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/127746
Inaugural MIA ARIZONA also like to help the young people by fonuing a motocross school. In your opinion, what was Chiodi's mistake in the championship? I think he didn't resist the strong psychological pressure we both had to suffer during the last GP in Germany. What do you think about Jimmy Button? Jimmy is a very nice person, and a good motocycle racer, too. In Germany, after the race he gave me a nice present: a number plate with the number one drawn on it. He's also very kind. Fancy that he helped me mow the lawn on my track. Sometimes "'le train together, too. I get on well with him. Of course, he's not as materialistic as his American colleagues. Unfortunately he paid much for his first year of GP - he's all alone in a country (Italy) without knowing the language, you know, and his girlfriend and parents are far away. I think it has been quite hard for him, but if he takes to the European life, next year he will certainly race very well. Have you any friends among the motorcycle racers? They are acquaintances more than friends, because there isn't a real friendship among racers. I have been racing for 10 years and I know almost everyone, so I can say that I am a "friend" of everyone. What kind of relationship do you have with your fans? A very good one in spite of my misadventures (bad season in '94). This year in particular I notice that I had a big group of fans who followed me in every race. Do you admire any American or European riders? The Americans are very strong in indoor competitions, whereas we, the Europeans, are better in outdoor competitions. To tell the truth, I prefer the lalter type of race because it's my kind, so if I must choose a name it's a European one: I hold Stefan Everts in high esteem. Since last year, what has changed in your life? My life changed thoroughly since last year, both privately and in racing. In 1994 I decided to give up with motocross definitely, this year I'm a world champion again; last year I was married with Claudia, this year we are separated and my new partner Daniela is going to have a baby in a few months. As you can see, in one year everything has changed. What did you do after winning the championship? I needed some days to relax and unload the tension and the stress I had in me, so I went to the seaside with Daniela and then I came home to Monte Carlo. Do you have any hobbies? Yes. I like to fly - with any object - but particularly with a helicopter. I also like to drive rally cars. How much did you make this year? (Smiling) About $216,500, a hundredth of (Michael) Schumacher's earnings to race in Fl. On August 20 you fell not from a bike you were riding, but from a helicopter you were piloting. Could you tell us what happened? . As I said earlier, I'm fond of flying. I had hired a helicopter and I was piJoting it n'ear my house. Suddenly, the engine stopped running and I began falling. I tried to keep calm and I succeeded in making an emergency maneuver of "auto-rotation." I landed in a meadow, but it was sloping and I overturned more than once. (Smiling) I destroyed the helicopter completely, but as you can see, I am unhurt. I was really lucky, it could have been much worse. 0 SUPERBIKE CLASSIC I PI...ell•• 'F MIA PrtoIlAa". Brought to you by: o Apache Honda Western Honda Sunnyslope Honda Metro Motorsports o Town & Country o o o Motorsports SEPTEMBER 22-24, 1995 FIREBIRD INTERNATIONAL RACEWAY CHANDLER, ARIZONA • 7 EXCITINEi RACESI • MEET THE TOP RIDERS - at the Autograph SessIon • Progre5shte ll15urance H-D SuperTINIIuI • CHECK OUT THE IiREAT MANLJFACTLJRERPS MIDWAY • Superblke . • HP4 EiDD Superliport • RIDE AROLJND THE TRACK • 75D Super!iport - • 'i!5 iii i!5D Eirand PrIx !iunday Only • SPECIAL MQTDRCYCLE PARKlNEi • SuperTeanJ5 TICKETS Available at Dillard's (602) 678-2222, Firebird Raceway & these Participating Phoenix Area Motorcycle Dealers APACHE HONDA' METRO HONDA' SUNNYSLOPE HONDA· TOWN & COUNTRY MOTORSPORTS· WESTERN HONDA' BUDDY STUBBS HARLEY-DAVIDSON CHOSA'S HARLEY-DAVIDSON' VALLEY KAWASAKI For INFO Call Firebird Raceway (602) 268-0200 Race West Productions, Inc. (714) 632-7070 0 3 DAY GEN. ADMISSION· $25 ADVANCE SALE • PADDOCK PASS - $5 Want Ad information -(310) 427-7433 STOP! SAVE IT with a sleeve from DON'T TRASH THAT WORN CHROME PLATED CYLINDER L.A. SLEE'E CO. Los Angeles Sleeve Co. has sleeves for most popular makes and models of motorcycles and ATV's. We also stock piston kits, rebuilt cylinders and Big Bore kits. For more information contact: LOS ANGELES SLEEVE CO., INC. 12051 Rivera Road, Santa Fe Springs, CA 90670 (310) 945-7578 Ph 310·531·1619-Fax 310·531·3524 FAX (310) 698-7029 Dealers call or write for your 'ree catalog and decals 13