Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/127740
. . ,RQADRACE.'ยทยท Riders for Health's Day of Champions elpinq hand (Left) PrlncMa Anne meets World Champion Michael Doohan; PrlnCllllll Anne _ on hand at Donlngton Park for the RIdenI for Health Dey of Champions. By Bruce Scholten Photos by Martha Young-Scholten OONINGTON PARK, ENGLAND, JULY 20 t's come of age." That's how Andrea Coleman, one of the original forces behind Riders for Health (RFH), described their fourth big Day of Champions before the British Grand Prix. About 5000 race fans helped the Grand Prix circus raise a record $80,000 for motorcycle-related programs in sub-Saharan Africa. "Attendance was hard to count because so many people brought kids," she explained. Now dubbed the "traditional" Day of Champions by long-time GP commentator Chris Carter, the annual furid-raiser, like Edison's light bulb, appears to be an idea that's come to stay. That's partly due to the effort and input from GP promoters Dorna, IRTA, and Donington Park owner Tom Wheatcroft. "Randy Mamola talks to the racers, the paddock gives it shape and we put it into practice," Andrea Coleman said. A hard-core group of 40 volunteers meets throughout the year and swells to 107 on the Day of Champions. Everyone interviewed at the track knew something about, and supported, Riders for Health's work in Africa. But the best life insurance for the Day of Champions is that it's always tons of fun. Morning began with "Breakfast of Champions" under the marquee tent. Carter mixed orange juice with chitchat from Mamola (possible the fastest, most popular rider to never win a World Championship) and a succession of Grand Prix stars that went on all day. Among them were former World Superbike Champion Scott Russell, the new Lucky Strike Suzuki rider who is under the tutelage of Kevin Schwantz. Also a crowd pleaser was 250cc World Champion Max Biaggi - the "Roman Emperor" and a natural ham, alternately tweaking a little girl's nose, or suavely bowing to the microphone. In the nearby arena, well-choreographed stunt teams performed intersecting jumps, stormed a wall of fire, and staged a mock-motocross. One spectator admitted, ''I'm not partial to "I ll') ~ ....... 0\ ..... til t 30 ons is always the opening of the paddock. Niall Mackenzie said: "It's always pretty laid back." There were no frenzied mob scenes. Perhaps that's because so many race fans are themselves involved in at least some level of motorcycling; they are eager to rub shoulders with the stars, but too sensible (or too British) to go nuts about it. This year's Day of Champions got . some royal treatment. At about 2 p.m., Princess Anne emerged from a helicopter to be greeted by a cavalcade of motorcycles. She then joined a walka-' bout of the pits, where Kenny Roberts and the irrepressible Mamola introduced her to future kings like Abe and Russell. Even a visit to the Schwantz family motorhome was fit in: The princess also met many Riders for Health volunteers. T!'ey answered her pertinent questions, particularly about the 200cc BSA four-stroke, which is succeeding the Kawasaki two-stroke in Africa. Security for the royal visit (an important feather in the Riders for Health hat) limited public access to the pits, compared to last year. But fans took it in stride, and GP stars signed extra autographs in the infield. Anyone feeling lucky could buy a o (Right) Norlfuml Abe I'lIC8S his Yamaha VZF750 against the Formula One car of Ukyo Katayama. (Below - from lett to right) Katayama, Kenny Roberts and Abe PO" for photoa. (Below rlght) Gary Rothwell displayed his wheelle talents to the large crowd on hand. stunt riding, but these guys are impressive." "Impressive" only began the list of adjectives for GSXRII00 stoppie-andwheelie king Gary Rothwell. He recently set a world wheelie record with seven passengers aboard. Rothwell explains that he had the best seat on his Suzuki streetfighter, "because I was on the handlebars." His morning and afternoon shows on the pit lane blew several thousand minds - along with two tormented rear tires. It was quite a day for bread and circuses. One spectacle that had everyone rapt, including 500cc World Champion Michael Doohan, was a drag race between Norifumi Abe and his Yamaha YZR500 and Ukyo Katayama in his Tyrell Yamaha Formula One car. Twowheeled partisans were disappointed when - after lagging initially - the car won each pass. (They'll surely demand a rematch once motorcycle traction control is perfected.) But the braking of the oddly matched vehicles into Redgate Corner thrilled everyone. Katayama's car slowed with the aural violence of shotgun blasts, while Abe exhibited great control - keeping the rubber side down after extreme sideways stoppies. But the heart of the Day of Champi- lottery ticket for a "pillion in a million" la.p around Donington Park - two-up with Mamola. More sedate folks bought bus tickets. Drivers included Biaggi and the relatively silent but deadly Mackenzie. But the coup de grace was the evening auction, where spectators bid on the stars' leathers, boots and underwear (not really). And bid they did. First-timers at the auction were stunned at the thunderous standing ovation accorded newly retired Kevin Schwantz, whose boots fetched a goodly price. One happy customer was John Kilminster, who came from the Isle of Guernsey,