I started going to the bike races exactly 26 years ago. It was the Australian TT at Laverton in Melbourne. A full contingent of overseas riders were on hand to compete in the prestigious meeting on a track laid out on the barren, hot wasteland of the Laverton RAAF base. It’s now history that Australia’s Kenny Blake beat the legendary Giacomo Agostini to win the 500cc race, inflicting Agostini’s second defeat on Australian soil after he was beaten by the late Bryan Hindle at Oran Park in 1970.
And it was the enthusiasm and excitement of that first meeting that surfaces every time I go into the gate of any race track I attend. This morning I couldn’t wait to get to the track even though it was only Thursday. I had to keep telling myself, “Phil, it’s only Thursday, pace yourself.”
It was hot today and I couldn’t get track temperature details from the Pirelli technicians as the “important” riders won’t be out on the track until tomorrow!! But it was a steaming day and the pressure was on from this morning.
As it is an International meet, getting to see and talk to the riders is a great deal more difficult than at a domestic event, but Jim at motopodcast.com is working hard with the top riders’ media people to secure me some opportunities to talk to and interview them. Most of them didn’t even put in appearance today, but it will be hot and heavy tomorrow.
Here’s an example of how the other half lives.
The spares room of the Crescent Suzuki Team. A sight to bring a tear to the eyes of any Gixxer owner. 🙂
Catch you tomorrow.
