Dario Calzavara-Founder of Terra Modena interviewed in Milan
Words & Photo by Tor Sagen
Dario Calzavara is a man in his fifties. From the outside he is an unlikely man to place his money on the youthful sport of supermoto. But when you learn that the man have spent 5 years as a Ferrari F1 manager, working with Enzo and Piero Ferrari, and many more with Pirelli’s F1 team you understand that this man lives and breaths motor-racing. He founded Terra Modena after a long and successful career and utilized his friend, Piero Ferrari’s engine expertise to create a highly tuned 450cc single racing engine. In the latest Terra Modena 198 Reverse supermotard this engine is in place with Euro 3 homologation and all.
A supermotard motorcycle is such a simple thing. It’s a dirtbike with 17 inch wheels and road rubber. But the Terra Modena 198 Reverse is far from simple. The solid carbon fibre wheels, handlebars made of carbon fibre and a front mudguard that looks like a work of art is very high tech-20.000 Euro high tech as a matter of fact. We spoke to Calzavara at the 2006 EICMA motorcycle show in Milan.
Calzavara speaks about the engine first:
“Our engine is a 450cc single with twin cam, electric starter, dry sump and 3 oil-pumps. We put a lot of attention to the lubrication. The performance is quite astonishing even with the Euro 3 homologation that is in place. But really the engine is built for racing and is pure without the Euro 3 homologation. It redlines at 9.000rpm.
TS: How many horsepower?
“We are not making any declarations because there are so much bullshitting going around about figures”
TS: 60?
“Dario smiles and tells me: “More than enough. Like a Rolls Royce, more than enough.”
TS: Why not like a Ferrari?
Dario smiles again, but does not answer-Perhaps because Terra Modena in some ways is a Ferrari, the Ferrari of supermotards.
TS: Who is your customer?
“Usually it is someone that already owns a Harley-Davidson, BMW or Ducati. They want a light bike to enjoy on tiny mountain roads. -And someone that do not want to be stopped by the police because they are going to fast on a 999. These are my first 15 customers anyway. They are attracted by the style and design.”
TS: Is Terra Modena a hobby for you or mostly business?
“Also business, definitely”
TS: Will you do more engine projects with Ferrari?
“Yes, it is possible. But at the moment our focus is on this one-cylinder 450.”
Before leaving the Terra Modena stand at the 2006 EICMA show in Milan, I make sure a 198 is ready for me the next time I visit the Bologna area. A bike with such a low unsprung weight and Ferrari power must be sampled.
