You might be forgiven for thinking that I am forsaking my motorcycle passion for car racing but, trust me I’m not. There is a strong motorcycle and motorcycle racing theme here so please stick with me.
I don’t follow V8 car racing; the derision that I hold for this contrived piece of nonsense is really impossible to express, let alone measure. However, while out visiting on Sunday I happened to see one of the races from Melbourne and was delighted to see that it was won by a young, 20 year old Broc Feeney (above).
Now, as I say, I don’t follow the category but you’d have to be hiding under a rock to miss the constant media attention to it so I have known about this kid for some time but this was the first time I have actually seen him race. And, he raced very well.
So, what is the motorcycle connection? Well, Broc is the son of former motorcycle racer, Paul Feeney and Paul’s story is as interesting as that of his son’s.
I first encountered Paul when he joined CRRC back in 1978. At the time he was racing as the sidecar passenger to the soon-to-be NSW Champion, Ray Spence, and he was, as most sidecar competitors are, as tough as teak.
Paul relinquished the chair on the outfit when he was offered a ride on Ross Hannan’s superbike that became available when its incumbent rider, Graeme Crosby, went overseas to race. Laurie Nichols took Paul’s place and the pairing won the NSW Title in 1980.
Paul had a great ride on the Hannan bike and made quite a name for himself on it.
In 1985 he won the Castrol Six Hour Race on a Yamaha, paired with Richard Scott (pictured here)
My recall of what Paul was doing in the next years is limited but then I read in the motorcycle media that he had been appointed as the Australian distributor for MV Agusta motorcycles, operating out of his bike shop in Nerang, Queensland.
As part of the famous (infamous) “Ride that shall not be mentioned” my mate Damien and I visited the shop in 2006. Paul was very welcoming and we swapped yarns about the racing days. As you know, because you will have read the blog entry, Paul arranged an extended test ride for DZ and myself on a 750 Brutale and an F4i sports bike. What a buzz that was.
I met up with Paul at a later Sydney Motorcycle Show and, again, it was great to catch up with old mates. Not long afterwards he relinquished the MV gig and I’m not quite sure what he did with his time until I started noticing his name being mentioned in the press in connection with the exploits of his young boy who was making quite a name for himself racing cars.
And, so, the wheel has turned the full circle. From 3 wheels, to 2 to 4. Quite a journey.
Here’s the proud dad on the podium with his son.
Catch you next time.