131 replies to this topic

[WonderWoman61]

Halfway House - Chris Vincent normally known as a sidecar driver was also very adept racing on two wheels.

In this respect, there was also Florian Camathias.

[flatlandsman]

I also know very many MotoGP riders who have done a bit of rallying, Rossi obviously routine winner of Monza Rally end of year, and other stuff before his GT days, Dovizioso had a few goes as did Toni Cairloi of motocross fame.  I also think Loris Capirossi did a few rallies in the UK years ago. 

[kevins]

Short article about Ago and Ferrari

 

https://www.autospor...other/10501011/

[Michael Ferner]

In this respect, there was also Florian Camathias.

 

Many of the three-wheelers had raced on two before switching over, mainly because they found success easier. Eric Oliver is probably the most prominent example, but also Max Deubel or Klaus Enders (who also raced on four).

[WonderWoman61]

Brazilian Marco Greco, GP motorcyclist from 1979 to 1986, then converted to 4 wheels starting in the 1987 British F3 Championship and went on to become a regular in US Open Wheel Racing until 1999.

[Michael Ferner]

Paolo Campanelli

Gerhard Mitter

Tony Hegbourne

[WonderWoman61]

Yoshikazu Sunako

[WonderWoman61]

Marco Lucchinelli, 500cc motorcycling world champion in 1981, dabbled with cars and made a one-off F3000 appearance in a works Lola at Imola in 1986. Qualified, then finished 11th.

[WonderWoman61]

https://www.google.c...rn.html?lang=en

[Michael Ferner]

Günther Wiesinger hasn't aged well.

[WonderWoman61]

Günther Wiesinger hasn't aged well.

He's not alone

[tonyed]

Marco Lucchinelli, 500cc motorcycling world champion in 1981, dabbled with cars and made a one-off F3000 appearance in a works Lola at Imola in 1986. Qualified, then finished 11th.

I believe one of the cars he was involved with was a police car   After being caught with a quantity of 'Columbian Marching Powder' 

Edited by tonyed, 20 September 2023 - 08:56.

[WonderWoman61]

I believe one of the cars he was involved with was a police car   After being caught with a quantity of 'Columbian Marching Powder' 

Yes.

Unfortunate.

[WonderWoman61]

Marco Lucchinelli, 500cc motorcycling world champion in 1981, dabbled with cars and made a one-off F3000 appearance in a works Lola at Imola in 1986. Qualified, then finished 11th.

Lucchinelli also tested a Brabham F1 car in 1985 as did Franco Uncini and Barry Sheene.

[Michael Ferner]

Hartmut Thaßler

[small block]

Francois Cevert

[WonderWoman61]

Alexander Wurz started off on two wheels of the non-motorized variety. He was the BMX World Champion in 1986.

[Michael Ferner]

SIg Haugdahl

Art Hartsfeld

René Zanatta

Earl Unversaw

[tonyed]

Not every day names 

[Michael Ferner]

Well, everybody knows about Big John and Mike the Bike, so what's the use? I thought this thread was for oddballs. 

[WonderWoman61]

Giovanni Lavaggi
https://web.archive..../biography.html

[barrykm]

Ian Scheckter, older brother of Jody and also a F1 GP driver, also raced on two wheels before changing to cars.

Edited by barrykm, 11 December 2023 - 05:28.

[WonderWoman61]

Did Graham Hill ever race motorcycles? He did show interest prior to 1954.

[LittleChris]

Did Graham Hill ever race motorcycles? He did show interest prior to 1954.

 

I believe he injured himself on a motorbike at one point but have never heard that he fancied himself as the next Geoff Duke 

[WonderWoman61]

I believe he injured himself on a motorbike at one point but have never heard that he fancied himself as the next Geoff Duke

Just wondered.

[Jim Thurman]

Not every day names 

So what? 

 

Haugdahl was a prominent early American racer

Hartsfeld was a top midget auto racer in the U.S.

 

Along those lines, I haven't seen Johnny Krieger mentioned. He raced motorcycles regularly before switching to cars and making 2 Indianapolis 500 starts

 

Going the other way, Dirk Piz did drag racing, road racing, then stock cars, before switching to bikes. Sadly, he died in a crash at Daytona.

[Michael Ferner]

Yeah, lots more in US racing. I'm sure Ralph Hepburn's been mentioned, but how about Frank Brisko, Red Parkhurst, Walt Higley. Cal Rayborn did a bit of car racing, too.

[LittleChris]

I think Rayborn was racing both cars and bikes at the time he was killed at Pukekohe wasn't he ?

[Michael Ferner]

Yes, he was preparing for a Tasman Series start and taking in a round of the International New Zealand motorbike series at Pukekohe to learn the track.

[WonderWoman61]

Ricardo Rodriguez went from cycling to motorbikes to car racing.

[WonderWoman61]

AMA Grand National Championship rider Gene Romero briefly dabbled with NASCAR, Super Vees and USAC Midgets in the 1970s.

[WonderWoman61]

Emanuele Pirro recently made his motorbike racing debut at the 81st Goodwood Members Meeting.