7.31.2010
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F1...
Then Kamui Kobayashi... you should have been in the points but -me think- poor tactics choices have been made all along the weekend. Too bad.
Well, the race was great to watch, we are waiting the GP in Budapest next... week!
Michel Rougerie...
Michel Rougerie was born 20 April 1950 in Rosny-sous-Bois. Like all kids of modest family, he has to work very young to be able to afford what their parents, despite their good intentions, can not afford to provide it: a motorcycle. Michel managed to save enough money to buy what will be his first real bike: a 350 cm3 that he will carry, in an old van for his first race. For now, he's only eighteen years, Michel dream about competition.
He decide to participate to a race that is reborn from its ashes and that should give him the means to prove what he is capable of : the Bol d'Or.
Rougerie was probably fortunate during this period, the first nod was : Daniel Urdich , a young pilot who was registered with a teammate, noted shortly before the race that his co-pilot had only a license Junior. He therefore propose to Michel to share the handlebars of his machine. Here comes the chance for a second time : the English are on site, with two engines but the official regulations stipulate that only the french pilots may start the race. Christian Vilaseca, Japauto boss, convince the Japanese and Rougerie finds himself riding a factory bike. Others, less talented, probably would not seize it as an opportunity that presented itself. But Michel did not miss and won, amid an atmosphere that is currently reviving the Bol d'Or, his first major victory.
Michel buys for the following season a 125 Bultaco which is, at the time, one of the only competition-private machines. The machine is at least capricious but Michel returns for the '70 Bol d'Or and will finish, because of a stupid battery failure, within eighteen minutes from the winner . For next season, Michel managed to get one of the best machines of the time, a Kawasaki H1R, while signing a contract with the importer in France of Italian Aermacchi. He runned in categories 125 and 350 on the Aermacchi and class 500. If the results are rather poor with small cylinders, Michel knows his first recognition by winning the title of France National Champion 1971 in 500cc. But wisely, convinced that he can't shine in both 125 and 500 cm3, he signed an exclusive contract with the importer Aermacchi in small and medium-sized cylinders. The agreement Aermacchi-Rougerie is extended for 73 with, this time, a very specific goal : Michel wants to conquer the Continental Circus.
1974, Michel renewed his contract but has to deal with the aftermath of a dispute between the importer and the Italian parent. The following year, and because Walter Villa needed a second pilot, Michel is incorporated into the Italian team. From this period dates the astonishing popularity of Michel from Italy because he defended the colors of a national brand and it does so with panache, almost making the equal of their personal idols. This season, thanks to the support of the plant, would certainly be one of the most brilliant for him. Twice winner in Finland and Czechoslovakia ... In addition, the excellent performance of Michel allows Harley Davidson, who bought Aermacchi plant, to win the constructors' title. But personal problems, with Walter Villa, are increasing and getting worse, end of contract in 1976. 
The name of Michel Rougerie is now linked to the Elf oil company and when the mechanic works, Michel Rougerie is the most dangerous pilot: winning the Spanish GP 750, second in the same category in Italy, he finished fourth in the championship which is still the European Championships. The following year, still under Elf colors, Michael became one of the most formidable private pilot of Continental Circus: winner in Spain, second and third in Holland, in Czechoslovakia, he finished fourth in the championship. He has been harassing the untouchable Ballington and his motorcycle factory. 1978, will probably be the most important year of his life. After an early eclectic season, but still significant, Michel sees mid-season immense opportunities. Pat Hennen, another official with Suzuki Barry Sheene was the victim of a very serious accident during the Tourist Trophy, the team manager is seeking a successor for the american pilot. For some races, without anything being made official, Michel can have the factory bike with which, as in 1969 he never missed his first test: several times pole position ahead of all the cream of world speed like Kenny Roberts, Michel fervently hopes he will be the chosen one. Unfortunately, little help from the French importer, and thwarted by the British team who prefers an English driver (it will be Tom Herron) Michel sees the motorcycle escape officially stopped. The next two years for him will be those of the difficulty. At Imola, during a race without much interest in the championship, Michel crashed and what seems begnin will be fraught with consequences: hit in the head, he suffers from constant headaches and visual disturbances that are obviously catastrophic for a racer. He will need to recover and some little minds do not hesitate to call him "finished". But Michel responded, in 1980, with the help of faithful Fargues, recalled to the rescue, to a season technically correct that merely enhancing what has always been for him an almost certainty : in 500cc, more than, elsewhere, there is nothing to do without a factory motorcycle.
In 81 It is during the winter that Michel decides to abandon, at least temporarily, the premier class (500cc) and decided, as part of his new team, Pernod, an association that was likely to bear fruits. In Rijeka, after disappointing early tests, Michael had found the right rhythm and showed some confidence for the race ... But luck, that day, had suddenly decided to abandon him...
Because the accident occurred a few meters from the stands, almost under their eyes, all people of Continental had no more illusions. They had seen Michel get up from a fall and then a few seconds later being hit hard by another motorcycle... nothing, therefore, could not be attempted. Anyone who saw the collision itself, even without the slightest notion of medicine, knew there was nothing to do. Claudio Costa, the Italian doctor of the mobile clinic AGV, and his friend traumatologist were quickly rushed to the hospital in the city: both knew Michel for many years and had often cared for injuries of varying severity. They could confirm the impressions of each witnesses. Cervical broken, rib cage down,... Michel Rougerie died certainly instantly.
Informations via MotoRevue and AppelDePhare
7.24.2010
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