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Rick Broadbent
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Book
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Publisher | Bantam | ||
ISBN | 978-059306263 | ||
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Reviewer
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Vicky
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Synopsis
"Ring of Fire" is an insider's account of the acclaim, heroism and pressures of being a MotoGP racer. This is a world where manufacturers invest millions, and where a rider will emerge from a coma with shattered legs and bloody lungs to get back on his bike to save his job. This is the first book to cover the whole of the MotoGP era, at the centre of which is Valentino Rossi. "Ring of Fire" charts his rise, fall and rebirth, detailing the darker side to his rivalries with Max Biaggi and Sete Gibernau and his battles with the tax man and the media. This is a warts-and-all portrait with tales of vandalised cars and the racer who wants to torch 'the whole goddamn valley'. It is a breathless behind-the-scenes look at what makes these riders tick, from double World Superbike champion James Toseland to warring Spanish starlets Jorge Lorenzo and Dani Pedrosa. Rick Broadbent looks back at the sport's tradition of reprobates and debauchery. He introduces us, not just to the stars, but also to the officials, parents, doctors, team owners and fans who make up this white-knuckle sport. By turns funny, sad, shocking and uplifting, "Ring of Fire" brings us face to face with all those who are bonded by a shared love of risking it all at 200mph.
Review
'Ring of Fire' by Rick Broadbent is also the title of a Johnny Cash song - a man who definitely lived a very full life with all it gave him!
Rick Broadbent has written an extra-ordinary book - marrying both the new - Valentino Rossi and the old - his hero Mike Hailwood, in this story of MotoGP the international motorbike racing sport, and the people who take part in it. It didn't matter whether it was about the racers, parents, friends, the psychology or rivalry, or even the factories who provide the money, all were given equal space. It made for incredible reading; and having been down to Brands Hatch with Naomi, my autistic daughter, to watch the British Super Bike races, and experienced the smell, the vibrations of the bikes and the excitment in the air - it well and truly sweeps you along. It's a pity that tv can't convey the vibrations and the smell of the event, but Rick Broadbent's book does an excellent job on this one with his writing.
Rick's ability to sweep you along at speeds of 200 mph leaves you quite breathless - I'm not surprised his book is up for the best sports book award.
It is interesting to see how mellow the Mike Hailwood chapters are in comparison to the Valention Rossi ones, and I like that - the light and shade of it all.
What totally surpised me was the fact that English teenager, Bradley Smith was sent to the Barcelona MotoGP Academy at the age of 15 years old. It's no wonder that at the age of 18 he won the Qatar leg of the 2009 MotoGP race by a full 14 seconds! But spare a thought for the other young English racer - Chaz Davies who has battled to get the right kind of support, which only a move to America brought it about!
I more than highly recommend this book - a very satisfying and enthralling read - which tells it as it is.
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