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In Memory of Daijiro Kato.

V

VHMP01

Joined Jan 2007
2K Posts | 0+
MEXICO
In Memory of Daijiro Kato,

It's been 7 Years since this tragically moment for our Sport; Kato sustained an accident at Suzuka On April 6, 2003. Two weeks later, after been in coma, he passed away.

I open this topic to remind us all of this great Japanese Rider.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daijiro_Katoh
 
Now there was a rider who could have given Rossi a hard time. I can't believe it's been 7 years.
 
wow, i remember it like it was yesterday
<
 
I wasn't fortunate enough to see this young man race, I've heard from many that he was a talent on two wheels.
 
I was just getting into motogp when this happened. Like a year or two before. I have never forgoten him, nor will I. A great talent.
 
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (bonnielass @ Apr 21 2010, 10:47 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Now there was a rider who could have given Rossi a hard time. I can't believe it's been 7 years.


I AGREE COMPLETELY - KATO WAS SOMETHING ELSE
 
Daijiro was Honda's plan. I remember watching him race in damp conditions, (his supposed achilles heel) at Donington in 2001, and he was up at coppice as the pursuing pack were down at Hollywood. He wrapped up the most successful 250cc campaign in history that year.

He started '02 on an NSR500, but when the 990 came his way at Brno that year, I felt immediate concern about his lack of physical presence on the bike. He didn't seem to be able to pick it up/lift it up out of the corners, unlike Pedrosa who was very quick to learn this in '06. Having said that I'm convinced that had the accident at Suzuka, (which I'm still convinced was a complete freak), had not occurred, he would have been a multiple World Champion by now.

A contentious issue, but was the 800cc era destined to happen irrespective of the terrible loss at Suzuka? Concerns were already growing, how many seasons would the litre formula have endured?

This was a dreadful loss for the sport, coming very close to both DJ, and Hizzy.
 
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Arrabbiata1 @ Apr 21 2010, 07:37 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>This was a dreadful loss for the sport, coming very close to both DJ, and Hizzy.

Not to mention Barry Sheene, what a terrible year for the sport!

I wouldn't be prepared to go as far as saying Kato would certainly have a motogp workd champ by now but i am confident he would have taken wins. Apparently when Rossi was testing the RCV in 2002 pre-seasom he was regularly asking for Kato's times and considered Daijiro and his NSR a threat.
 
Awesome talent, shock loss.......would have loved to see him in full bloom against vr.

RIP
DK
 

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