In 1981 Ducati prepared an amazing racing twin based on the production Pantah: it was known simply as the TT2. The frame was extremely light at just 7 kg. The fork was a Marzocchi with magnesium-dash alloy sheaths, while the single-shock cantilever rear suspension used a single Paioli unit. Also noteworthy were the Campagnolo ultra-light alloy wheels with a diameter of 18”; later the bike was fit with a 16” front wheel. The bike used a Brembo braking system with a twin 280 mm disk up front. The engine was pushed to the regulation limit – 597 cc. The bike, very light and so compact that it was ill-suited for tall riders, had a swept-back fairing and a fuel tank lodged between the frame’s tubes.
In the meantime, British rider Tony Rutter won the Tourist Trophy race on a Pantah 500 SL. Seeing that he had a chance of taking the title, Ducati gave him a TT2 to race at Ulster. Tony came in second, winning the world championship for the category. At the end of the season Massimo Broccoli took the Italian title on a TT2. In 1982 the TT2 won the Italian title with Walter Cussigh, while Rutter took the world title again. At the Tourist Trophy, Rutter’s TT2 recorded a top speed of 232 km/h. In 1983 Rutter was world champion again. Among other things the TT2 managed a 1-2 victory at the Isle of Man. Walter Cussigh took the Italian title again, and in 1984 Rutter won the championship one more time.
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