Dave Thorpe retires
By TMX Archives on 1st Apr 09
FOUR-times world-champion, Dave Thorpe, has finally hung up his boots.Dave (46), World 500cc champion in 1985-86-89 and World Veteran winner two years ago, has decided to quit serious racing. I'll still ride and do the occasional race for fun, said the CCM sports director at Faenza, But that's it with racing for titles. There are several reasons.
First of all, I obviously will ride a CCM if I do ride, and I cannot justify the cost to the company. Every single one of our bikes is very special and costs us 19,750 to produce.
But it was my dad, Keith, who really brought it home to me during the winter that it was time to quit. As he pointed out, I've had 40 good years of racing and it is time to stop before something does happen.
And something very good has happened to David this winter as his second wife, Gail, presented him with a gorgeous daughter, April Rose, four-months ago.
The happy family travelled to Faenza in the Phoenix Tools camper this week, and family responsibility stands high on David's list of priorities: I've got a new family to look after now, and April is the light in our life!
The family returned to England after the race and Austin Clews and Gary Harthern will watch over the CCM racing activities in Bulgaria and Turkey: One of us will always be there each week, but it makes no sense for all of us to attend every race.