30 replies to this topic

[tonyed]

Ratthapark Wilairot (ex-Moto2 rider) is taking holy orders and becoming a Buddhist monk for 15 years.

Can anyone recall another rider who gave it all up for a calling or was restricted in his racing activities because of his beliefs?

However the Thai rider will be mixing his religious duties with riding for the SAG team in 2012.

I can remember a rider (name escapes me at present) who was a member of the 'Plymouth Bretheren' and would not race on a Sunday.

Edited by tonyed, 08 December 2011 - 12:16.

[fil2.8]

Ratthapark Wilairot (ex-Moto2 rider) is taking holy orders and becoming a Buddhist monk for 15 years.

Can anyone recall another rider who gave it all up for a calling or was restricted in his racing activities because of his beliefs?

However the Thai rider will be mixing his religious duties with riding for the SAG team in 2012.

I can remember a rider (name escapes me at present) who was a member of the 'Plymouth Bretheren' and would not race on a Sunday.

Didn't Alex Bedford take up holy orders ??

[Russell Burrows]

Bryan Hindle, him of besting Ago at Oran Park fame, was a Salvation Army dude; I'm not sure if saving souls was his full-time job though.

Around '71, Dave Croxford worked in a poodle parlour.

And wasn't Lansivouri an undertaker?

Alright, not strictly what you asked but not a huge response, yet.

Edited by Russell Burrows, 08 December 2011 - 14:36.

[MoMurray]

As most of you know, Northern Ireland is a hot bed of motorcycle road racing and all racing there takes place on a Saturday (or any day except Sunday) for religious reasons. I remember being told that one of the greats, Ray McCullough had the talent to go on to great success at world championship level but refused to do so because it would have meant racing on Sundays. Not sure how true it is (the Sunday part...as I know he was fast enough) but worthy of respect if so.

Mo.

[fastfitter]

Can anyone recall another rider who would not race on a Sunday.

Toni Elias?

[tonyed]

Toni Elias?

Bitch

I thought that in Ireland there was no racing on Sunday was due to other religious reasons, like getting stocious Saturday night after the racing.

I had not realised that 'working in a poodle parlour' was a religious calling. But then again it probably is in most of the flyover states in 'Murrrica.

Just heard on the radio that women are to be allowed to serve in British Navy Submarines for the first time. Not too soon in my opinion saves having to get out of your hammock to get another beer.

Edited by tonyed, 08 December 2011 - 18:05.

[Rennmax]

Ratthapark Wilairot (ex-Moto2 rider) is taking holy orders and becoming a Buddhist monk for 15 years.

Can anyone recall another rider who gave it all up for a calling or was restricted in his racing activities because of his beliefs?

However the Thai rider will be mixing his religious duties with riding for the SAG team in 2012.

I can remember a rider (name escapes me at present) who was a member of the 'Plymouth Bretheren' and would not race on a Sunday.

According to the sources over here, he intends a stay in the monastery for 15 days

http://www.twowheels...onk-for-15-days

Edited by Rennmax, 08 December 2011 - 18:25.

[exclubracer]

As most of you know, Northern Ireland is a hot bed of motorcycle road racing and all racing there takes place on a Saturday (or any day except Sunday) for religious reasons. I remember being told that one of the greats, Ray McCullough had the talent to go on to great success at world championship level but refused to do so because it would have meant racing on Sundays. Not sure how true it is (the Sunday part...as I know he was fast enough) but worthy of respect if so.

Mo.

Mo's on the money there.

I remember a few years ago when a TT race was delayed and ran on a Sunday, but Irish sponsor Winston McAdoo refused permission for his rider to race. I think it was Simon Beck.

[rd500]

yes, alex bedford became a minister i believe and it was bob jackson in the 97 or 98 tt as it was delayed because of the weather, he always used to fit the oversize tank to the kawasaki and was leading it one year until the dreaded fuel cap wouldnt go on.

[rd500]

didnt eddie laycock open a pet shop and there was stanley woods toffee buisness but mabye he had that before he stopped.

[GD66]

No, The Great Stanley Woods was flogging TT Toffee right up to the unfortunate end. What a lad he was !

[Hasselhoff]

Kev Magee wasn't allowed to practice on the Bob Brown Ducati on Saturdays because of Bobs religion. It didn't seem to slow him down though on Sunday.

[rotrax]

Ratthapark Wilairot (ex-Moto2 rider) is taking holy orders and becoming a Buddhist monk for 15 years.

Can anyone recall another rider who gave it all up for a calling or was restricted in his racing activities because of his beliefs?

However the Thai rider will be mixing his religious duties with riding for the SAG team in 2012.

I can remember a rider (name escapes me at present) who was a member of the 'Plymouth Bretheren' and would not race on a Sunday.

John Wilkinson was a fine racer and also a Master Mariner,during which time he met his demise. Apparently he refused the Spanish Police permission to board his ship-a scrap metal boat-to investigate a complaint from a crewmember. He is alledged to have waved a shotgun at them. They shot him. Franco's police obviously did not mess about!

Edited by rotrax, 10 December 2011 - 09:28.

[stuavant]

Toni Elias?

classic, a good laugh on a warm night down under

[Paul Collins]

There was an Irish rider who I think took a break from racing to go into full time religious work of some kind, its a good few years ago now but I seem to think it was Paul Cranston?

Edited by Paul Collins, 10 December 2011 - 11:40.

[fastfitter]

classic, a good laugh on a warm night down under

Wow! Stu Avant likes my gag, that's going up there with my 'Ago stood on my foot at Mallory' anecdote

[graham houlihan]

60s racer Fred Stevens became a top man for the Jehovah's witnesses. Think he was head of a Kingdom Hall in Manchester.

[graham houlihan]

250 World Championship runner up Juan Garriga took a bit of a career change......

"In May 1998, Garriga was arrested and charged with drug trafficking and possessing firearms after a raid on a Barcelona bar uncovered half a kilo of cocaine, stocks of ammunition, and 300,000 pesetas in forged money . Four other people were arrested, including the bar owner, a garage owner, and two employees of a local business. When police later searched Garriga’s private villa in Vallvidrera they found a revolver, a pistol, two rifles, a shotgun, ammunition, and a stash of cocaine.

The trial was a long, drawn out affair but when the former GP star appeared in court for the fourth time in 2003, he was facing a potential 11-year prison sentence, though he eventually accepted a two-year suspended sentence for ‘complicity in the business of drug trafficking and possession of illegal weapons.’ The sentence was broken down into one-and-a-half years for involvement in the drugs trade and a further six months for firearms charges."

Edited by graham houlihan, 10 December 2011 - 17:10.

[Russell Burrows]

60s racer Fred Stevens became a top man for the Jehovah's witnesses. Think he was head of a Kingdom Hall in Manchester.

Alan Peck's in the same team.

[jeff sayle]

Sorry boys i have not been on here for a while, but a little heart attack, and so many problems trying to log on have made it difficult. But back on topic. I think I raced against many people that thought they where god before they where !!!!!!!!

[picblanc]

Glad your back Jeff, sorry to hear that & hope your well on the road to good health now.

[fil2.8]

Glad your back Jeff, sorry to hear that & hope your well on the road to good health now.

Yes , i'll second that , welcome back

[Russell Burrows]

Sorry boys i have not been on here for a while, but a little heart attack, and so many problems trying to log on have made it difficult. But back on topic. I think I raced against many people that thought they where god before they where !!!!!!!!

Good to see you back, Jeff. All the best.

[rd500]

hi jeff

always liked garriga, good rider.

there was talk of him using the happy substance to calm him down before going out on track when he was on the 500s.

likewise marco luchinelli was placed under house arrest for dabbling in the same area, although he had his pop career aswell which i though was pretty good.

katayama did a bit of singing aswell after he stopped.

then there was the whole debacle about daniel amatrain and his late night phonecalls which led him to be sacked!

Edited by rd500, 12 December 2011 - 10:35.

[SMonty]

There was an Irish rider who I think took a break from racing to go into full time religious work of some kind, its a good few years ago now but I seem to think it was Paul Cranston?

Yes indeed, Paul Cranston from Dungannon was a very good pilot on either roads or circuits. A quiet unassuming character, he was a devout Christian who was one of the "never race on a Sunday" riders referred to on earlier postings.

[exclubracer]

Yes indeed, Paul Cranston from Dungannon was a very good pilot on either roads or circuits. A quiet unassuming character, he was a devout Christian who was one of the "never race on a Sunday" riders referred to on earlier postings.

Hi Steve

Wasn't Paul still racing until recently? If so he's had a good long career, I remember him from the early 80's.

[SMonty]

Hi Steve

Wasn't Paul still racing until recently? If so he's had a good long career, I remember him from the early 80's.

Yes Paul still hasn't hung up the leathers!

He started racing in production classes in 1978 and still takes in a few selected road races, (NW200, Southern 100, UGP and perhaps a few others0, making 2011 his 34th season! And to top that he has still been getting podium finishes as recently as the 2010 Mid Antrim.

Now there's a challenge for someone to beat......

[exclubracer]

Yes Paul still hasn't hung up the leathers!

He started racing in production classes in 1978 and still takes in a few selected road races, (NW200, Southern 100, UGP and perhaps a few others0, making 2011 his 34th season! And to top that he has still been getting podium finishes as recently as the 2010 Mid Antrim.

Now there's a challenge for someone to beat......

Hmm...the only rider I can recall to beat that for the length of his riding career was the late and much loved Rob Gourlay, IIRC he raced every season from the age of 16 until his untimely and tragic death aged 60. Perhaps Mike (mfd) could confirm?

[Xover]

I'd no idea Jehovah had been involved in an accident......wasn't Fumio Itoh a pop singer?

[firthy69]

Sorry boys i have not been on here for a while, but a little heart attack, and so many problems trying to log on have made it difficult. But back on topic. I think I raced against many people that thought they where god before they where !!!!!!!!

Sorry to hear of your health problems Jeff, glad you're back & best wishes for the new year !

[ravenous25]

Hope you're better Jeff

Alex Bedford was actually one of the virger's at the church where my sister got married! He's now working as a minister in Glasgow