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Goodbye Norick

Japanese motorcycle racer Norifumi "Norick" Abe died in a traffic accident near his home in Kawasaki , Japan , Sunday. He was 32.

According to local police, Abe was riding his motorcycle when he collided with a truck that was making an illegal U-turn.

Abe was one of Japan 's most celebrated racing heroes, having burst on the scene by battling for victory as a Honda wild-card in the 1994 500cc Japanese Grand Prix. Abe fell three corners from the finish, but had done enough to earn a full time ride with Kenny Roberts' factory Yamaha team for the following season.

I was lucky enough to represent Norick during his 2000 GP season with Yamaha and loved him dearly. He was determined and thoughtful and surprisingly ego free. His riding style was awesome, albeit a little unorthodox, and when things were going his way he shone. Off the track he was just as eccentric, with his long hair and tall stature. I vividly remember the line of Japanese girls lines up at his garage at every Japanese round.

Taken from UL Eurosport’s website

Norick remained contracted to Yamaha - his employer since 1995 - and had returned home to compete in the Japanese Superbike Championship, where he held third position with one round remaining. Abe was present in the MotoGP paddock, as a spectator, during the recent Japanese Grand Prix.

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."