MotoGP champ Abe dies in road crash

[amtravic1]

A sad end for a talented rider.

MotoGP champ Abe dies in road crash
Monday, October 8, 2007 - 8:32 PM
Source: ABC News


Three-time MotoGP winner Norifumi Abe of Japan has been killed in a road accident.

His motorbike collided with a truck that was making an illegal U-turn.

The 32-year-old won three 500cc titles: the Japanese Grand Prix in 1996 and 2000 and the Brazilian Grand Prix in 1999

[Slunnie]

Argh. That is so sad and such a waste. There are so many outstanding motorsportsmen wasted.

Senna
Hansford
Bourne
Brock
McRae + so many others.

and now Abe.

RIP Abe.

[Quiggers]

That's sad, I remember him quite well.

A real character, complete with long dark hair hanging out the back of his helmet...

There's been many more than that, Slunnie, add Baz, Denny Hulme and Graham Hill to the list, and Elio deAngelis and innumerable 2 wheeler racers....sadly too many to remember, lost two of them at the Surfers track about 1985.....

GQ

[rangieman]

Yes sad , but at least he went when doing what he loves best

[Slunnie]

That's sad, I remember him quite well.

A real character, complete with long dark hair hanging out the back of his helmet...

There's been many more than that, Slunnie, add Baz, Denny Hulme and Graham Hill to the list, and Elio deAngelis and innumerable 2 wheeler racers....sadly too many to remember, lost two of them at the Surfers track about 1985.....

GQ
Absolutely GQ. I still recall when Denny died and hearing final call over the marshalls radio at Bathurst. Its astounding that we have people like abe that are so elite at what they do, and that it can be all over from something as silly as a truck making a mindless U turn. :no2:

[Jeff]

I remember his wildcard ride in Japan in 1994 when he set the world on fire. He diced with Doohan and Schwantz all race, looked out of control but kept it up until right near the end. It impressed enough people to get him a full time ride in the world championships.

A great rider and a great character.

Jeff

[Quiggers]

Absolutely GQ. I still recall when Denny died and hearing final call over the marshalls radio at Bathurst. Its astounding that we have people like abe that are so elite at what they do, and that it can be all over from something as silly as a truck making a mindless U turn. :no2:

Slunnie, there's some form of recorded ironic tragedy to this latest death of an 'elite' person (in their respective field), succumbing to a pointless accident, (poor choice of descriptive words by me, sorry)...

Last month Steve Fosset took off for a quick fly in his plane and disappeared. But he did amazing things with hot air balloons...amongst his other world record feats...

Was it General Patton (Cmdr WW2 Euro theater) that was run over by a 'friendly' tank, four days after WW2 ceased?

An astronaut (one of the famed 'test pilots?) of Chuck Yeagers vintage, disappeared (long after retirement from NASA) while ferrying a light plane from the USA west coast to Hawaii?

Uri Gagarin s death also comes to mind...

Probably many more, too.

But I'm not versed in this subject...

RIP Abe...

GQ

[DirtyDawg]

Argh. That is so sad and such a waste. There are so many outstanding motorsportsmen wasted.

Senna
Hansford
Bourne
Brock
McRae + so many others.

and now Abe.

RIP Abe.

Live life on the edge..sooner or later you fall off.

[Dinty]

G'day All, Just to clear up a point Geo Patton was seriously injured (head injuries) in a road vehicle smash between a Caddilac and a Army truck in Germany in 1945, he died from an embolism as a result of that crash, cheers Dennis:wasntme:
PS No one lives forever.

[Redback]

Sad indeed, a great rider and good bloke too from all accounts.

I remember an interview with Nicki Lauder about the dangers of F1 v bikes and his thought were more drivers are killed than motorcycle riders in GPs, but then said that spinal injury was more prevelent in motorcycle racing.

R.I.P. Abe

Baz.

[Cap]

Damn, another one!!! I clearly remember that rider, very much full on when he was on the ball. RIP :(