For many of us, the Tourist trophy
constitutes the “queen” event of the motorcycling world. THE
TT is synonymous with courage, speed and madness. Sometimes we tend to think that these drivers don't know fear, unlike Grand Prix drivers. Who has never heard of “ yes, but Rossi never did the TT like Agostini or Hailwood » ! These comments must undoubtedly be weighed, especially since strong riders at the TT and on the track at world level are rare. Well, rare is vast, given that there is only one. Her name : Carl Fogarty
Le Tourist trophy, since it is no longer on the Grand Prix calendar, highlights specialists. Often, they come from the British Isles and have been trained since childhood on road circuits. It's the complete opposite of GP drivers, who only know karting circuits and other gravel traps since they were little.
Carl Fogarty is the enigma, the missing link. Born in Blackburn in 1965, Carl quickly moved towards a career as a motorcycle rider. His father George was a respectable runner in the 1970s, and it was only natural that the passion was passed on.
The young Carl cut his teeth in the British championship in the early 1980s, where he offered an atypical, aggressive driving style that took him to the top. He is quickly spotted and enters as a wildcard during the 250 1986cc British Grand Prix, which he finished 11th.
Fogarty (#3) in the 1 F1989 Challenge, with others starving to death. Photo: St Newby
At the same time, the dangerousness of the TT attracts him. A victory at
Manx Grand Prix later, the antechamber of the Tourist Trophy, he enters with the firm intention of winning. This was done in 1989 during the 750 production event. 1990 is the perfect example of the versatility of the English champion. In the same year, he won the Formula 1 and Senior races (the most prestigious categories), while replacing
Pierfrancesco Chili in 500cc four times, even finishing 6th in Sweden behind the Lawson,
rainy and other Doohan.
Still at the same time, he scored some good results in the Superbike world championship, as a wildcard. Simply phenomenal! This monstrous season earned him a BSB ride at Honda UK.
Over the years, he made numerous appearances. In 1992, he allowed himself to beat the lap record at the TT, after a Dantesque battle with
Steve Hislop, to win his first race in Superbike, the Macau Grand Prix, to make a replacement in 500cc on a Yamaha that he discovered, to win the Gold bowl, the 24 Hours of Le Mans motorcycle and
Endurance World Championship. This could well be the greatest motorcycle performance in history.
Faced with so much talent, factories cannot remain indifferent. Ducati offers him an official WSBK handlebar, the kind of offer you can't refuse. Despite 11 victories, Scott Russell steals the world title from him for nothing. This year he will also sign his best result in a Grand Prix, with a 4th place on home soil, riding the uncompromising
Cagiva (more the North West 200 as a bonus).
From 1994 to 2000, “ foggy » is untouchable or almost. Four world titles in WSBK, 59 victories (absolute record until John Rea came to put things in order) and 21 pole. A stratospheric track record which could have been a little more extensive, if it had not been for a nasty injury.
The very attractive Yamaha Loctite team. Here from left to right Carl Fogarty, Brian Reid and Mark Farmer.
During the Australian round in 2000, Fogarty collided
Robert Ulm at high speed. A spectacular accident which forced the Briton to abruptly end his career. At this time, he was extremely popular and regularly made acidic outings in the press. His comments, always piquant, never lack humor.
Following this crash, Fogarty decided to devote himself to his own team, working closely with Petronas. The adventure turns sour and pushes him out of the circuits. Since then, he has been present on television in all kinds of programs, even those with a survival theme! Stopping at nothing, he goes so far as to eat a camel penis, cockroaches as well as grilled tarantulas to win one of these hit shows.
You either love it or you hate it, there's no in between. His immense talent is matched only by the size of his trophy room, which lists cups from different disciplines gleaned from all over the world. A legend in TT and Superbike, he will forever remain in history for his outspokenness and his astonishing speed on the track.
Cover photo: TT GFDL
