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/1515496
This had left a top-level British team of dedicated mechanics high and dry. Garry, until then involved on the periphery, used his combination of determination, political nous, commercial savvy and deceptively persuasive charm to ensure that the England-based Suzuki team did not die. With sometimes reluctant sup - port from British importer Heron Suzuki (director Dennis Rohan was a vital ally), Taylor kept Suzuki as a force to be reckoned with in grand prix racing, in spite of the factory's departure. It involved more than just keeping a crack pit crew off the dole queue. Diplomacy and influence with race-steeped al - lies within the factory ensured a trickle of parts necessary to keep the obsolescent RG500 square-four vaguely competitive. Taylor also commissioned a rev - olutionary carbon honeycomb- sandwich chassis, nicknamed "the cardboard box," years ahead of its time, and secured Skoal Bandit sponsorship. Finally, he hand-picked rising British riders Rob McElnea and later Niall Mackenzie alongside Australian Paul Lewis, giving them their first chance in the premier class. Suzuki returned in 1987 with the new V4 RGV, still a rough prototype, and Schwantz came for a handful of rides alongside Kenny Irons. The business really began in 1988, with Schwantz full-time and W hen Garry Taylor, former manager of the Suzuki Grand Prix team, died on January 30 at the age of 74, it marked the end of an era. Taylor was the last British team man- ager in motorcycle GP racing, at the head of the last England- based factory team. He was also a noted paddock character, a gifted raconteur, an important talent-spotter, and the instantly recognizable figure who not only worked with Barry Sheene at the height of his fame but also with Kevin Schwantz throughout the Texan's glittering grand prix career. Finally, he took on Kenny Roberts Junior, giving Suzuki an unexpected last two-stroke title, and the first by the son of a former champion. To many inside racing, the affable and unflappable English - man's most notable success, showing a core of steely deter- mination, was achieved by keep- ing the Suzuki team alive and a major player for three years after the factory pulled out abruptly at the end of 1983. P110 CN II IN THE PADDOCK BY MICHAEL SCOTT Garry Taylor (right) chats with a young John Hopkins in 2004. Taylor was instrumental in Suzuki's 500cc and early MotoGP four-stroke successes. PHOTOGRAPHY BY GOLD & GOOSE GARRY TAYLOR OBITUARY