Michelle Duff
#1
Posted 21 May 2010 - 21:20
His book MAKE HASTE SLOWLY is still my all time favourite motorcycle racing book.
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#2
Posted 21 May 2010 - 21:31
Mike Duff was another of my heroes when I used to watch him ride firstly the Arter machines at Brands and then the works Yamahas. I received an email from him today to say that he'd crashed heavily at Spa in July 2008 and had no memory for four hours. His bike apparently highsided and he struck the track on the back of his head. It took a further year for the headaches and dizziness to stop. As his doctor advised him that a similar accident might prove fatal, he final called a halt to historic parades.
His book MAKE HASTE SLOWLY is still my all time favourite motorcycle racing book.
Couldn't agree more , Paul , , one of the most stylish of all the riders , and I have the book , autographed , also
#4
Posted 21 May 2010 - 22:19
http://www.michelle-...latestnews.html
I had the opportunity to exchange a few words with her at the 2008 coupes moto-légende at Dijon, I was puzzled by a 4 cylinder Yamaha with blue plates in the Ferry Brouwer display so I went and talked to her . This is what I had written at the time :
OK, back to this mysterious bike now. As we know, in 1967 and 1968 Yamaha entered some sensational factory V4's for Bill Ivy and Phil Read in the 125 and 250cc classes. But a 350 ? never heard of that . Well, since Michelle Duff happened to be next to me while I was examining this machine, I took the opportunity to ask her :
"Excuse me, madam, why does this bike carry blue plates ? "
"Because it's a 350"
"But, excuse me, there never was a 350 V4 at the time ?"
"No, it's a replica built by Ferry it's not a Yamaha engine, it's a 1973 Morbidelli square-4 engine in it (!!!!! ) "
"And are you going to ride this one ? "
"Yes, I'm riding the 350 today, and I'll ride the 250 tomorrow . It's my first time on this circuit you see, so Ferry prefers me to use the 350 to learn the track "
As I visibly seemed ( and indeed was ) puzzled by this last statement, she matter-of-factly added "Well, you know, just in case something happens , the 250 is so much more valuable than this 350 ." I suddenly realised that she very calmly was accepting that if she was to get caught out and crash , it had rather be with the 350 than the 250..I was left speechless . But when I saw her ride in the afternoon, I have to admit that she was cruising around quite faster than, say , her "team mates" Dieter Braun and Rod Gould .
And two pics of her that I took on the day , one with french journalist Jacques Bussillet, the other one with Dieter Braun
Edited by philippe7, 21 May 2010 - 22:32.
#6
Posted 24 May 2010 - 16:29
Mike Duff was another of my heroes when I used to watch him ride firstly the Arter machines at Brands and then the works Yamahas. I received an email from him today to say that he'd crashed heavily at Spa in July 2008 and had no memory for four hours. His bike apparently highsided and he struck the track on the back of his head. It took a further year for the headaches and dizziness to stop. As his doctor advised him that a similar accident might prove fatal, he final called a halt to historic parades.
His book MAKE HASTE SLOWLY is still my all time favourite motorcycle racing book.
He, him and his?
#7
Posted 24 May 2010 - 19:43
I had great admiration for Mike's determination to get to the top.He, him and his?
Here he is in the IoM paddock in 1963, thanks for the memories.
img286_Mike_Duff_IoM_TT_63.jpg (1.9 MB)
Roy
#8
Posted 25 May 2010 - 08:10
Oh damn, what a daft mistake to make.
#9
Posted 25 May 2010 - 20:51
We also did the Ulster show together where she was interviewd by Keith Huewen on Ulster TV. We ended up one night in a pub in the Falls Road which was as it turned out a good evening..
Nice person and as been said a bloody good rider. Not seen her for a while now, but we stay in touch.
#10
Posted 26 May 2010 - 05:36
A Michelle Duff fan...
Mo
Edited by MoMurray, 26 May 2010 - 05:37.
#11
Posted 26 May 2010 - 12:45
Edited by TTMarshal, 26 May 2010 - 12:48.
#12
Posted 26 May 2010 - 13:12
"Hi Paul: I had a look at the Autosport Bulletin Board. Wow, I am humbled by the comments and praise. Thank you. Michelle"