Norick Abe dies in road accident

[gm99]

http://www.crash.net/news_view~cid~6~id~155570.htm

I'm lost for words - Norick was one of the reasons I started to watch motorcycle racing in the late 1990s. What a great character and exciting rider he was!

My condolences go out to his loved ones...

Hard to believe - Colin McRae three weeks ago and now Abe both die in freak accidents after having survived their racing careers...

[jonny hurlock]

RIP Norick Abe, will miss you,

[patnicholls]

This is tragic news.

Norick was one of the top guys when I started watching MotoGP in 2000 aboard the Antena 3 D'Antin Yamaha, on his day an outstanding racer and always good at making up for iffy qualifying.

He was also one of the most flamboyant characters in the pitlane, with some truly extravagent haircuts under his helmet.

Will be sadly missed. My thoughts are with his loved ones and all at Yamaha.

Pat

[tha_jackal]

RIP Norifumi.. Really sad news and a shame that an 'illegal u-turn' from a truck brought about his end..

Was a freakishly great and even crazy rider to watch in full flight..

Will be sorely missed.. :(

[NinjaMaster]

I know that riding motorcycles is dangerous but you never expect someone so high profile as Norick Abe to become a statistic. He was certainly a standout character in the GP paddock. Truly horrible news and my thoughts and condolences to his family and friends.

R.I.P. Norick. I can't quite believe this sad news.

[leopard]

It's sometimes not enough rides carefully while others carelessly.

A deep condolences to the long haircut Superman Abe, the sweetest season of the career was Yamaha d'antin. ;(

[racer69]

Very sad news, what a star he was, especially when he first burst onto the scene in the 1994 Japanese GP.

Very similiar circumstances to the accident that ended Mike Hailwood's life as well :(

[osg]

:( :( :( Norifumi........... so very sad. Crazy rider, crazy moves on track..... what an absolute entertainer.

RIP and condolences to the Abe family.

[JETFX...]

Very sad.... condolences to family and friends.
Definetely one of the most talented and exciting riders out of Japan to watch.

[Wim_Impreza]

Very bad news. R.I.P. Norick.

He was a good and very talented racer.

[Daniel]

That sucks.......

[AJP]

R.I.P. Norick Abe..

what a shame.

[tha_jackal]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k47cXVL-iok

nice to see where it all began for norifumi..

[ChrisS]

Just checked my emails and the first email was from Yamaha racing titled "About the Passing Away of Norifumi (Norick) Abe" I was totally shocked.

R.I.P. Norick :(

[ozrevhead]

I cant believe it either :(

RIP Nori :(

[tinchote]

Unbelievable. It's always sad when anyone dies, but that a professional moto rider dies in a street accident is incredible :s

[FIA]

R.I.P Nori

[MrJan]

It's weird how so many great motorsport stars die away from competition. McRae, Possum Bourne, Richard Burns, now Abe. So sad that great sportsmen such as these guys die so young and unexpectedley. R.I.P.