demos.

The Italian MotoGP live on the big screen in Turn 6 (the marshals pub).

A social braai and a chance to win your entry fee back.

PRIZES

There will be prizes for:

The best-looking bike/rider comnbination

Miss MotoGP Track Day.

The person who selects the top five MotoGP finishers in race order.

Lucky Draw - Win your entry fee back.

AUCTIONS

Bid for:

Two official Monster/Yamaha Grand Prix caps

A Leatt Pit Mat

A motorcycle crash helmet

Two Mystery Vouchers (find out on the fall of the hammer!).

The social side of the day will be held on July 3 even if the weather doesn't play ball but, if the track sessions are rained out an alternative date has been booked for July 10.

And here’s a tip: fill up on the way to the circuit - you have no idea how thirsty an Italian motorcycle gets at full tilt boogie!

Booking is essential - go to http://www.wpmcmarshals.co.za/motogptrackday.html