Michael Schumachers bike racing progress
Discussion
Finished 3rd in a race in Hungary alongside 2007 German SBK Champ Martin Bauer and ex-WSBK's Andy Meklau.
Autosport said:
After testing a Ducati MotoGP bike last year in Valencia, seven time world champion Michael Schumacher again proved he was almost as fast on two wheels as he was on four, when he finished third in a bike race, held at the Hungarian track of Pannonia-Ring on Thursday.
Although the majority of the 27 bikers who entered the 10-lap race were enthusiastic amateurs, 39-year-old Schumacher faced some tough competition, as his teammate at the Holzhauer Racing Promotion team was none other than 2007 IDM (Internationale Deutsche Motorradmeisterschaft) Superbike Champion Martin Bauer. An other IDM rider, Andy Meklau, was also on the grid.
Schumacher, apparently competing just for fun, and wearing his orange overalls and black helmet familiar from the Ducati tests, arrived at the Pannonia-Ring, a 4,740 metres long track near the Hungarian village of Ostffyasszonyfa, late afternoon on Wednesday.
He then completed only a handful of laps, but went on to claim pole position for the race on Thursday, although it has to be noted the professional IDM riders' bikes didn't have timing transponders and were relegated to the back of the grid.
Instead of starting from pole, Schumacher - riding an 1000 ccm Honda Superbike - decided to join them on the last row, but then made his way up the field to finish third behind fellow Honda racer Bauer and Meklau, who was on a Suzuki. All three competed in the 600+ ccm category.
Schumacher's best lap of 2:01.309 was about six seconds slower compared to what his professional rivals were capable of, but was still 0.6 seconds quicker than anyone else could manage in the course of the race.
Although Schumacher's presence was mostly unexpected, some 250-300 people still turned up to watch the race. But they were left a bit disappointed when their hero, shying away from making a public appearance, decided not to attend the podium ceremony.
Odd not to do the podium but I guess he just wanted to race and not cause a fuss and take away some of the attention from the other racers, but with so few people there I'd have thought he would have turned up to it.Although the majority of the 27 bikers who entered the 10-lap race were enthusiastic amateurs, 39-year-old Schumacher faced some tough competition, as his teammate at the Holzhauer Racing Promotion team was none other than 2007 IDM (Internationale Deutsche Motorradmeisterschaft) Superbike Champion Martin Bauer. An other IDM rider, Andy Meklau, was also on the grid.
Schumacher, apparently competing just for fun, and wearing his orange overalls and black helmet familiar from the Ducati tests, arrived at the Pannonia-Ring, a 4,740 metres long track near the Hungarian village of Ostffyasszonyfa, late afternoon on Wednesday.
He then completed only a handful of laps, but went on to claim pole position for the race on Thursday, although it has to be noted the professional IDM riders' bikes didn't have timing transponders and were relegated to the back of the grid.
Instead of starting from pole, Schumacher - riding an 1000 ccm Honda Superbike - decided to join them on the last row, but then made his way up the field to finish third behind fellow Honda racer Bauer and Meklau, who was on a Suzuki. All three competed in the 600+ ccm category.
Schumacher's best lap of 2:01.309 was about six seconds slower compared to what his professional rivals were capable of, but was still 0.6 seconds quicker than anyone else could manage in the course of the race.
Although Schumacher's presence was mostly unexpected, some 250-300 people still turned up to watch the race. But they were left a bit disappointed when their hero, shying away from making a public appearance, decided not to attend the podium ceremony.
And balls of steel as the last thing I'd have thought the multi-millionaire former "been there, bought the T-shirt 7 times" ex-F1 world champ would do is risk his safety in bike racing. Perhaps he has the need for speed or excitement to satisfy.
I recall Didier Pironi taking up offshore powerboat racing after quitting F1 and killing himself within a very short time. And F1 Zandvoort 1973 hero David Purley taking up acrobatic flying after quitting F1 and crashing into the water off Bognor Regis in 1985.
I recall Didier Pironi taking up offshore powerboat racing after quitting F1 and killing himself within a very short time. And F1 Zandvoort 1973 hero David Purley taking up acrobatic flying after quitting F1 and crashing into the water off Bognor Regis in 1985.
I'd be interested to know the difference between a fast track day rider and a professional around that circuit. While it is impressive that he was quicker than everyone else in the race, his team mates were 6 seconds a lap quicker (unless I reading the article wrongly). 6 seconds is a lap is an absolute age. Not wanting to deride his achievement, but I'm not going to jump on the 'He's a God' bandwagon. Me thinks he had a big machine advantage over most of the competitors.
Yes, he is slower than the pro's but still quicker than amateur racers who's goal it is to be a pro. He still has to be good to beat them and I'm sure that's down to his race head. Yes he's no 2 wheel god but it's still worthy or praise. As I mentioned most retired F1 champs either take an easy GT/Touring Car drive (or Mansell doing 2 years in CART, then retirement) but I've never known one to start bike racing, for fun!
Love 'im or hate 'im i think it shows Schumacher is a true racer through and through...
I don't think its something you can just switch off.. its in the blood!
Quite a talented chap tho as i've got mates who are quick in cars but cant get their heads round these leavers and twisty grip things on bikes.
I don't think its something you can just switch off.. its in the blood!
Quite a talented chap tho as i've got mates who are quick in cars but cant get their heads round these leavers and twisty grip things on bikes.
Blimey he's getting about a bit!
And riding a real variety of machinary. Saw this a few days ago.
http://www.visordown.com/motorcyclenews/view/schum...
Fair play to the guy he seems to be wanting to race anything he can get his hands on.
And riding a real variety of machinary. Saw this a few days ago.
http://www.visordown.com/motorcyclenews/view/schum...
Fair play to the guy he seems to be wanting to race anything he can get his hands on.
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