Russ Paulk (left), Jimmy Adamo (center) and John Long (right) celebrate on the AMA Pro Twins victory podium at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in 1987. Adamo was the greatest Pro Twins/Battle of the Twins rider in the history of the class, winning 31 BOTT Nationals during his decade in the class. That’s almost three times the number of wins by second ranked Gene Church, who won a total of 13 BOTT Nationals. Adamo will always be associated with Ducati. He won the 1982 and ’83 Battle of the Twins titles with Ducati machines tuned by the legendary Reno Leoni.
Russ Paulk, Jimmy Adamo and John Long celebrate on the Pro Twins podium at Mid-Ohio in 1987. (Larry Lawrence photo)
Rider Files 
Jimmy Adamo was a great guy for the sport and for Ducati in the 80’s when Ducati was short of cash and the new Pantah wasn’t yet available in a large bore version. Reno Leoni and he were running 70’s bikes well into the 80’s. He did it with spirit, courage and loved it all I imagine. Too bad he died in 1993 at the Daytona 200. Well remembered.
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Thanks PQ. I couldn’t agree more. Adamo was a huge asset to motorcycle racing. He’ll be remembered for generations to come.
Larry
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Jimmy raced a Ducati in 1985 when Ducati sold 53 (fifty three) motorcycles in the USA. Were there other non factory riders who did the same that year? Doubtful. His loyalty to the brand & to Reno at that time bordered on lunacy. Jimmy did it all out of pure neccesity. If you talk to others who knew him, you will find that what he was doing simply needed to be done. There was never a question as to if what he was doing was right or wrong or if the sacrifices that he was making were in line with the rewards. “Have fun” he always said, before he hung up the phone or parted ways.
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