Pic from Nomad
6.30.2011
Super Frog...
In the 70's, seeing a Kawasaki adorned with the number 17, the fans of motorcycle racing would immediately think about the pilot with mustache, French Canadian, Yvon Duhamel ... aka "Super Frog" or French "Super Grenouille"
Yvon Duhamel was born in Montreal October 17, 1939. From an early age, Yvon's passion for cycling is there and it goes a stepfurther when, at age 15, he will buy his first motorcycle, a Triumph T 100.At 17, Yvon launches into racing on ice, the following year in dirt-track racing and in 1959 he started on a race track riding a BSA Gold Star.
He races more while helping his brother at the gas station, so that by the mid-60s, people began to talked about him, in class 250, while riding a Yamaha.
It was after these seasons of learning that he can finally enjoy real competition bikes with the Yamaha team Deeley. Also, by lack of trails and bike competitions in a country where the snowmobile is king, Yvon Duhamel decides to run in neighboring States.
In 1967, he ran the "100 miles" from the Daytona, in 250cc, and finished eighth.In 1968, he returned to Daytona and won the 250cc race and finished second in the 200 miles race, riding a Yamaha 350 Deeley, finishing behind the Cal Rayborn Harley Davidson. Strong from this success, he returned to his country to race the Canadian Championship.
Yvon occasionally participates in Dirt Track racing on uncompetitive Yamaha. He obtained is best results in 1968 when racing in Sacremento.
In 1969, he returned to the States, won a victory in Indianapolis and again the Daytona 250 race. As for the "200 miles race", he took the pole position while being the first to achieve a time above the barrier of 150 miles / h. He abandoned the race due to engine problems.
At that time not only his victories attract the eyes of spectators and professionals of motorcycle racing, but his spectacular driving style.
In 1971, he was offered a factory-pilot contract from Kawasaki USA, the Japanese plant seeking an experienced pilot to tame the dreaded three cylinders. That year, he won the Talladega 200 miles. The following year, Yvon Duhamel won the Grand Prix of Canada's Mosport. He also won the race of Road Atlanta and finished second at Indianapolis.In 1973, Yvon Duhamel, along with his partner, Gary Nixon, are one of the first factory-pilot to come racing in Europe. He participated in the famous races of "Series of the match Anglo-American" and winning a victory, finishing second twice and third once, Yvon Duhamel is the best american with the most points scored...
1974 was less auspicious for Duhamel, as in the Series, he can only win at Brands Hatch. And in Formula 750cc, he finished second in the English round behind Paul Smart's Suzuki (he eventually finish sixth overall)
1975 is a good year, he won the Formula 750 and Ontario, he won the Belgian race at Assen. It also reach the third step of the podium of the Bol d'Or, associated with Jean Francois Balde. These two great results in France associated with his good humor and availability have done a lot for the great popularity of Yvon Duhamel in France.
The following year, he renewed his contract with Kawasaki USA for two years, but the factory withdrew its support for the American team. Yvon had little opportunity to run and it was a mediocre year. Its only result was a seventh place at Imola in the Formula 750. Yvon Duhamel turned once more to endurance, and with teammate Jean Francois Balde, he participated for the second straight year at the Bol d'Or in Le Mans, riding a Godier Genoud. The crew held the lead for the first hour of the race but could never worry Honda who was out of reach.Yvon Duhamel is less and less seen on a circuit and more involved in growing his business. But he appeared to race at the Canadian round for the 750cc World Championship... and he finished second behind the other Kawasaki of Greg Hansford and in front of Steve Baker's Yamaha.
Again the next year, Yvon Duhamel started the Canadian round of the 750cc World Championship, this time he finished in 3rd place behind the Yamaha of Mike Baldwin and Kenny Robert.
In the early 80's, Yvon is very close to both his sons who sets out to turn in the motorcycle racing. Yvon is found riding a motorcycle in 1988 for the Bol d'Or race in which he is associated with both sons, Miguel and Mario.In the mid-90s, Yvon is aligned in the AMA Harley-Davidson Sportster 883 races where he often finishes in the top 10, despite his 50 years well rung.
Source from the excellent "Bike 70"
6.29.2011
6.27.2011
Maresches 2011...
Nothing "exceptional" on this one...
Vintage bikes, as announced, were nowhere to be found. Excepted those ones.
6.26.2011
6.25.2011
6.24.2011
6.23.2011
Trip...
Hastings (GB) was a good pit-stop...
A small town, unpretentious with the usual shopping street and pubs -check "The Filo (First In Last Out) on 14/15 High Street-.
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