Are today’s pilots lazy?
The 350 TZ represents
to the private pilot
what the Fender symbolizes
to the 70’s guitarist.
It’s unavoidable.
They built thousands.
You bought it for 20 000
French francs at that time.
At Mallory Park,
with a 350,
I did 5 race starts
plus the free practice.
With the 350,
I raced in 350, 500, 750
and also the Superbike championship
which was opened
from 250 cc to 750.
The free practice lasted 5 laps.
The qualifying round lasted 5 mn.
At the end of the day,
you would take around 8 starts.
I remembered Victor Soussan
at Nogaro racetrack
who would remove the high part
of the motor and switched
from 250cc to 350 cc.
He changed the cylinder heads
and pistons,
the exhaust systems
during the 2 hours break.
He competed in 2 categories
with the same bike.
Some guys would compete
in 125, 350 or
125, 250, 350
and sometimes 650 cc.
So, in our modern time
where the lazy pilots
only compete in 1 category,
I wanted to know
if it was possible to race
in several races
in only one weekend
with only one bike.
I wanted to know
what was left
from this so called “nice time”.
I took a Yamaha R6,
the TZ of today,
my Peugeot 304, gas and tires.
I tuned my radio
on Europe 1 channel
‘cos “it’s natural”.
I hit the road to
Le Vigeant racetrack
for the Michelin Power Cup.
On the menu
for this 48 hour weekend,
two 600cc supersport races,
a beginner race
and 4 hours endurance race.
Try to know why,
probably for a question
of cylinder head gasket,
it is with a Citroen that I arrived.
It was like old time,
you know how you leave
but not when or how
you will arrive.
We took our time to go from A to B
with a smile.
Quickly I started to prepare
my base camp and observe.
Otherwise,
what experience is for?
Young guys are overexcited,
they ride and ride.
I was calm,
I chose the ultimate weapon,
a R6 Yamaha.
She was designed for racing,
130 Hp at 14 500 rpm,
a very precise and efficient chassis.
With her,
no need to reinvent everything
to reach the podium.
I just added
an Akrapociv exhaust system,
a rear sets control kit
better for racing,
a fairing poly, new handlebar
an Ohlins steering shock absorber
and the brand new GPS chrono
by Alfano.
So, I decided
it was time to roll
as I was there to race like in the 70’s.
First, I add gas,
at 10 bucks a liter;
it became expensive
to ride during all weekend.
After, I added air in the tires.
I was lucky;
the price did not yet increase
but probably in the close future.
I put some nice racing numbers,
the number 70 of course.
And I dressed up
with my awesome suit.
Hmm, dudes were not big at that time.
They just came out of the war
and did not have much to eat.
It can be only for that reason
cos I don’t see
any other unbiased reason.
I went to the unavoidable
technical check up,
an easy step
with my equipment in good order.
Nice suit from the 50’s!
No reference points these young guys,
a real generation
sinking intellectually.
When you fell,
you had a punishment.
Now, it is not that bad to fall.
Hello, my respect Madame
From the 70’s?
I don’t have
a back protector Madame.
We don’t ride
with back protector
in the 70’s. So this is fine?
No, it failed.
Why? What do we need?
They need to be well reinforced.
But, it is reinforced.
There is a sole with leather over it;
and the race suit?
It is perfect?
No, it failed.
So, I started to go for it.
I quickly understood
that it was serious.
Slingshot tire warmer
and mechanics.
Exactly, everything I decided
I will not use
for this week end old school.
Not a big deal because
on the track,
it is probably like before.
Some guys believe
they need to get the pole
at the first lap.
Others try stuff
which does not work out.
Me, I stayed calm
doing what was just necessary
to be qualified for the 600 cc final “A”
and not starting from too far
on the grid for the newbie race
as well as for the endurance race.
You don’t manage
a marathon like a sprint.
I took my time
to cruise on the paddock
to check out
what has changed
since that old time.
Actually, not that much
has changed.
Like before,
some took their time
to repair their own vehicle
in order to return home
before tuning their bike.
A 19 key, oh it is my finger.
2012 or 1972, the dietary
of the pilot is based on
healthy meals,
BBQ and sausages,
or beers and cookies.
Some of the old folks
say it was better before.
I was doing all my mechanics
by myself.
Where did you get the money?
We were all working.
Do you miss the 2 strokes?
Yes, because it was really nice.
Moreover when you crash,
it broke less stuff.
This is heavy, you break a lot!
Now it is a lot of money.
I don’t know how they can do
without their parents support.
Though, within the Michelin Power Cup,
friendliness seems to be
the base of everything.
I grew up with Agostini,
Mike Haywood
and Mike Andrews
because I was living
in a mountain area.
It is nice.
I was intoxicated very young.
So what is left
in the Michelin Power Cup?
You find the passion
that all people bring with them
when they join us.
But about the young culture,
there is a long road to go.
What the 70’s means to you?
Can you name a pilot from the 70’s?
Not Sena, not Sena!
Good question!
Nothing, not much.
Not even an idol,
a champion, a memory?
Your first ejaculation on a 50cc?
Better that.
Rossi.
Rossi is old but not that old.
Wayne Rainey, too late.
No this is the 90's.
You missed 10 years.
Agostini?
Everybody know him,
he is everywhere!
Giacomo, Agostini.
Ok, always the same.
Young guys have a lack of culture.
We are newbies.
I drop the folklore
to get back to work,
to get ready for the races.
First appointment,
Saturday 5.50 pm
for the first final 600cc supersport A.
Qualified 29,
I will start last
because of an ignition trouble
during the warm up lap.
In the front, they struggle,
they fight like before.
For me, I recovered from last
to 29, taking over guys
who were talented.
Arrived, back to the paddock,
no time to doodle.
I just have the time to change tires
in order to avoid
from falling
and to compromise my “season”.
Second race, the newbie one.
Aren’t you tired doing shit races?
Honey,
you are not happy to be here?
No, it sucks.
44 out of 44, it is great!
No, you need to do better.
All bikes are allowed including 1 liter.
It is gonna be tough
with my 600.
But the little Yamaha TZ 350
did the job in 500 and 750.
I kept racing.
Qualified fifth,
quickly I took the second place
chasing a BMW S 1000 RR.
I was very motivated
to go back to the paddock
as soon as possible.
Probably something that
did not change since the 70’s.
Finally, it’s here!
The podium, the glory,
the photographers!
My best time of 1.50 mn/ lap
with a standard bike.
I am sure my honey
is looking forward to see me.
Babe, you did not cook for me?
I love your cooking babe.
It is so good.
Ok, in the 70's
after the women liberation movement,
even if we were
continental circus heroes,
it was tough for us.
I did not lose
my focus and goals.
New tires.
This time,
the forward places are not for me.
I try to save energy
for the 4 hours next endurance race.
22nd at the finish line.
Anyway, I did not have time
to go to the podium
as I need to get ready
for the endurance race.
I will be
with Philippe Arnal,
a good guy,
French vice- champion 80.
We still have the motivation.
It’s obvious.
We were not much,
a dozen.
But in 40 years,
the endurance recipe
did not change.
Add a touch of strategy.
The start line is there not there.
Some guys told me it is crazy.
So, I will see if it is arrogant
or not to race an endurance
after 3 others races.
Go! Move!
A little stressed,
actually, a lot of stress for me.
Some cold blood worthy
of Dominique Melliand.(SERT)
Without the crowd invading
the track 2 minutes before the end,
we would have won that race!
4 races, 2 podiums
in the weekend, 165 laps, 618 Km,
3 pairs of tires, not a single oil drop,
no brake pads.
Anyway, I forgot to check them.
I did not fall cos
I was careful.
The70’s heroes
would have been proud of me.
We deserved that podium
as we finished 6th
but 1st 600cc
on the endurance race.
So I shaved to come back
to our good 2012 period.
I was sure that inside
our promotion league,
little things have changed.
And even with modern bikes,
a talented pilot could
kick the asses of everybody
including all categories.
It would look good today.
Any volunteer?