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Post by Droog on Jan 8, 2021 16:35:02 GMT
As per the thread title. Prompted by my musings regarding Schwantz being a dick after his career in the Brivio thread, it got me thinking if there were any notable others. Now Foggy was a gobshite when he was racing but when he completely left the sport after the Petronas debacle, he become a much nicer and pleasant chap. Keen to amend for being a dick during his career. Lawson was an edgy character whilst racing but he become far more affable after his career ended. Doohan was seen as a very driven and difficult fella but he also became much more friendly after he stopped racing.
Other than Schwantz, the only other racer who springs to mind is Sheene. Sheene could be awkward during his career if you were of no benefit to him but was an absolute charmer if you were useful to him in some way. He was always good with the fans though and I have to say that I do believe that was genuine. Signed anything put in front of him and was always the last to leave after a meeting due to taking time to talk with fans and well wishers. There are far too many accounts of people meeting Sheene in public and saying he was a lovely bloke for it to be an act.
But during his career and especially after it, he definitely took a swipe at as many riders as possible. Unless they were Australian. He definitely helped out a lot of riders as they were coming up. Everything from giving them free kit to arranging sponsorship deals or business advice. But they always seemed to be riders who were going to make it regardless. When he went to Australia he did everything possible to promote Aussie riders and seemed to relish in taking swipes at any promising British riders. When his nephew Scott Smart was coming up, Sheene was very vocal in saying he was no good. They patched it up later in life though. But Sheene could have done a lot for Scott and he did very little.
Went out of his way to bitch and moan about Scott Russell being on the Suzuki in 1995 when he felt it should go to either Gobert or Corser. He was supportive at first but then turned on him after a few races. He hated Emmett the minute Performance Bikes magazine labelled him the new Sheene (despite Emmett being associated with rival Fast Bikes magazine) and regularly slated him during commentary. He was scathing of Emmett when he got the Suzuki ride as a temporary stand in rider whilst they were trying to replace Schwantz. To be fair Emmett didn't seize his chance and was woeful on it though bar one good showing before crashing it. Sheene was pretty shitty towards Foggy but then became his best mate when Carl was doing well. Then fell out with him after Foggy became really popular. It got so bad between them that it nearly went to court. This went right on until Sheene died. No idea if they buried the hatchet on that before his death.
When Gobert and Corser both failed spectacularly in their 500GP careers in 1997 Sheene had nothing to say about that. Complex character who was both a good guy and a bit of a jealous cunt. Apparently later in life he was very controlling of his wife despite having spent years cheating on her previously. He took great delight in slagging off Team Roberts at every opportunity too.
I did like Sheene and he was a bloody good racer. Clever guy and could tell a good story. But he was definitely bitter towards other people having success.
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Post by mekon on Jan 8, 2021 18:40:48 GMT
I read one of Foggy's book and said he was a bitter cunt after all the chances of running a team fell through. Felt like he was being rejected by the sport and eventually got taken to the side by some of his mates who told to stop shitting on something from which he was a living legend.
One of my mates girlfriend's mothers (still following?) was a bit of a 70s/80s paddock whore and apparently Sheene and Huewen didn't get on and she claimed Huewen was always trying to get to put the boot into Sheene.
Toseland didn't turn into a cunt after racing but he turned into something odd. Looked like he was on the verge of announcing his transition some weeks.
Most riders are probably cunts because you sort of have to be a cunt to want to win. I'd hazard a guess a really nice bloke like Peter Collins giving his car to Fangio to take a title equivalent doesn't exist in bikes. Then again him and Hawthorn used to mind fuck the Italian Muso and gang up on him.
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Post by spentcase on Jan 8, 2021 19:08:57 GMT
Sheene and he was a bloody good racer. Clever guy and could tell a good story. But he was definitely bitter towards other people having success.
I don't know much about racers changing after retirement, but I do know that Barry was on 'Just Amazing' with Kenny Lynch and as such may have rubbed shoulders with his great showbiz mate Tarby. |
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Post by Droog on Jan 8, 2021 19:09:04 GMT
I can understand being a bit of a cunt whilst you are competing but when you're retired, surely it is time to let it go unless you were always just a cunt regardless. James Whitham I think most would agree is a good bloke. Even he had shit off of Sheene during his career. Wayne Gardner was always regarded as a bit of a dick by most people in the paddock. Even Honda were not keen on him and when he retired they cut all ties with him. That gutted Gardner as he thought Honda thought well of him. No idea what he is like now though.
I wasn't aware there was anything between Huewen and Sheene but I do remember Sheene giving Huewen a lot of stick during a live broadcast in the early 90's. Seemed good natured at the time.
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Post by Droog on Jan 8, 2021 19:12:17 GMT
Whenever I hear or see the name Kenny Lynch, I immediately hear Rik Mayall as Richie Rich saying that immortal line.
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Post by pantah on Jan 8, 2021 20:12:26 GMT
Can’t think of any popular riders who turned into dicks but never understood why Foggy needed to be such an arse when he was racing. Maybe it was the only way he could be ruthless enough to win.
Joey and Troy Bayliss both managed to be serial winners and were likeable off track.
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Post by Droog on Jan 8, 2021 20:31:40 GMT
Good spot Pants. Bayliss was intense but always a good guy. Edwards was pretty laid back also. Never heard about Corser being a dick but heard plenty of stories about him being in love with himself and constantly telling people how rich and successful he was.
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Post by elnoodle the reasonable on Jan 8, 2021 23:15:46 GMT
I met Fogarty when he was world champion. Shared a minibus with him and his mechanic during a flight connection at Atlanta airport. Cunt couldn't have been nicer.
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Post by mekon on Jan 9, 2021 12:43:50 GMT
Slight said not being a cunt cost him. He said there a few times when he should have been a cunt and maybe he'd have taken a title. Nobody could understand him talking to Foggy before the last race. I think Foggy said it helped to not like his rivals.
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