Quote:
Originally Posted by David Towe
I was there, wasn't Merkel the hotshot who was expected to win but got a lesson from Doohan and went home with his tail between his legs? I was stunned to see how fast they popped up over the crest of the dogleg and how savagely the forks were compressed under breaking just a second or so later as they went in to Momo Speedline. The polystyrene pads seemed so inadequate against the wall for protection.
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Yes Fred Merkle was favourite on form along with David Tardozzi the series leader who was lapped in both races by Doohan. I think the thinly padded concrete walls was the downfall of the european riders. They couldn't find the confidence to push to the limit whereas the aussies didn't know any different.
BTW Doohan broke the Oran Park lap record 39 times on that one day. That in itself must be some sort of record.
