Natural talent
In the UK, as far back as 1978, rumours spread about a young kid called Freddie Spencer, by 1980 we all knew who he was and had seen a portent of his future. Born in 1961, he began dirt track racing at the age of 6 and road racing just 5 years later. By the age of 16 he had won every class of racing in the AMA calendar and was hungry for more. He patiently worked with Honda on the disastrous NR500 project during 1981, riding the bike well past what could have been expected of him, while becoming the only rider to win a race on it. His reward for this loyalty was a full factory ride on something altogether a bit more appropriate for the job in hand. He hit the full time GP scene in 1982 on the unlikely, yet staggeringly effective, three-cylinder two-stroke Honda, instantly making a nuisance of himself among the established names by finishing 3rd in his first GP, and taking that position in the final standings too. He won the 500cc title the next year and by 1985 he was three times a World Champion, with 27 Classic wins and with a history of blistering lap, pole and race records. Is he one of the most naturally talented riders of all time or simply the hardest working guy in the paddock?
Chris Pearson gets an insight into which and comes away with the opinion he is most likely both of those things.
CP
When you first made it big in the states how aware was you of the world scene? Was it always in the game plan to compete at GP level?
FS
Very aware, I followed Grand Prix racing since I was 11 years old. My first memories are of Kent Anderson, the 125cc world champion on a Yamaha TA125, I had a particular interest in that machine as it was the first road race bike that I had when I was 11 years old. I also remember Jarno Saarinen when he won the Daytona 200 in 1973 so the European scene was well known to me and it was always in the equation that I would race there one day.
CP
You are perhaps best known for your 250/500 double title, what did it take to win two world championships in one year on such diverse machinery. How did the end of that season feel to you personally? Did you know it was something that no one would ever be likely to achieve again?
FS
I was mentally and physically exhausted not to mention relieved that we had done it. Nobody, except a few close to the team and myself, believed we could accomplish what we did. Winning the double in ’85 was so gruelling for me as a rider having to do two of everything including full-length races on the Sunday against the best riders in the world, there was no let up in either category. Thankfully, I wrapped the 250 title up with two races left to go so that opened a bit of clear air for me to concentrate on the 500 class, I never rode the 250 again after Silverstone when 4th place in the rain was enough to take the crown. I never gave it any thought that anyone else would try and do a double after I did, but if they did I would definitely know what they were putting themselves through, and I would have been the first person to congratulate the person that ever did it. Now the rules are restricted to riding one class only, so at this current state in time we will never know.
CP
Was it hard to learn the tracks and be staggeringly fast at the same time, you always seemed to be on or very near pole at the end of qualifying even though it may have been your first visit to the circuit
FS
No, it was not hard to learn the tracks, I had always been able to learn new tracks in a short amount of time, often getting up at pole pace within the first few laps.
CP
You often mention a method you hit on way back to be faster than the next guy and learn tracks, can you touch on this?
FS
Yes, simplify the whole thing and have a consistent approach throughout. Have a game plan from the first lap of practice and stick to it, I also reversed corners, think exit first, by not emphasising getting into the corner as most do, I always think “how do I need to get out of this one”.
CP
In the UK you have dropped off the radar to some extent and we don’t really know what you get up to in recent times, how much time does racing take up and what, if any, is your continued involvement with the sport.
FS
For several years now I have been a consultant to the American Honda AMA Superbike team, I do promotional work for American Honda and I also am a presenter on Speed channel for the AMA road race series, which is aired in the UK.
CP
Was it hard to finally hang up your boots in a competitive manner, when was the point when you knew this would be inevitable.
FS
No, it was not hard. My last year of racing was the AMA Superbike series in 1995 but as I look back to 1985 I could have just quit it all then. The physical wear and tear that the sport puts your body through is enough to make you say “ok I am done”.
CP
Just how crazy was the Superbike days? It certainly looked to be out there from the sane side of the fence
FS
The bikes back then were unstable and power was unpredictable. The power band we had to play with was around 1500rpm at best, while the chassis were like hinges in the middle of the frame. I had to learn how to be more precise with the way I rode because the bikes were not.
CP
What do you do for kicks these days?
FS
I spend much of my time on the golf course.
CP
How best would you like the world to remember you?
FS
My championships were memorable and special; I am still the youngest premier class GP winner and champion to date. Of course I would have liked to have won more championships, and most likely would have done if my body would have held up better. The year after my double I suffered a string of different illnesses, a virus during that winter left me weak, while serious arm pump throughout the 86 season and beyond was eventually diagnosed as carpal tunnel syndrome, preventing me from winning a GP ever again. I still feel very lucky to have raced at the top level and raced against, and with, some great people. Another great aspect has been the fans and supporters and to this day I have always appreciated all of the support that these people have given me.
Freddie Spencer Gallery
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