David Thorpe (motorcyclist)
Encyclopedia
David Thorpe is a British
motocross
racer and a three-time World Champion.
Thorpe's early career saw him excel in both motocross
and football, and at one stage he was even offered a contract with professional side Queen's Park Rangers, before opting to concentrate on motocross. After a successful early career for the UK Kawasaki
team, Thorpe switched to the Honda
factory racing team in 1983. He emeged as a regular Grand Prix winner in 1984, and took his first world title in 1985. In this year's Motocross des Nations
at Gaildorf in Germany he also took the overall individual win beating American riders Jeff Ward
and David Bailey
. He retained his world title in 1986, following a season long battle with Honda team-mate André Malherbe
.
A series of injuries prevented Thorpe from making a title challenge in 1987 and 1988, where he finished fifth and third respectively in the 500cc FIM
World Championship. However, Thorpe won his third title in 1989, following a thrilling season-long battle with Eric Geboers
. 1990 saw him move teams to the factory Kawasaki team, however the Kawasaki machine was inferior to the factory Honda, and Thorpe struggled to compete. In 1990 and 1991 he finished fifth and seventh respectively in the 500cc World Championship. Thorpe left Kawasaki in 1991, and moved back to Honda, riding for the Italian 'Cinti Honda' team. Thorpe was unable to capture his old form, and he retired from professional motocross in 1993 at the age of 31.
, (which included a famous Great Britain victory in 1994), Thorpe concentrated on team management, running the UK based CAT Honda team during the late 1990s. The team was a success both in the UK and on the Grand Prix circuit, however Honda suddenly withdrew their support (along with several other teams) in 2001, and the team disbanded.
In recent years, Thorpe has returned to motocross, although he now competes for fun, competing in his local regional championship with great success. He has also been clerk of the course of the West of England MCC's Patchquick trophy meeting.
In 2007 Thorpe contested the two round, FIM Veterans Motocross World Cup in the senior class. Thorpe won the overall victory at both rounds (Namur
, Belgium
and Donington Park
, Great Britain
), giving him his fourth world title.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
motocross
Motocross
Motocross is a form of motorcycle sport or all-terrain vehicle racing held on enclosed off road circuits. It evolved from trials, and was called scrambles, and later motocross, combining the French moto with cross-country...
racer and a three-time World Champion.
Thorpe's early career saw him excel in both motocross
Motocross
Motocross is a form of motorcycle sport or all-terrain vehicle racing held on enclosed off road circuits. It evolved from trials, and was called scrambles, and later motocross, combining the French moto with cross-country...
and football, and at one stage he was even offered a contract with professional side Queen's Park Rangers, before opting to concentrate on motocross. After a successful early career for the UK Kawasaki
Kawasaki Heavy Industries
is an international corporation based in Japan. It has headquarters in both Chūō-ku, Kobe and Minato, Tokyo.The company is named after its founder Shōzō Kawasaki and has no connection with the city of Kawasaki, Kanagawa....
team, Thorpe switched to the Honda
Honda
is a Japanese public multinational corporation primarily known as a manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles.Honda has been the world's largest motorcycle manufacturer since 1959, as well as the world's largest manufacturer of internal combustion engines measured by volume, producing more than...
factory racing team in 1983. He emeged as a regular Grand Prix winner in 1984, and took his first world title in 1985. In this year's Motocross des Nations
Motocross des Nations
The Motocross des Nations is an annual team motocross race, where riders representing their country meet at what is billed as the "Olympics of Motocross"...
at Gaildorf in Germany he also took the overall individual win beating American riders Jeff Ward
Jeff Ward (motocross)
Jeff Ward is the first motocross rider in history to win every major AMA motocross national championship...
and David Bailey
David Bailey (motocross)
David Bailey is a broadcaster, motocross school instructor and former professional motocross racer, born December 31, 1961 in San Diego, California. He is the adopted son of Gary "Professor" Bailey, also a former professional motocrosser....
. He retained his world title in 1986, following a season long battle with Honda team-mate André Malherbe
André Malherbe
André Malherbe was a Belgian motocross racer. He won three F.I.M. 500cc motocross World Championships.Born in Huy, the son of a motorcycle dealer, Malherbe began racing at an early age and earned his racing licence in 1973. He rode a Zündapp to win the 1973 FIM 125cc European motocross...
.
A series of injuries prevented Thorpe from making a title challenge in 1987 and 1988, where he finished fifth and third respectively in the 500cc FIM
Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme
The Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme is the governing body of motorcycle racing. It represents 103 national motorcycle federations that are divided into six regional continental unions....
World Championship. However, Thorpe won his third title in 1989, following a thrilling season-long battle with Eric Geboers
Eric Geboers
Eric Geboers is a former motocross racer and racing driver from Belgium. Nicknamed The Kid, he was the first person to win world championships in the 125cc, 250cc and 500cc divisions. He retired from the international competition after his victory in Namen, on August 5, 1990...
. 1990 saw him move teams to the factory Kawasaki team, however the Kawasaki machine was inferior to the factory Honda, and Thorpe struggled to compete. In 1990 and 1991 he finished fifth and seventh respectively in the 500cc World Championship. Thorpe left Kawasaki in 1991, and moved back to Honda, riding for the Italian 'Cinti Honda' team. Thorpe was unable to capture his old form, and he retired from professional motocross in 1993 at the age of 31.
Post-Motocross career
After a spell as manager of the Great Britain motocross team in the Motocross des NationsMotocross des Nations
The Motocross des Nations is an annual team motocross race, where riders representing their country meet at what is billed as the "Olympics of Motocross"...
, (which included a famous Great Britain victory in 1994), Thorpe concentrated on team management, running the UK based CAT Honda team during the late 1990s. The team was a success both in the UK and on the Grand Prix circuit, however Honda suddenly withdrew their support (along with several other teams) in 2001, and the team disbanded.
In recent years, Thorpe has returned to motocross, although he now competes for fun, competing in his local regional championship with great success. He has also been clerk of the course of the West of England MCC's Patchquick trophy meeting.
In 2007 Thorpe contested the two round, FIM Veterans Motocross World Cup in the senior class. Thorpe won the overall victory at both rounds (Namur
Namur (city)
Namur is a city and municipality in Wallonia, in southern Belgium. It is both the capital of the province of Namur and of Wallonia....
, Belgium
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
and Donington Park
Donington Park
Donington Park is a motorsport circuit near Castle Donington in Leicestershire, England.Originally part of the Donington Hall estate, it was created as a racing circuit during the pre-war period when the German Silver Arrows were battling for the European Championship...
, Great Britain
Great Britain
Great Britain or Britain is an island situated to the northwest of Continental Europe. It is the ninth largest island in the world, and the largest European island, as well as the largest of the British Isles...
), giving him his fourth world title.