R.I.P Norick Abe
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R.I.P Norick Abe
http://www.japannewsreview.com...=2325
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">‘Legendary rider’ Norick Abe dies in motorbike, truck collision
Norifumi “Norick” Abe, one of Japan’s most successful motorcycle road racers, collided with a truck while riding a motorbike in Kawasaki, Kanagawa Prefecture, and died from the resulting injuries after having been taken to hospital Sunday afternoon, the Asahi Shimbun reports. Abe was 32 years old.
Local police say the collision occurred on a four-lane municipal road, when the driver of the truck made an illegal U-turn, colliding with Abe who was closing in on the truck from behind on its righ-hand side.
The truck driver told police he realized he had mistakenly taken the wrong way, and tried to get back on track.
Norifumi Abe was born to the auto racer Mitsuo Abe, and sat on a bike for the first time when he was 5. After finishing elementary school, he spent two years in the United States, perfecting his skills. He won his first Grand Prix title 1996, and went on to conquer the title twice more.
Abe, who was also known as Norrick Abe in the English-speaking world and as “the legendary rider” in Japan, had many fans in Japan as well as worldwide </TD></TR></TABLE>
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">‘Legendary rider’ Norick Abe dies in motorbike, truck collision
Norifumi “Norick” Abe, one of Japan’s most successful motorcycle road racers, collided with a truck while riding a motorbike in Kawasaki, Kanagawa Prefecture, and died from the resulting injuries after having been taken to hospital Sunday afternoon, the Asahi Shimbun reports. Abe was 32 years old.
Local police say the collision occurred on a four-lane municipal road, when the driver of the truck made an illegal U-turn, colliding with Abe who was closing in on the truck from behind on its righ-hand side.
The truck driver told police he realized he had mistakenly taken the wrong way, and tried to get back on track.
Norifumi Abe was born to the auto racer Mitsuo Abe, and sat on a bike for the first time when he was 5. After finishing elementary school, he spent two years in the United States, perfecting his skills. He won his first Grand Prix title 1996, and went on to conquer the title twice more.
Abe, who was also known as Norrick Abe in the English-speaking world and as “the legendary rider” in Japan, had many fans in Japan as well as worldwide </TD></TR></TABLE>
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Joined: Mar 2003
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From: Săo Paulo, Brazil
Re: R.I.P Norick Abe (big pete)
RIP, a terrible loss for the moto world. 
It goes to show you, no matter how good you are riding, in the street ANYTHING can happen. Be safe out there.
It goes to show you, no matter how good you are riding, in the street ANYTHING can happen. Be safe out there.
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My Name is Nobody
Joined: Jul 2005
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Re: R.I.P Norick Abe (Tornadom)
TOKYO, Japan -- Three-time grand prix winner Norifumi Abe of Japan was killed in a street crash when his 500cc scooter collided with a truck making an illegal U-turn, police said on Monday.
Abe won two grand prix in Japan and another in Brazil.
The 32-year-old ploughed into the truck while it was making the turn in the Tokyo suburb of Kawasaki.
In 1994, while racing in his home championship, he had a chance to race at the 1994 Japanese Grand Prix as a 'wild card'
He was challenging strongly for a remarkable victory until three corners from the finish when he fell off.
His impressed Kenny Roberts' Yamaha team sufficiently to be offered two more rides in the 500cc championship that year.
He finished sixth in both and was given a full-time Grand Prix ride for the 1995 season.
He took his first podium finish in 1995, and his first win and fifth overall a year later. He moved to the D'Antin team in 1999, won at Rio that year, and won again at Suzuka a year later, amidst two seasons on less competitive machinery, in which his solid finishing ensured that his 100% record of top 10 championship finishes continued.
He was less happy under MotoGP regulations but when he was moved to Yamaha's returning World Superbike squad for 2005, despite having less support than Noriyuki Haga and Andrew Pitt, he finished in the championship top 10.
In 2006 he did not make a podium and this year he competed in the All Japan Superbike Championship, again on a Yamaha.
-------------------------------------------
One of the many people amazed by Abe's explosive 1994 Suzuka ride was a young Valentino Rossi, who later adopted the nickname 'Rossifumi' ('Norifumi' was the first name Abe used at the time) in tribute.
"I was struck immediately by this wild-card named Norifumi Abe," Rossi
wrote in his official autobiography What if I had never tried it. "Abe had long straight hair and even when he was standing still, he looked like a great character. But most of all, he rode like a madman. He was absolutely fearless. I think that that day was the fastest race of his life.
"His racing style made me think he was an absolute nutter. He took turns with his steering locked, and often had to keep himself up with his knee. His suit was usually smoking, and he overtook in the most outrageous spots. His steering finally gave out and he fell... But to me, Abe was a hero."
Abe won two grand prix in Japan and another in Brazil.
The 32-year-old ploughed into the truck while it was making the turn in the Tokyo suburb of Kawasaki.
In 1994, while racing in his home championship, he had a chance to race at the 1994 Japanese Grand Prix as a 'wild card'
He was challenging strongly for a remarkable victory until three corners from the finish when he fell off.
His impressed Kenny Roberts' Yamaha team sufficiently to be offered two more rides in the 500cc championship that year.
He finished sixth in both and was given a full-time Grand Prix ride for the 1995 season.
He took his first podium finish in 1995, and his first win and fifth overall a year later. He moved to the D'Antin team in 1999, won at Rio that year, and won again at Suzuka a year later, amidst two seasons on less competitive machinery, in which his solid finishing ensured that his 100% record of top 10 championship finishes continued.
He was less happy under MotoGP regulations but when he was moved to Yamaha's returning World Superbike squad for 2005, despite having less support than Noriyuki Haga and Andrew Pitt, he finished in the championship top 10.
In 2006 he did not make a podium and this year he competed in the All Japan Superbike Championship, again on a Yamaha.
-------------------------------------------
One of the many people amazed by Abe's explosive 1994 Suzuka ride was a young Valentino Rossi, who later adopted the nickname 'Rossifumi' ('Norifumi' was the first name Abe used at the time) in tribute.
"I was struck immediately by this wild-card named Norifumi Abe," Rossi
wrote in his official autobiography What if I had never tried it. "Abe had long straight hair and even when he was standing still, he looked like a great character. But most of all, he rode like a madman. He was absolutely fearless. I think that that day was the fastest race of his life.
"His racing style made me think he was an absolute nutter. He took turns with his steering locked, and often had to keep himself up with his knee. His suit was usually smoking, and he overtook in the most outrageous spots. His steering finally gave out and he fell... But to me, Abe was a hero."
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