Fastest motorcyclists behind the wheel? - Ducati.ms

Dunlop · Jul 17th, 2011, 11:22 pm

In short I talked to my old boss this weekend who deals directly with a Formula race team and has had the chance to drive against a lot of other racers. Valentino Rossi's name is mentioned and my boss quickly claims that both Rubén Xaus and Fonsi Nieto are better behind the wheel ...

Who are some other quick converted motorcyclists behind the wheel that you know of? Travis Pastrana and Mick Doohan's names immediately came to mind can you think of anyone else?

mduc · Jul 18th, 2011, 12:08 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dunlop

In short I talked to my old boss this weekend who deals directly with a Formula race team and has had the chance to drive against a lot of other racers. Valentino Rossi's name is mentioned and my boss quickly claims that both Rubén Xaus and Fonsi Nieto are better behind the wheel ...

Who are some other quick converted motorcyclists behind the wheel that you know of? Travis Pastrana and Mick Doohan's names immediately came to mind can you think of anyone else?

Long before all of the above was Johnny Cecotto. He is a motorcycle world champion who raced in the 250cc,350cc(1975 World Champion) and 500cc classes. He won in all 3 classes but was World Champion only in the 350cc class.
He went on to race in F2 from 1980 to 1982 and in F1 in '83 and'84. He was Ayrton Senna's team mate at Toleman back in '84. He later went on to race European Touring cars. He had great success in Touring cars and won three Championships driving for BMW.

Not saying Johhny was the fastest in F1, but he is amongst the very few that competed both in World Championship Motorcycle racing and in F1. Other than him you would have to go back to Mike Hailwood and go way back to John Surtees who won several Motorcycle World Championships and is the 1964 F1 World Champion. Surtees is the only person on the planet to ever win a Motorcycle World Championship ( won 7) and a F1 World Championship(1) . Very Impressive.

Tard · Jul 18th, 2011, 2:36 am

Aussie Wayne Gardner, ( 1987 500cc MotoGP Champion), moved to touring car racing when he retired from bikes in '92.
He raced in our touring car series down under, (known now as our V8 Supercar series), and had his own team for a while. He had a win here and there and a few podiums, but never did exceedingly well. I remember him being quite aggressive as a four wheel racer and crashing a lot.
He also raced in the the Japan touring car series for several years and did OK finishing in the top ten quite often in a Toyota Supra.

Rob998 · Jul 18th, 2011, 3:33 am

John Surtees.

350CC Motorcycle Grand Prix World Champion: 1958, 1959, 1960
500CC Motorcycle Grand Prix World Champion: 1956, 1958, 1959, 1960

Formula One World Champion: 1964.

NYSport · Jul 18th, 2011, 6:37 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tard

Aussie

Wow it didn't see that coming....

TheNibbler · Jul 18th, 2011, 2:24 pm

Mike Hailwood

Tard · Jul 18th, 2011, 6:21 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by NYSport

Wow it didn't see that coming....

Well seeing that word gets so much attention around here, I'll be using it as often as possible.

DucmanST3 · Jul 18th, 2011, 8:29 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by mduc

go way back to John Surtees who won several Motorcycle World Championships and is the 1964 F1 World Champion. Surtees is the only person on the planet to ever win a Motorcycle World Championship ( won 3) and a F1 World Championship(1) . Very Impressive.

'nuff said end of story full stop period

mduc · Jul 18th, 2011, 10:10 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tard

Aussie Wayne Gardner, ( 1987 500cc MotoGP Champion), moved to touring car racing when he retired from bikes in '92.
He raced in our touring car series down under, (known now as our V8 Supercar series), and had his own team for a while. He had a win here and there and a few podiums, but never did exceedingly well. I remember him being quite aggressive as a four wheel racer and crashing a lot.
He also raced in the the Japan touring car series for several years and did OK finishing in the top ten quite often in a Toyota Supra.

Terry,
Thanks for that info as I never knew Gardner raced Touring cars. It's probably because I followed European Touring cars since I raced cars in Europe for over 5 years. The biggest race I ever did was the 24 Hours of Nurburgring and I did it 3 times(1999, 2000, and 2001) . It's when I met most of the European Touring car aces since they were all in that race. I tell all the folks to race on that track at night in the rain and then you can tell me you have driven on it.

Below is a pic of me dropping into the famous Karrussel corner during the 24Hour Race on the Nordschleife. The Best of Times for sure!!!

cb4265 · Jul 18th, 2011, 10:25 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tard

Well seeing that word gets so much attention around here, I'll be using it as often as possible.

AUSSIE Greg Hansford, also raced V8 supercars, which unfortunately claimed his life.

Casey Stoner is member of our local go kart club, I will no doubt try his hand at cars when finished on two wheels.

Barry Sheene raced trucks with great sucess too!