Javascript Disabled Detected

You currently have javascript disabled. Several functions may not work. Please re-enable javascript to access full functionality.

Alec Wright

Started by peterd , Jan 05 2010 23:33

Please log in to reply

2 replies to this topic

#1 peterd

Member

196 posts
Joined: August 08

Posted 05 January 2010 - 23:33

Have just heard the sad news that Mr Kawasaki Alec Wright has died. The father of Colin, he was in his late 70s.

What can you say about the man? A lot, and with great respect. But here's a short version.

He was an absolute bugger a times. Frustrating to the point of resignation. And then he'd offer a quiet smile. He'd lead you on...until you realised he was actually giving you the bones of a great story. And he gave me lots of top stories.

In my years as DBR editor he never once raised is voice at me. And no doubt at times he had good reason. Yes, he made it known he wasn't happy, but never made it personal. That is the mark of a truly great man.

Forget about the riders, he was MX's first professional. He was fastidious to the point of tedium about the Team Green image. He always put the team and Kawasaki brand to the fore. First in off-road and then in road racing.

On a purely personal level, as a bike mag editor I was fortunate to receive many invitations to some stand-out industry/manufacturer events. Alec was one of only two people who ever included my wife on such an invitation. Nice touch and genuinely appreciated. (The other was Dave Thorpe, incidentally, a protegee of Alec's).

No matter what our personal rider/brand loyalties and rivalries might have been all those years ago, I think we all lament that Alec never secured his ultimate prize, a World Championship.

My thoughts to his family at this sad time.

God speed, Ace Boss.