MICHELLE DUFF INDUCTION AN HONOUR TO SHARE

The second Canadian Motorcycle Hall of Fame Induction Banquet was on 27 October and I was most happy to attend as friend and guest of the famous Michelle (a.k.a. Mike) Duff one of the 9 inductees for 2007. Michelle has already been inducted into the Canadian Motorsport Hall of Fame where cars and motorcycles are recognized —this evening was only about Canada's motorcycle heritage. It was a very special event for me to be able to witness first hand Michelle's induction into the Canadian Motorcycle Hall of Fame--I think I'm really one of her biggest fans! I felt so privileged to attend and see Michelle recognized at yet another level in motorcycling.

On top of enjoying great presentations during this rather simple, yet informally elegant event, I was to present Michelle her special induction medallion! When the time came, on stage, I was so thrilled for her I couldn’t prevent the emotions; the tears came out.

The picture shown was taken after the induction --between us is one of Michelle’s former Yamaha rides currently housed in Bar Hodgsons personal collection.

Additionally I had the pleasure to meet inductee Yvon Duhamel and become better acquainted with his history—realize I started racing in Europe and was not well informed on Canada’s racers. His son Miguel flew up from Las Vegas where he currently resides, in order to be part of his father’s induction. I also had the chance to chat with inductee Bob Williams and understand his Arrow Racing “stream liner motorcycle” which boasts a couple Bonneville land speed accomplishments--it was on display (more exciting news to share there shortly).

During 2007 (as I heard her stories with great envy) Michelle attended over 5 European race dates/special events and it appears she will be heading to Europe and Britain in 2008 for about the same number again.

Do visit Michelle's website and enjoy not only her racing history but her talents as a published writer and photographer.

Call Me Blonde--What’s Really In a Motorcycle Name

I was watching a very interesting program on the National Geographic channel about martial arts and the true master forms of the various disciplines. The show then progressed to the level of which weapons were the most effective-- the Nunchakus, spears and swords. When discussing swords, it was stated that the “Katana” was the preferred and most effective sword of martial arts warriors. “AHA” I exclaimed--moment of discovery—Katana, the popular Suzuki sport bike released in 1988. I now understood the association! Oie, that’s why admittedly I title this entry “call me blonde”.

Yet honestly, I can’t image I’m alone-we hear a name, we use it, asking no questions right? When manufacturers bring out their new models, we get all the technical info and eventually the test ride results, but no one ever says “it was named after the great Japanese Samurai warrior sword-the Katana"—I suppose it’s a given, an assumption. Certainly the Japanese knew as this is their ancestry—but in our culture unless you practise it, or are into swords what are the chances of the average person knowing what a Katana is?

Other names are most assuredly obvious-- Hurricane, Firestorm, Ninja but how about number and letter combinations? The “GSXR”-no one ever asks, we accept this combination to mean something fast, err, “Grand Super Xtreme Racer”?

Harley Davidson have their own name codes—Dyna, Softail–I don’t know what relevance softail has to a motorcycle yet this all causes me to explore further. Ducati use SS meaning 'supersport' or ST for 'sport touring', logical. But then there’s the first belt driven Ducati, the Pantah. If you Google Pantah you get Ducati, but what does it mean? Is it a place? Is it Italian for Panther?

Yet having discovered the Katana I see there’s always something in a name.
Yet, when all is said and done it’s not real relevant is it? It's what's underneath or inside that really counts.