I had a phone call last week from my good mate, Deano Swims. Not what I wanted to hear. Apparently our mutual friend, Ottis Lance, has had a serious fall and has re-broken the leg that was smashed in the accident in October 2014. Apparently he was sent home from the hospital after an initial assessment (quite how they can do THAT is completely beyond me) but, coming at a time when his rehabilitation has stalled, this is the very last thing that he needs. Friends and family are rallying around (obviously) and details are sketchy at this stage but it is enormously worrying and I feel very helpless at this distance to try and assist in any way. If you’re a praying person, a few wouldn’t go astray. Failing that, positive thoughts and energy directed his way will be appreciated.
I recovered amazingly quickly from my ordeal on Friday and I’m hopeful that my physio appointment today will yield some positive results.
This Saturday night sees the opening round of the season at Nowra Speedway, my local track and where I commentate. The track and the pits were devastated by a cloudburst during the off season and it has been a huge engineering achievement to rehabilitate the place. But, many hands do make light work and the place is not only back to its best but many extra improvements have been made as well and it looks like it’s going to be a cracker season.
The news that Casey Stoner is coming out of retirement to be an ambassador and part-time test rider for Ducati has been greeted with joy but I’m going to be a little more cautious. Firstly, it was Stoner’s contention when he left the team that they never listened to or acted on the feedback he gave them. This will have had to change with the new management. My main concern, however, is that I worry about just how useful his feedback will be for the team, given that he was the only rider who could ride the bike back then anyway. With 3 other riders depending on his testing expertise, of how much use will the data be when no Ducati GP rider has the same style and (probably) ability as Stoner has. Hopefully they won’t end up with a bike that Stoner thinks is excellent but is unrideable for the other pilots.
My initial verdict on my new Bell helmet is that is is very comfortable and has a very good aperture, allowing for good peripheral vision and up and down visibility. The inner tinted shield is good but cannot be flipped up by hand; the toggle must be used to raise and lower it. However, the helmet appears to be a fair bit noisier than my previous Vemar helmet so the jury is still out.
The hot weather brings out the “squids” and one fell victim just near my place while I was away last weekend. 18 years old, unlicenced, no protective gear on a mate’s “borrowed” Gixxer 1000. Lost control, clipped the median strip then a car then ended up under another car. Helicopter ride to hospital with multiple injuries. Words fail me.
The news during the week of the overdue overhaul (two “overs” in a row – wow) of the Australian Superbike Championship shows that, finally, our premier championship looks to be heading in the right direction. With former International, Peter Goddard and Multiple World Superbike champion, Troy Bayliss on board, it’s looking great. I wish it every success.
Ride safely and I’ll catch you soon.