I actually spoke with KRJR this last weekend at Miller. He was in Suzuki rider Kagayama's garage who had ice on his foot and looked like a freight train had ran him over.)
Ok, I was gonna post this story in the
MILLER 09 Thread, but I might as well post it here:
During the pitwalk, I got lucky to be standing in front of Kagayama's garage when KRJR emerged talking with Yukio. He was also talking with some lady and after that he came out to the pitlane. I said hello and I asked him for a picture. He seemed very relaxed, not in a hurry to get somewhere. I told him it was nice to see him "at a WSBK event for a change". He said he loves "superbikes" and added that the racing is really good. "Yup, that's why I'm here, and perfect weather to boot, I said". He asked me where I was from and I told him Cali. So of course, taking advantage of the moment, I asked him if we might be seeing him "on a bike any time soon"? He chuckled and said, "no way, I'm tired of feeling like him when I wake up in the morning." (and pointed to Kagayama's foot on ice). "Ah, I see, I wouldn't blame you", I replied. "But we have some things we are working on. You know, we are always trying to do something with motorcycles". "Yeah, I know, I wish I could afford one of your 'KR Tuned' exhaust pipes, any chance of getting a discount?" He laughs; "You should ask my dad." "Yeah, I will..." (as if it were a real invitation to talk to The King.) Anyway, so I ask him; "what about GP, perhaps now with the cost cutting stuff maybe you guys can have another go?" "We are always thinking about getting into GP, we wanted to with Ducati, but who knows." he replied. By this time others notice who he is and start asking for autographs and pictures and screwing up my conversation. "Well, we need more Americans on the world stage in whatever; GP or WSBK, so we need your family back in it," I said as he started to sign an autograph with some other fan. "Yeah, well see" he said.
Fck, I totally forgot about asking him about Moto2! But you know I would have asked straight out if I had remembered.
Here is KRJR in Yukio's garage. It seems he still has ties to Suzuki. (Check out the flip-flops, is he chilling or what...)
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Close up of KRJR (Shhh, don't tell the person in the "who is in this picture" thread)
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Is it me or does Kagayama look like an old hag (related to Yoko Ono perhaps)
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He was icing his foot and walking around on cruches (photo from superbikeplanet)
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BFFs: KRJR & Jumkie
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