Originally Posted by
youthstream
New Zealander Darryl King is well known in Europe. It was back in the 1990s that King battled the likes of Joel Smets, Andrea Bartolini and his brother Shayne King in the tough 500cc class.
While this era wasn't like the 1980s era of Thorpe, Jobe, Geboers and Malherbe, it was still a strong 500cc class and one of many good guys. King was one of the nice guys in the paddock, but he had a fighter heart and was always close to winning a World title from his biggest rival Smets.
King was good enough to finish in second place twice behind Smets and was also picked in the factory Husqvarna team alongside Stefan Everts in 2000. If you could pick a handful of riders who deserved to win a World title, then Darryl King would be in that five.
Darryl decided to return to action for the FIM Veterans World Cup, and has so far competed in rounds in Faenza and Valkenswaard. Unfortunately due to injuries and bad luck he never got to show his real speed, although he still came with that determination and fire of days gone past. We decided to ask him some questions about his return to the World scenario.
Q: Darryl, so how have you found being back in a World series?
King: I have always loved it. I wanted to return and visit Belgium, where I lived for so many years during my Grand Prix career. I visited the Lommel circuit when I was here, and also trained with Josh Coppins. It is nice to follow how Josh is doing and while I don't always sit up and watch the Freecaster coverage, but I keep and eye on the results and watch what Josh is doing. I also like to keep and eye on a rider like Ken De Dycker who has improved so much in his career and is now a real challenger for the World title.
Q: Tell us about Faenza, your return to action?
King: On the Saturday in practice I hurt my ribs, after that it didn't go so well for me. I should have been able to finish in third or fourth, but due to my injury it didn't happen.
Q: You finished second in the world a couple of times and enjoyed a good career in the World Championship. How do you see the series now, some ten years after your career ended?
King: It is of course a lot more professional now. I can't say too much about how it is run, because I haven't seen too much of the races, just Faenza and Valkenswaard.
Q: What was the highlight of your career?
King: I would say my win in Namur in 1997. It is such a difficult circuit. It was also the season that I finished second to Joel Smets and I really wanted to beat him badly, but he was just quicker on the hard-pack tracks.
Q: What did you do after your GP career ended?
King: I rode six years in Australia, until 2007 actually, then I raced in New Zealand. I am now working with Leatt neck Braces and CTI knee braces, and I also have my own Yamaha motocross team in New Zealand. I also still race a little.
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