12 replies to this topic

[Paul Rochdale]

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.

[fil2.8]

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

[HEMEYLA]

Very nice website ....... click.

[philippe7]

There is a detailed account by Michelle of her accident in the "recent news" section of her website - it's here if anyone wants to take a look ( and generally speaking it's a good website - Michelle sure knows how to write and does not only talk about motorcycles.... )
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.

[fil2.8]

And one I took at Assen in '98










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[Russell Burrows]

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?

[Continental Circus]

He, him and his?

I had great admiration for Mike's determination to get to the top.
Here he is in the IoM paddock in 1963, thanks for the memories.
img286_Mike_Duff_IoM_TT_63.jpg (1.9 MB)
Roy

[Paul Rochdale]

"He, him and his?"

Oh damn, what a daft mistake to make.

[jaybee49]

Got to know Michelle quite well. She joined us on our stand at Stafford and NEC the year that she launched the book and she was promoting it at both. The press people at the NEC said they had received 'unprecented' media interest in Michelle. James Whale tried to carve her up in a late night live interview on radio to her hotel room but he came unstuck...

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.

[MoMurray]

I have never met Michelle but as one of her contemporaries is a good friend I know of her racing exploits quite well. Reading this thread, although it is rightly focused on her racing accomplishments and I dont want to stray too far, but what strikes me most about her is what an incredibly brave person she must be. Not because of her on track activities but, in the world we all know, to make the decisions and commitments to her chosen lifestyle that she has is truly remarkable. Good for you Michelle.

A Michelle Duff fan...

Mo

Edited by MoMurray, 26 May 2010 - 05:37.

[TTMarshal]

I have met Michelle Ann Duff 3 times: At St.Wendel in the early sixties when I was about 11 years young and Mike gave me an authograph after winning the 350cc. The authograph I have still. Then on the Isle of Man in early 2000th and the last time 2007 at the Oldtimer-GP Schotten. Michelle is a nice and friendly woman, I stay in email contact with her by know.

Edited by TTMarshal, 26 May 2010 - 12:48.

[Paul Rochdale]

This morning I sent her a link to this thread and this is her reply -

"Hi Paul: I had a look at the Autosport Bulletin Board. Wow, I am humbled by the comments and praise. Thank you. Michelle"

[Russell Burrows]

Mike in an AMC ad on his '61 7R