The most memorable race of my life
- Thread starter Arrabbiata1
- Start date
Joined Apr 2008
7K Posts | 3K+
Out of Nowhere
He may also have said the win on the Bimota which was pretty special as well.
But yep, it would be up to him to remember it and in all likelihood, he would struggle
Joined Apr 2008
7K Posts | 3K+
Out of Nowhere
Not at that point - we was still a vegetarian munching on the grass
BTW, see you haven't picked up on the Ashkenazi comment as for me, his is worse when you look at the crimes (plus, I learnt whilst checking on the Askenazi one that Juan Garriga is serving time as well)
Joined Apr 2008
7K Posts | 3K+
Out of Nowhere
Kim Ashkenazi's transgressions went way beyond illegal substances as I recall.
I was recently joking about Cecotto, but Garriga flooded the paddock with all manner of illicit dealings. I think he was gun running at one stage?
Another “ride of my life” then - and I’m pleased to say I was present for Scott Reading’s maiden win in the 125cc class at Donington Park 2008 for Blusens Aprilia ending his countries 450 odd 125 races without a win. Previously the last rider to be victorious on a 125 was Chaz Mortimer, but that was in Spain, this was at home – and if you never visited the so called ‘spiritual home of British motorcycle racing’ for a GP, then it’s hard to articulate. It was a very windy day, but it was more the incessant pressure that Scott was subjecting Iannone to that resulted in him not uncharacteristically losing the front and crashing out with six laps to go at Craners.
The enormity of this cannot be understated and was massively significant for his future which is why he regards this as the ride of his life, although I always thought that he relished the win over Marquez at Silverstone in Moto2 more. In 2008 he was too young to drink the champagne and it was also rumoured that pre-race he was seen playing with a Meccano set in the his garage – he wasn’t, unbeknown to Ducati he had merely got hold of the cradle trellis from Stoner’s GP8.
With Ashkenazi I recalled the drugs but could not remember the time he got and when checking found the other stuff, which led to Garriga and the gun side (did time)
If you want another ride from me I would throw in either of Mick Doohan's WSBK rides at Oran Park as well but primarily for the manner in which he destroyed the world stars. Should also make special mention of Mick Dowson who finished second in both races and also dominated both races, but not enough.
The manner of the domination was sensational and somewhat brutal to many of the overseas riders and perhaps introduced the Doohan need to dominate method of racing
Ah memories of the good old days of Australian bike racing where we had plenty of teams, good sponsors and of course the Doohan/Dowson Marlboro domestic team
Edit. Another (but I would have to check the year) was the 500 race where Gardner made a run on the last few laps and pulled a gap, but then ran out of fuel a few corners from home and when he got to the pits, the steel tank was dented from his punching - may have been the old Lemans
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Joined Oct 2012
3K Posts | 725+
Crab Key
Joined Apr 2015
6K Posts | 5K+
NJ
He should have stuck with LSD, who knows, it might have shown him a future in motorcycle racing that would have compelled him to stay the course...
Either that or he might have seen fireworks shooting out of the exhausts of fellow competitors' bikes among other things.
Joined Sep 2013
233 Posts | 92+
matlock
Agree! I was there too and thats why i am a big fan of him.
(frustrating times at the minute though) hope he rides through it.
Joined Jul 2007
5K Posts | 1K+
unda cheese
2007 Daytona 200.
I know the 200 gets minimal respect from some race fans, but it is ( or was ) a big deal amongst racers. I always enjoyed watching it for a litany of reasons. Watching them come off the high banking and running four wide in the dragrace to turn 1 is a sight to behold. I like the strategy aspect and watching it unfold over a two hour period. Fortunes rise and fall, and rarely can you call it till the flag drops.
That year I was watching from inside the Honda suite. Posh tickets. Catered food, timing monitors, live feed and Honda brass all around. Needless to say I fit like a .... on ..... night at club shov, especially since I was wearing a Yamaha shirt.
That was a big year for Honda. Three Hondas on the front row and Miguel Duhamel sitting on pole, going for a record sixth 200 win.
Miguel takes the lead and all looks well. On lap 15 he slows and pulls off to the side. The Honda suite goes Crutchlow. Hands on head, resounding noooooo's all around. Shortly later, the 2nd factory Honda slows and pulls off as well. The booth goes Lucy. Their havnt been this many Japs so distraught since Hiroshima. Turns out both Hondas suffered from the same fuel pump issue.
At this point I start to notice this lime green R6 running a steady pace and closing the gap to the lead pack. This is why the 200 is so good. Gaps that would normally be insurmountable in sprint racing become attainable. This lime green semi privateer has peaked my attention. Celtic Racing? Who are they, and who is this kid with the name of some lords spoiled offspring.
Chaz Davies himself, fresh off, fluffing Stoner has arrived to start the third British invasion. Im excited now and starting to pull for this kid who shows up out of nowhere and looks undaunted by a first time on the high banks.
The gap is closing and he is surely making a push for the lead pack. All looks like a storybook unfolding until he pulls in for the pit stop. An average tire swap and refuel is around 13 secs. 12 seconds tick off, 13,14,15,...... come on Chaz.....16,17,18, ...., theres a problem, 23 seconds and he's let loose. Too late. he makes a heroic effort but those extra 10 seconds doom him. He ends up finishing 4th, above the factory Yamaha. The difference in that race was the more experienced pit crews.
I was forever a fan of Chaz after that race. Afterwards I chatted with him in the paddock. I lamented his ill fortune with the pit stop, he had a big grin on his face and agreed but felt very happy with what they were able to achieve with what they had.
Was this Chaz's most memorable race. Maybe not since he won the following year on a DQ post race, but I do believe it was a very important race mentally and professionally for him and his career. Im sure he looks back fondly on it and if I ever get so see him again I will remind him of how epic it was.
Since that day, I've always been a huge fan and it was a very touching moment seeing his parade lap with a Nicky Hayden flag at Laguna this weekend.
For those that are still critical of the 200, and think it's not cool, It's a known and verified fact that the legendary Willski once attended one. I have the proof.
I know the 200 gets minimal respect from some race fans, but it is ( or was ) a big deal amongst racers. I always enjoyed watching it for a litany of reasons. Watching them come off the high banking and running four wide in the dragrace to turn 1 is a sight to behold. I like the strategy aspect and watching it unfold over a two hour period. Fortunes rise and fall, and rarely can you call it till the flag drops.
That year I was watching from inside the Honda suite. Posh tickets. Catered food, timing monitors, live feed and Honda brass all around. Needless to say I fit like a .... on ..... night at club shov, especially since I was wearing a Yamaha shirt.
That was a big year for Honda. Three Hondas on the front row and Miguel Duhamel sitting on pole, going for a record sixth 200 win.
Miguel takes the lead and all looks well. On lap 15 he slows and pulls off to the side. The Honda suite goes Crutchlow. Hands on head, resounding noooooo's all around. Shortly later, the 2nd factory Honda slows and pulls off as well. The booth goes Lucy. Their havnt been this many Japs so distraught since Hiroshima. Turns out both Hondas suffered from the same fuel pump issue.
At this point I start to notice this lime green R6 running a steady pace and closing the gap to the lead pack. This is why the 200 is so good. Gaps that would normally be insurmountable in sprint racing become attainable. This lime green semi privateer has peaked my attention. Celtic Racing? Who are they, and who is this kid with the name of some lords spoiled offspring.
Chaz Davies himself, fresh off, fluffing Stoner has arrived to start the third British invasion. Im excited now and starting to pull for this kid who shows up out of nowhere and looks undaunted by a first time on the high banks.
The gap is closing and he is surely making a push for the lead pack. All looks like a storybook unfolding until he pulls in for the pit stop. An average tire swap and refuel is around 13 secs. 12 seconds tick off, 13,14,15,...... come on Chaz.....16,17,18, ...., theres a problem, 23 seconds and he's let loose. Too late. he makes a heroic effort but those extra 10 seconds doom him. He ends up finishing 4th, above the factory Yamaha. The difference in that race was the more experienced pit crews.
I was forever a fan of Chaz after that race. Afterwards I chatted with him in the paddock. I lamented his ill fortune with the pit stop, he had a big grin on his face and agreed but felt very happy with what they were able to achieve with what they had.
Was this Chaz's most memorable race. Maybe not since he won the following year on a DQ post race, but I do believe it was a very important race mentally and professionally for him and his career. Im sure he looks back fondly on it and if I ever get so see him again I will remind him of how epic it was.
Since that day, I've always been a huge fan and it was a very touching moment seeing his parade lap with a Nicky Hayden flag at Laguna this weekend.
For those that are still critical of the 200, and think it's not cool, It's a known and verified fact that the legendary Willski once attended one. I have the proof.
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Joined Oct 2006
25K Posts | 4K+
Your Mom's House
On Sunday at Laguna, I was at Benny Solis' pit (the kid in JK's pic above), and behind us strolls up Davies and walks in to another AMA pit. He's chillin like there's no care in the world (this was before his Sunday race). My buddies wanted to go ask him to say on camera "Alan, you're a wannker for not being here." We wanted to make a friend of ours more regretful he wasn't here with us. I'm pretty sure Chaz would have done it, but a couple of families came up to talk with him and ask for autographs. As I stood there patiently one by one I heard people say, "I want to personally thank you for running Nicky's flag on your victory lap, it was very touching." I scrapped my original plan and expressed my gratitude like others. He said it was his honor. I've always like Chaz Davies because during his AMA days he was humble, accessible, had work ethic, and being from Wales, he stood out; but this weekend he gained plenty of lifelong admirers and fans.
Joined Apr 2008
7K Posts | 3K+
Out of Nowhere
Great post - and thank you 'knockers' because this never gets a mention. I'll always be eternally grateful for Josh Hayes crankshaft.
I've followed Chaz since he was mates with Casey in the British 125 championship. Really had high hopes of him to at Aprilia Germany and subsequently Campetella before they ran out of money. Perhaps it was for the best - (as I recall, their bikes had that horrible garish pink on the fairing). Lower classes aside, although Chaz was always venerated by many, the real impact that he made on GP bosses was when he put in that incredible ride standing in for the "Hoffmeister" at Laguna in 2007 by virtue of being in the AMA paddock which lead to retention for those final three rounds although (he didn't do Valencia) It's unfortunate that the Pramac Ducati team was run by Luis Dantin at that time.
Hate to say it, because I do like Scott, but Domenicali was there last weekend -
wouldn't it be great if...
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Joined Sep 2013
233 Posts | 92+
matlock
I know its not moto gp but chris walkers last to first at assen in 2006 was one of the best races i have seen, and superb commentary.
Joined Apr 2008
7K Posts | 3K+
Out of Nowhere
Reminder again - this thread is about the most cherished race from the riders perspective not ours.
Another example perhaps will elucidate.
Hutchy...Although I don't believe that we'll ever see the solo sweep of 2010 ever again at a TT the return to the island in 2015 following years of recuperation and the first win in the supersport class that Monday was the most memorable race of his life. He went on to win another two that year another Supersport and the Superstock race. He regards these as having far more personal significance than his triumph five years before.
Another example perhaps will elucidate.
Hutchy...Although I don't believe that we'll ever see the solo sweep of 2010 ever again at a TT the return to the island in 2015 following years of recuperation and the first win in the supersport class that Monday was the most memorable race of his life. He went on to win another two that year another Supersport and the Superstock race. He regards these as having far more personal significance than his triumph five years before.
Joined May 2009
6K Posts | 4K+
Shovel's Club
I would think the race riders would cherish most would be Asian. I mean thats were most of their bosses are from. Thats a weird question Arrab
