Bernie32
06-12-2009, 08:52 PM
Name: Mel Gantly
Birthday: Nov 3rd
Place of Birth: Ottawa, ON
Race Bike(s): ’97 Suzuki GSX-R600
WMRC #: 723
Other numbers: n/a
Sponsors: Action Motorcycles
Years riding: 21
Years racing: best part of 3 seasons (spread out over the years…)
Why I started road racing: realized public roads weren’t really the place to push a sportbike to its limits, plus I’d always loved watching racing and wanted to give it a try myself.
My parents think… (Of me racing): cautiously supportive, but have never come to watch (Mom passed away but Dad might make it one of my races this season).
Favorite motorcycle racer: the late, great Joey Dunlop
Favorite piece of track: Turn 2
Part of the track I hate the most: Turn 3
Do you prefer Race days or Track days: race days
Funniest track moment: Missing both heat races at Round 1 chasing down what I thought was an electrical problem, only to discover too late that I was only out of gas… well, it wasn’t funny at the time, but I can laugh about it now.
Scariest track moment: Clipping another rider in Turn 1 at Pacific Raceways on first lap of a race in the rain in ’93. I thought we were both going to hit the deck but we stayed up and kept going.
Favorite food: my wife’s lasagna
I really dislike (General race wise): being slow / small budget
I think this would help at Mission: Hard to say, as I think the club has worked so hard to make the track safer each year. Hopefully we can keep adding Airfence to cover up the rest of those concrete walls.
Are you superstitious and how: No superstitions with regards to racing.
The hardest part about racing is: The money, time and work required to get to the track in the first place.
I prefer this track condition: overcast but dry
The best thing I bought was: an inexpensive track bike
The worst thing I bought was: exhaust wrap, but only because my bike turned out to be quiet enough at Mission without it.
Goal this year: complete Novice requirements and graduate to Intermediate.
Favorite piece of gear: Joe Rocket leathers and gloves
Who has helped you the most in your racing: Steve O’Toole
What do you think you bring out more spectators: Greater presence in local businesses and schools, with race bike displays and racer info sessions, etc.
What do you think would bring out more racers: same as above
If money wasn’t an issue I’d buy this bike: ’89 Honda RVF750, ’93 Ducati 888 SPO
If money wasn’t an issue I’d buy this tool: tire changer
If you could ride a Motogp track it would be: Probably Phillip Island, but my ultimate track ride would be the Isle of Man TT Mountain Course.
If I could race another class other than what I do now, it would be: 600 SS or Open Twins
About racing (My friends would say I…): My motorcycling friends say, “Good for you,” but my non-racing friends say, “I never imagined you doing something like that!”
Short Bio: Have a day job but am also a contributing writer for Cycle Canada magazine on the side. Future goals include racing at the Isle of Man and having the screenplay I’m working on get produced. Also love playing guitar (was ‘Angus’ in an AC/DC cover band back in my university days.
Birthday: Nov 3rd
Place of Birth: Ottawa, ON
Race Bike(s): ’97 Suzuki GSX-R600
WMRC #: 723
Other numbers: n/a
Sponsors: Action Motorcycles
Years riding: 21
Years racing: best part of 3 seasons (spread out over the years…)
Why I started road racing: realized public roads weren’t really the place to push a sportbike to its limits, plus I’d always loved watching racing and wanted to give it a try myself.
My parents think… (Of me racing): cautiously supportive, but have never come to watch (Mom passed away but Dad might make it one of my races this season).
Favorite motorcycle racer: the late, great Joey Dunlop
Favorite piece of track: Turn 2
Part of the track I hate the most: Turn 3
Do you prefer Race days or Track days: race days
Funniest track moment: Missing both heat races at Round 1 chasing down what I thought was an electrical problem, only to discover too late that I was only out of gas… well, it wasn’t funny at the time, but I can laugh about it now.
Scariest track moment: Clipping another rider in Turn 1 at Pacific Raceways on first lap of a race in the rain in ’93. I thought we were both going to hit the deck but we stayed up and kept going.
Favorite food: my wife’s lasagna
I really dislike (General race wise): being slow / small budget
I think this would help at Mission: Hard to say, as I think the club has worked so hard to make the track safer each year. Hopefully we can keep adding Airfence to cover up the rest of those concrete walls.
Are you superstitious and how: No superstitions with regards to racing.
The hardest part about racing is: The money, time and work required to get to the track in the first place.
I prefer this track condition: overcast but dry
The best thing I bought was: an inexpensive track bike
The worst thing I bought was: exhaust wrap, but only because my bike turned out to be quiet enough at Mission without it.
Goal this year: complete Novice requirements and graduate to Intermediate.
Favorite piece of gear: Joe Rocket leathers and gloves
Who has helped you the most in your racing: Steve O’Toole
What do you think you bring out more spectators: Greater presence in local businesses and schools, with race bike displays and racer info sessions, etc.
What do you think would bring out more racers: same as above
If money wasn’t an issue I’d buy this bike: ’89 Honda RVF750, ’93 Ducati 888 SPO
If money wasn’t an issue I’d buy this tool: tire changer
If you could ride a Motogp track it would be: Probably Phillip Island, but my ultimate track ride would be the Isle of Man TT Mountain Course.
If I could race another class other than what I do now, it would be: 600 SS or Open Twins
About racing (My friends would say I…): My motorcycling friends say, “Good for you,” but my non-racing friends say, “I never imagined you doing something like that!”
Short Bio: Have a day job but am also a contributing writer for Cycle Canada magazine on the side. Future goals include racing at the Isle of Man and having the screenplay I’m working on get produced. Also love playing guitar (was ‘Angus’ in an AC/DC cover band back in my university days.