Mucho Kudos to Yamaha!

[DarthRider]

On pages 4 & 5 of the February issue of Cycle World magazine is the coolest, classiest, most impressive motorcycle company ad I have ever seen.
Only it's not really an "ad" at all, but a farewell and tribute.
The pages are basically black. On the left full page is an out of focus front-fairing shot of the number 46 Fiat Yamaha YZR-M1 Moto GP race bike.
On the other page is an empty wire-frame chair, presumably in the rider's pit area of a GP paddock.
At the bottom of the page in small letters are the Italian words:
"Grazie Vale. E' stata una grande corsa."

I don't speak Italian and I didn't run it through a translator, but I'm guessing it's something like, "Thanks Vale. It was one great race."
I hope someone will post the literal translation.

Good show Yamaha...you didn't have to do this.:eusa_clap:

[Sir Limpsalot]

Wow. I'm impressed. I think it was the "right" time for Vale to go, but I don't think either party was very happy about it. I don't speak Italian either, Dave, but I would be surprised if your translation is very far off the mark.

[Deans BMW]

I have the Mag right here, it is a great add, very classy.

[jb44]

Google Translation: "Thanks Vale. It 'been a great ride."

Dave,

Thanks for the explanation.

I was wondering if the Yamaha advertising department had too much New Year's celebrating.

jb

[vintagemxr]

That's a very classy thing to do on Yamaha's part. The ad can be seen here. (http://www.gpone.com/index.php/en/news/35-in-evidenza/2655-yamaha-qgrazie-della-corsa-valentinoq.html) According to the web site the translation is "Thanks Vale. It's been a great run"

I believe we tend to see the Japanese bike companies as being made up of some sort of super engineers who can do anything which makes it all the more fascinating that it took a skinny, smiling, joking Italian to get the Yamaha program moving forward and winning again. By all accounts it's Rossi's analytical abilities that were as much a part of the the success as his super human riding ability. I never thought another rider would equal the stature of Agostini but Rossi seems to have done it even though he's not won as many championships.

the other Doug

[DarthRider]

Another quote from the Cycle World Feb. issue in an article called "The Stuff of Legends":
"Agostini is a legend, but to Rossi, Schwantz is an American hero."
:eusa_clap:

[Sir Limpsalot]

Rossi is pasionate about racing and has studied it intently. For example, when the other MotoGP elite are in their motorhomes getting "mentally prepared" Valentino will be watching the 125's and Moto2 from pit lane. When journalist (and former TT racer) Mat Oxley went to interview Valentino in London one time he walked in carrying his helmet and Vale took one look and said "Hey! I know-a you! You win-a 250 TT.."

Schwantz is probably more popular here (in Europe generally, rather than just GB) now than he was in his heyday. Sort of "the older he gets, the faster he was". Everyone remembers Schwantz fondly, even though he could sometimes be an arse, and has their favourite stories:
I watched him at Donnington one year, dicing for the lead with Rainey. Every lap Kevin would stuff it down the inside at the melbourne hairpin and take the lead only to be passed again elsewhere. On the last lap Wayne covered the inside line and blocked him, so Kevin just casually swooped round the outside! An "impossible" manoeuvre, but he made it look easy.

He's much calmer and more relaxed now than when he was racing, and is a nicer guy because of it.

[Griffon]

It is a good thing to see Yamaha paying tribute to Vale like this! Whatever bitterness there may be due to the split, their partnership was a wonderful thing. I hope they send posters to their dealers...

[panthercity]

Despite my cynical side that says Yamaha took one more opportunity to milk advertising out of Rossi, I must say they treated him a damn site better than the soulless automatons that seem to run Honda nowadays...

[JCsman]

I have that issue and, sad to say, my eyes skipped right over it. Thanks, Dave, for helping me NOT miss a classy move by the tuning fork folk.

[Sir Limpsalot]

Despite my cynical side that says Yamaha took one more opportunity to milk advertising out of Rossi

Thank God for that. I thought it might just be me..

[MotoMan1]

Great to see a company go out of it's way to thank you.

[IT- FasterPecker]

Just my personal opinion but Yamaha does an "official duty" answer/thanking to Valentino's "love letter" wrote down few months ago (see that at http://www.rtrsports.com/marketing/motorsports/417/valentino-rossi-love-letter-to-yamaha-m1/

Fabry

[DarthRider]

Thank you Fabrizio. That looks like a very interesting website, with Vale's 'love letter'. I'll have to check it out more closely.
For those who may not know, Fabry is the official Peckerhead & Motorcyclist Cafe' representative in Italy.
He is my "other brother from another mother" and has graced our home twice with his giant smile and passionate Italian heart. He and the love of his life, Rosaria work in Milan and have a beautifully restored home with a wonderful ocean view. He was born in the Dolomite mountains and regularly rides his MV Augusta or BMW in the Italian, Swiss, Austrian & French Alps.
He was also a good road racer on Ducatis and rivals our Simon for the word's No. 1 Valentino Rossi fan. One can only imagine how happy Fabry must be to have Vale on Ducati this year!
Fabry, Betty & I have been talking about our visit to Italy and actively putting Lire in a jar for the trip. I told Betty the plan is for her & Ros to shop, visit museums, cathedrals & art galleries while you & I ride the Alps. She thinks that is a grand plan!
Keep the Beemer & MV gassed up my friend!:ricky:

A couple of Peckerheads, one Friday night at my place near Fort Worth.
Fabry is on the left, with our wonderful little Italian-American buddy, Dante Caranci. Dante immigrated through Ellis Island when he was a babe in arms. He was a life-long motorcycle enthusiast He's the only guy I've ever known with a heart even bigger than Fabry's! Sadly, Dante left us a few years ago. The world became a less-happy place...
http://mrcycle1.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/MISC/fabry1/681494280_FymH9-S-2.jpg