What current racer inspires you most?

[Joni]

For me, for what it’s worth, it’s Dave Annan with my partner Kickaha a close second. For me, they are what sidecar racing is about.

Dave works so hard behind the scenes to support so many outfits and get them out there racing.... he never bitches or moans, he just plugs on and does what it takes to ensure the sport keeps growing.

Kickaha has helped and supported so many people to get them started in racing (bikes and chairs)... without him many people would not be racing as they are now.

Edit: and in bikes it would be Dom Jones!

[scracha]

Well Goblin got me interested in it and I'm secretly in awe of Tom when he manages to keep it rubber side down.

[ajturbo]

I look up to all of those that get on with racing to the best of their ability.

thanks... I'M finally recognized!!

but everyone here that is mentioned has helped me in some way, weather they know it or not!! (most of them not)

[Ivan]

Now I have few not just one.

Like Shaun he is one he still carrys on in there even tho he is not racing now, his help to all young riders he helps is great it means alot.

Jay Lawrence is one of my all time favs, Since my very first Bucket race back in 2003 I have had alot of Respect for him he taught me how to hang off the bike and got me into 125 GP racing

Craig is also one of my Favs Nice as guy and extremly fast rider.

theres also many more,

But pretty much my respect goes to anyone out there how fast they are, the thing is they are out there giving it there best go and thats whats great to see

[speedracerjimmy]

johnny hepburn...He was a hard charger.I remember watching him ride way before i started.he used to always wheelie the back straight at the end of a race.He also helped me out a couple of seasons ago big time..he is one guy that is in it for the sport as well.

guys like shaun harris.craig sheriffs,dennis charlett.they where the top guys when i started.so i looked up to them as well

[GSVR]

Ginger Molloy. And he's still racing as far as I know.

[skidMark]

Let's talk local riders or someone you know or interact with. I mean, we all wanna rdie like Rossi but it pays to have acheivable short term goals.

For me it was Shaun Harris and Lance Lowe. Opposite ends of the spectrum but with each their own merrits.

Shaun, on the back of his 600cc Sports Production title I was impressed by the determination. Also wickedly apparent in his TT rides.

Lance, for his never ceasing showmanship and crowd pleasing antics. Wanted to be just like him.

Unfortunately retirement and inhave kept both out of competitive riding for the time being.

So right now I reckon Craig Shirriffs is the man I can learn most from. FIERCE competitor, but a nice down to earth bloke with advise to share if you're humble enough to ask.

So who do you reckon is the rider you're hoping to battle with soon and rise to their level?

Me cus i iz fastor den all of youse au!

(the flying ginger, aka glen williams in reality) he rides a suzuki at the moment though...

...then again who doesn't....

**mutters something about gixxers being like tampons**

every cunt has one.

Then again he rides an SV, so hes forgiven, at least it's a v twin...

[DEATH_INC.]

For me woulda been Simon Crafar in his SBK days.
Nowadays there's this local skinny little bloke that could teach me a thing or two I reckon....

[koba]

I'm with Glen on this one, firmly on the fence.

I think the thing that has inspired me most is that while there are stars and standout performers EVERY motorcycle racer I have met seems to be in it for a geniune love of the sport and fellow compeditors, so for me it is the social dynamic of hundreds of good bastards showing up on the same day to have a good fang that is so inspiring.

Keep it up Ladies and Gentlemen!

[svr]

After watching John Kocinski at Daytona and Wayne Rainey at Laguna in '89 I took up racing. They were clearly the fastest road racers around. It was `inspiring' to see motorcycles ridden that fast - you say, ok thats the physical limits, that is the benchmark.
The problem is that, at the world level, it is very difficult for someone who is the best at what they do to be (remain) an admirable human being. Are you inspired by the racer or the person? Carl Fogarty or nice guy Aaron
Slight?
This is gonna be unpopular but if you're looking for inspirational human beings you might want to look elsewhere - plenty of people devote their lives to selfless causes and lets face it, racing a motorbike is pretty much the most selfish thing you can do...

The good thing about nz rr ing is the lack of celebrity - Our best are still of the people i.e. one of us. The Craig Sherriffs etc have all done it tough and know that bike racing is intrinsically humbling, they know that one mistake and someone else might be wiping their arse for 2 months.

Oh, so Lorenzo, Pedrosa and Dovisio - 3 Kocinski's in one era, bring on the next 5 yrs.
And the fastest Road Racer in the world - Bruce Anstey (I have a piece of broken fairing with his tyre mark in my shed - what am I bid?)

[Hinny]

Oh, so Lorenzo, Pedrosa and Dovisio - 3 Kocinski's in one era, bring on the next 5 yrs.

What a bummer for each of them that there is so much talent around at the same time.
I'm picking Pedrosa to take the title as he has been there long enough to know that consistency wins titles and to win you have to finish.
The championship is really so open tho' as there are so many riders still that could take the title.

[carver]

Rossi (still) Evil Knevil, Steve McQueen, and barry sheene.

racing is best done on public roads though

[svr]

What a bummer for each of them that there is so much talent around at the same time.

There will be more and more riding talent appearing at the world level now that there is so much corporate money there. More mainstream, more talent, less admirable people, like any other sport?

[Goblin]

Let's talk local riders or someone you know or interact with...


So who do you reckon is the rider you're hoping to battle with soon and rise to their level?

What a bummer for each of them that there is so much talent around at the same time.
I'm picking Pedrosa to take the title as he has been there long enough to know that consistency wins titles and to win you have to finish.
The championship is really so open tho' as there are so many riders still that could take the title.

You know Danny well then? You really hope to battle with him and rise to his level?

[Coyote]

Sketchy Racer

I think getting to his level is possible. He's only been riding a bit longer than me, and soon I'll have the money to keep myself racing