Sometimes our sport is cruel. In its nearly 75 years of existence, the World Cup has shattered countless dreams, and no one has been spared. Whether we are talking about a teenager, an older pilot, already legendary or on the upward slope, there is nothing to be done when destiny knocks. Concerning the young guns who left too soon, two men constantly return to haunt the thoughts of motor sports enthusiasts. Stefan Bellof for Formula 1 and especially Endurance, and
Jarno Saarinen for motorcycle Grand Prix. Unfortunately, other unsung heroes were unable to express their talent at the highest level. This is the case of Santiago “Santi” Herrero, another shooting star.
Born in 1943 in Madrid, Santi bought his first motorcycle at just 12 years old. Very talented and attracted by the mechanical aspect, he developed a passion for racing as a teenager. At 19, he was licensed, and on the slopes riding a
Derbi which he maintains himself. Its satisfactory results attract the eye of Luis Bejarano, director of the Lube brand. The firm offers machines motorized by NSU to run at the national level, and from then on, the Spaniard revealed himself.
Third in the 125cc championship in 1964, then second in 1965. In 1966, he made his first laps in the world championship, during the Spanish Grand Prix.
Result: two retirements from the two 125cc and 250cc races.
Only problem: the Lube brand, based in Baracaldo in the Spanish Basque Country, is closing down due to financial problems. Herrero, determined, opened his own garage in Bilbao and bought a Bultaco to run as a private. But his talent is too great to remain confidential. It's the brand Ossa, based in Barcelona, who approaches Santi first. Eduardo Giro, son of Manuel, the founder, is in the process of designing a revolutionary machine. A 250cc with a monocoque frame. He suggests that Santi become a developer, he who excels both on the track and in the garage. Herrero accepts, and begins to work with the new machine. The latter, by its original design, is as stiff as a lace loop. After a period of adaptation, he began to operate the beautiful Spaniard, and soon surpassed the competition. Santiago is 1967 Spanish champion in 250cc, but once again, has to abandon the world round run in Montjuïc.
Here is the Ossa monocoque chassis, with which Santi has proven himself in world racing. Photo: Peprovira
For 1968, Ossa thinks big and is now involved in the world championship. The single-cylinder returns 20 horsepower to the powerful Yamaha, but its agility compensates. He finished third at Monza and won the national championship again. Therefore, it is one of the country's greatest hopes. Ossa did it again in 1969, and this time, the Japanese giants were no longer in the game, at least officially, due to new regulations. In addition to this, it is integrated with
the Derbi team in 50cc, alongside Angel Nieto.
In 250cc, he won in the first round at Jarama, at home. Two races later, he repeated at Le Mans, ahead of the excellent Rodney Gould et
Kent Andersson. Santi has a string of good performances, and rarely leaves the top three places. Despite another victory in Belgium, three retirements at the end of the season relegated him to third place overall. At least the Ossa showed that it could compete with the other machines, and that above all, Herrero was nothing other than a potential champion. D'especially since he was not ridiculous in 50cc, with second places in Belgium and at the Sachsenring.
Of course, the Hispanic pair did it again in 1970, with the world title in sight. No luck in Germany, for the opening round, Santi breaks, and leaves the victory to the reigning world champion
Kel Carruthers. Worse, at Le Mans, he fell, but by a miracle, came back to second, proof of his immense talent. Carruthers scores no points. Luck changed: Yugoslavia, it's Kel who revs up the engine of his Yamaha in the final moments, giving victory to Herrero. Then, the Isle of Man Tourist Trophy is on the program. He finished third there in 1969.
The Derbi team in 1969. In the photo, Ángel Nieto (second man from the left in the foreground), with Paco Tombas to his right, then Santiago Herrero (the blond one) and Andreu Rabasa. Photo: Montesita
His Ossa “monocasco” n°10 sets off towards Bray Hill. The heat is intense in June, and the melting bitumen further accentuates the difficulty of the test, as if that were not enough. He falls at Braddan Bridge, but can leave without his protective bubble. In the fifth round, he inexorably approaches the laggards. At the level of the 13th milestone, an accident occurs. He and Stan Woods fell, but the exact circumstances of the accident are unclear. Perhaps it was a collision, but more recent reports indicate that Woods fell while trying to avoid Herrero. Both are injured, but alive. Even if a helicopter was requisitioned to evacuate Santiago, his condition was announced as stable. However, upon arriving at Douglas hospital, doctors noticed more serious injuries.
Two days later, he was declared dead..
Emotion gripped the paddock like rarely in history. Ossa decided to withdraw. We never again saw the Spanish firm at the start of a Grand Prix. The country lost one of its first geniuses, this blond angel who could definitely go for several world crowns, if not legendary status. It is important not to forget these heroes, who sacrificed so much for their passion and ours.
Did you know Santiago Herrero? Tell us in the comments!
Good looking, he had everything to become a historic figure in Spanish motorcycle sport. Here in 1969, with the Tourist Trophy t-shirt. How ironic fate is.
Cover photo: Montesita
