Reflections of a Rossi fan....

 For anyone who reads my Twitter *insert shameless plug here* I’ve made no secret of the fact that I am a major Rossi fan. I’ve also always loved the Ducati. The sounds that it makes has always been music to my ears, and that ‘popping’ noise is my favourite motorbike noise.

So like Ducati/Rossi fans all over the world, I thought that this would be a match made in heaven, and immediately starting thinking about how awesome it would be to see them on top. And now half way through the season everyone is shaking their heads, and wondering what’s going on.

I can clearly see that there are people especially in Australia, but all over the world that are basking in the glory of Stoner performing, and Rossi not. I don’t think anyone expected it, especially with the team that he has working alongside him. Most of his team have been working with him since his Repsol Honda days, and some of them have been working together since before they worked for Mick Doohan. And quite a few of them are Australian.

Jeremy Burgess has always been very highly regarded in and out of the MotoGP paddock, and his results, like Rossi’s, speak for itself. JB as he’s widely known has worked with so many successful riders, and many of them have attributed their success to how he can set a bike up. I can imagine that the team is feeling pretty deflated, and rightly so, but they shouldn’t forget all the success they have had, and use that to prop themselves up to get them through this hard time.

To the haters, when you are bagging out Rossi, you are bagging out his team. When you are bagging out his team, you are bagging out Australians. You are also bagging out an amazing Chief Mechanic, who is Australian, and who frankly doesn’t deserve your crap.

Before this season I must admit, I was quick to point out faults of other riders, just like I’ve always been quick to point out their strengths. But for the first time I’ve been on the receiving end, and let me tell you it’s not very nice. Through Twitter I’ve also feel that I’m privileged to hear from mechanics and crews in various teams, all of a sudden they are so much more human to me! They’re all great people, who don’t have hearts of steel, and to be honest I’m glad they don’t!

So I have changed my ways, and decided to only be positive. As hard as that can be sometimes, it’s also pretty easy as I don’t want anyone to hear a bad word about a sport I love and am obviously passionate about. It’s ok to talk amongst ourselves, but we never know who will be listening…

I know that I will probably get a lot of crap over this, people telling me that I’m soft, I have an ulterior motive. This year has opened my eyes to what it’s like not supporting a winner, and I’ll be honest, I don’t like it! As a Rossi fan since 1996 there hasn’t been a lot of times where he hasn’t been successful. I have always said though after his accident last year it would be very interesting to see what he did, and no one can say it’s been boring!

Saying all this though, I will be proudly wearing my fan club hat and shirt at Phillip Island, and shouting myself hoarse! Don’t forget, it’s the home track for a lot of his team too. And I know that he will get back up there, victory will be that much sweeter after everything that Rossi and the team have gone through!

www.twitter.com/revvin_renee

Moving and Looking Forward

I'm sure it's not news to you that Australia lost a big personality in the motorcycle industry a few weeks ago, Ken Wootton. It's surprised me how deeply effected I was by this, and the sadness that I felt. I met Ken at the Australian MotoGP in 1999 when I was 15, and went with dad. Earlier that year Valentino Rossi had 'tweeked' Fred Gassit's goolies, and I was determined to do the same thing. (Fred Gassit is a cartoon character from Australian Motorcycle News, and looks like a dog. Every now and then 'Fred' would pop up at a MotoGP somewhere, if you haven't seen his classic lines, I'd recommend you check him out!)


Dad and I hunted Fred down at in the expo tent, and while I was getting my photo taken with him dad said "now go for the goolies!" The man in the suit was very surprised I think, this 15 year old girl doing something her idol had done, her knowing about it, and her dad encouraging it! I also managed to get kisses on the cheek from about 8 riders that weekend, as dad patiently waiting in the autograph cue with me, once again encouraging me to live my dream, not to mention taking photos of all of it!


On the Sunday we saw the 'Gassitmobile', and Ken was standing close by. I sneaked into the drivers seat for a quick photo before Ken came around the corner just as I hopped out. He recognised me, grabbed both my hands, and started almost doing the tango. "Keep those hands where I can see them, I know all about you", he laughed as dad took a photo.


That is the only time I've met Ken, but that brief moment where he made me feel included, almost into a secret club, and spoke to me about the Grand Prix (as I must remember it was called in those days!), he left an everlasting impression about people who are in the industry. I also know that I've been to events that he has tirelessly fought for, and my dad has raced in events that he's created.


I feel like he's done so much, and I'm eternally grateful for it. I also feel like there are impossible boots to fill... but can I fill some of them?


This is an industry I'm always saying I love, and will fight passionately for. But I need to start putting my money where my mouth is, and do something with all this passion that I have. I'm still not sure what that is, but I think it has to start online, and also has to start with me volunteering at more events.


All I know is that I need to start doing something. I tried to find Ken at the Australian MotoGP last year, but he hasn't in his garage when I walked passed. I wanted to tell him I'm still coming here, 11 years later, and even by myself as I have no one to go with... but I still love this event. Tell him how 1999 made such a difference in my life, and maybe do the tango for old times sake  :P


If anyone has any ideas on what I should do to unleash this passion I have inside me, I'd love to hear your thoughts.


In the mean time, I am going to keep on writing in here in the build up to the Australian MotoGP... only 66 more sleeps!!