As title, any stories you have of meeting bike racers and wether it changed your opinion of them; past and present? when I was a (younger) lad I met quite a few, Niall mckenzie, Neil hodgeson, foggy, hislop, loads and loads. For me I couldn’t quite believe how arrogant foggy actually was in real life, I thought it was all just a front of character for racing but it really wasn’t. Ever since I’ve always picked up the arrogance in his interviews (tt - foggy v hislop) kind of spoilt it for me with him. Definitely one of my hero’s growing up. Hizzy on the other hand, was nothing short of a gent when I met him, a true people person who had enough time for his fans. What are your stories?
My Dad met Foggy about 20 years ago at Donnington, he still mentions it whenever Foggy pops up in conversation or on the tele. He says exactly the same as you mate, one of those most horrible and arrogant people he's ever met. Nowadays he's just a gun for hire to whichever manufacturer wants him as an ambassador....CCM/Triumph etc, I'm quite surprised anyone gives him the time of day.
When he went in the jungle I honestly thought he would have been voted out first. I was actually shocked he won, you can’t take his achievements away from him and I respect him for that, but I don’t think I’d want to go for a pint with him
I have met so many so called celebs over the years, but very few ever live up to expectation. A few exceptions however. Pele. I have met him a couple of times and what a gent he is. He was my boyhood footballing hero and having met him, he went up even further in my estimation. Barry Sheene. I stopped him once and came out with the usual crap of "Who do you think you are? Barry Sheene?" "Erm, Yes!" was the reply as he took off his helmet. Long story short, really nice guy, had a long chat at the side of the road and then I worked with him in the following years on various road safety projects and we became friends. Another who did not care for this so called celebrity status, but was down to earth and a real diamond. Chris Tarrant the presenter. He was involved in a crash many years ago on the M4 at Windsor. Nothing too serious, but his wife at the time was heavily pregnant, so we got her to safety, arranged the recovery and got him to local car rental so he could continue his journey which was only down the road to Reading where (Both of us) live. Anyway, a week or so later we got a very nice hand written letter from him thanking me and my partner for the courtesy we extended to him and is wife and polite way we looked after them both after a traumatic incident. About 2 years ago I was filling up with fuel when he came into the same garage (this was before he was disqualified ) and as we were queuing up to pay I complimented him on the railway series he had done. He looked at me and said "You look familiar" so I explained that we had met before and where. The penny then dropped and he shook me by the hand and insisted on buying ne a coffee and we ended up having a very enjoyable chat for about 45 minutes over a coffee (I am teetotal hence why nothing stronger was involved). Really nice guy. Some so called celebs have been arrogant and pig ignorant. Cozy Powell (For those that follow rock music) for example. Couple of MoTD commentators One particular member of the Royal family who is no longer with us... The list goes on.
Sorry, I just realised that it was about biker hero's and apart from the obvious one, I went off at a tangent. I do apologise... Teach me to read the title properly
no apologies necessary, the same sentiment can be for celebs in general. Loved reading the stories anyway
In the 90s my mates and me used to ride around Europe year on year watching WSB, and without fail the biggest tool you would ever meet is Foggy, plan and simple, head and shoulders in twatism above the rest. Don’t disagree he could ride a bike OK, but it stops there.
Didn't take to Josh Brookes at all, he's arrogant and goby. John Mcguiness and Nial Mackenzie, proper gents and really nice to talk to. I also met Nial's son Taylor when he was about 13, lovely lad, and quick we were at Snetterton on an evening track day
John McGuinness sometimes hangs around Devils Bridge early on a Sunday, he's a good crack , love's to talk bikes and full of one liners
Agreed Josh Brookes is a bell end....... At Oulton this year during pit lane walkabout we waited to get autographs and he refused to sign a poster 'to Daniel' my son, who was the one actually asking for it...... He said its to busy to write 'to' someone!!!! TIT
He also has a habit of making snide remarks about whoever is beating him, I recall him slagging off Shakey and more recently Scott Just makes him look stupid. The rest of the BSB grid seem pretty decent down to earth fellas apart from him
Grand Prix Legend Randy Mamola, one of the best riders never to win a championship..... But a really top guy with loads of time for the fans!! An extremely young and fresh faced skinny PauloHRC circa year 2000
Met foggy when he was supposed to be supporting and offering advice to the 848 riders when my daughters boyfriend was in it proper up his own arse not once did get speak to any of them until the camera came round all show....Shakey brillant ....Hickman down to earth and bumped into Tommy Bridewell at Moto rapido great bloke ...most are is how you come across as well .
Met Foggy in St Ann's Square Manchester one Christmas, he was stood watching a street act. Managed to scavenge some paper and a pen from a Bar and got his autograph, this was again about 20 years ago...... He was pretty accommodating but I suppose people were watching so he had to be haha
