insider def
There is much myth and legend surrounding Noriyuki Haga. When he rode on to the world stage in 1997, the little Japanese fellow wowed fans with his loose riding and his party animal antics. Now, nine years later, Nitro Nori’s a somewhat calmer family man, although that hasn’t diminished the adoration for the man who has the biggest cult following of them all. WORDS: PAUL TAYLOR PICTURES: GRAEME BROWN
AND
FROM JAMES DEAN to Bart Simpson, rebels have always had a place in the public’s
ILLUSTRATION :
BAS
VAN DEN
BIGGELAAR
And I just didn’t get it… Part of Haga’s mystery may be his some-
heart. In the world of professional bike
what introverted nature. Universally feared
racing Noriyuki Haga is definitely a man
by the paddock’s press corps, journalists
who likes to do things on his own terms,
everywhere have a Haga nightmare story.
becoming the cult hero of his generation.
Even though eight years in Europe have
But ask Haga for the reason why he has
given him a good understanding of both
such a huge following and the answer is
the English and Italian languages, Nori’s
short. “I don’t know,” he says with an
not exactly known for giving in-depth
embarrassed look. “But if you find out,
interviews. It’s not that he can’t speak, it’s
please tell me.”
just that Nitro Nori likes to do his talking
Like most Europeans, my first recollections of Haga came from watching him
on the track. Not that this stopped TV presenter Suzi
decimate the opposition at the start of the
Perry from building up a rapport with the
1998 Superbike World Championship.
new Japanese sensation when they first
What made Haga different was that he
met at the beginning of the 1998 season.
wasn’t just a hometown hero. While most
Like Haga, Perry, who now presents MotoGP
of his countrymen sank without a trace on
for BBC TV in Britain, was new to the
foreign soil, the Sultan of Slide, as com-
championship. After being blown away by
mentators quickly dubbed him, proved he
Nori in practice, the young presenter used
could win on any track and in all conditions.
her limited Japanese skills, gained while
In normal circumstances, riders become
working as a model in Tokyo, to attempt
heroes in their native countries. Occasionally, and only very occasionally,
20 INSIDER
GOLD & GOOSE
an interview with the young hot shot. “I think I was the first western journalist
someone will come along who, through
to face Nori,” she says. “It was in 1998,
their incredible talent and personality,
when I worked for Sky Sports. He had looked
become adored throughout the world.
so good in practice that we knew he would
Valentino Rossi is one such example, Kevin
be the man to beat. I had lived in Japan
Schwantz another. But why Haga? Grown
for a while when I was younger so felt
men around Europe, aka The Haga Louts,
confident enough to bluff my way through
would dress up in samurai outfits in tribute
a chat. We set the whole thing up before,
to the their hero and ensure Nori-chan
but effectively the interview was conducted
had the rudest welcome at the race track.
in Jap-lish and went down a storm, as8 INSIDER 21
did young Nori, who went on to take a win. I made the effort to get to know Noriyuki and I think he knew that he had a friend in me. I never found it difficult to grab a word with him, though our infamous ‘chats’ were usually short but always amusing! “He would always tell me that he was going to give 100 per cent and that he was ichi-ban (number one). For me, he has a superb style and can out-ride the best of them, thinking nothing of overtaking in places that you shouldn’t be able to, he’s scintillating and often has fans gasping in awe, that’s a 100 per cent racer! I have a lot of very fond memories of Nori and he deserves the huge following he’s gained. He’s also a lot brighter than people give him credit for, although he once described me in an article as his perfect woman… so I guess he must be a nutter after all!” Yamaha MotoGP rider Colin Edwards is
22 INSIDER
another Haga fan. His first meeting with
at and away from the circuit - although
The Haga name has been inextricably
R1 unbearable. But while both views
the Japanese was in 1996, during practice
not, he insists, on the track. “My children
linked to Yamaha thanks to his stint as the
proved to be inaccurate, the Japanese
for that year’s Suzuka Eight-hour race,
are very important to me and I suppose I
factory’s leading superbike rider between
showed a remarkable calmness, no doubt
where he was so impressed by the wild-
have grown up since I first came to Europe.
1998 and 2000. Since the R7 project ended
a mark of his recent MotoGP experiences,
riding youngster that he asked to be paired
Am I the same? Hmm, yes and no. On the
in 2000, Haga’s had a somewhat nomadic
and knuckled down to the job with remark-
with him for the race. The rest is history, as
track? Yes, I am same Nitro Nori. At home
career. Starting with Red Bull Yamaha in
able commitment. “Compared to the R7, the
they went on to win the race and spent
it is a little bit different as I now have to
2001, he struggled to adapt to the charac-
R1 is totally different. I like the R7 very
the next few years battling, either as
clean up after the babies! At the track it is
teristics of the two-stroke engine, the
much and I still think that it is ‘my bike’.
team-mates or rivals. “He’s completely
different because we take the children in
Michelin tyres and, just as importantly, the
The R1 is different: tyres, engine power,
crazy but I love him,” says Edwards. “You
the motorhome. There are many small chil-
Grand Prix paddock. After one unhappy
chassis - everything different. Now
can never count Nori out! We won the
dren in the paddock and they all play with
season, Nori returned to his beloved world
I like the R1 too, but in different way. This
1996 Suzuka Eight-Hour together, we fought
each other. It is funny. They are all different
superbikes, and Dunlop tyres, as Aprilia’s
year, every time the feeling change
for the 2000 world superbike title and we
nationalities. Akito plays with Kevin Curtain’s
sole superbike rider for a year that started
because every time new parts arrive and
were together at Aprilia in MotoGP in 2003,
Australian sons. They only speak English.
promisingly but faded. The Italian manu-
bike never the same. I always do the best I
so we’ve been bumping fairings for a few
Akito understand Japanese and Italian! But
facturer’s withdrawal from superbikes at
can and now, when the bike has quite
years now. Quite literally some times... It
they get on well and play together. The
the end of the year led to another brief
good feeling I can have fun and enjoy
sure would be good for Yamaha to take
superbike paddock is a good place for the
sojourn into MotoGP, this time as team-
riding R1 too.
the title. They deserve it for all the hard work
children and I am happy that they are
mate to Edwards on Aprilia’s wild RS Cube,
they put in over the years and what more
experiencing different cultures.”
before returning to superbike in 2004,
always want to have a good feeling with
taking a private Ducati to third in the
the bike and be fighting for the win but
championship.
even at the start of the season it did not
popular winner would there be than Nori?”
Despite his kids’ boundless energies and
Sadly for Haga’s many female fans, Nori
apparent fascination with bikes, Nori says
“In some ways it is difficult because you
is happily married to Yurie. Haga’s turbo
he won’t push them into a life of racing.
charged sons, three-year-old Akito and
“When Akito, for example, become 15
from where he left off with Yamaha in
always understood that this was a learning
two-year-old Ryota, are rarely away from
years old I not recommend riding bikes.
2000, others foretold him finding the
year for us; the first year with the R1 and
his side and have changed his outlook both
But if he want to ride then I will help.”
strain of taming the initially recalcitrant
the first for the team with superbike, so8
While some expected Haga to continue
affect my motivation. When I signed I
INSIDER 23
we did not expect immediate results. My motivation was always good because the team always listened to me and worked to get the bike how I wanted it and give me the parts I needed.” For team boss Massimo Meregalli, working with Haga was a new experience and, despite a slightly rocky start to the relationship, he has been seriously impressed with his rider’s ability. He said: “For sure Noriyuki has a very particular way of working. At the first tests it was quite unbelievNitro Nori’s still on the edge when it comes to racing, but Papa Nori (left) has grown up from the rebel of 1997
able to see our bike in the garage with the big number 41 on it and it did take us some time to learn his way of working.
Haga fans will go to all extremes to show their loyalty
Once Nori got familiar with the R1 he showed his ability to make many big changes
tyres at a higher rate than most. A double
was poor, in particular Qatar, Misano and
Haga won in Assen in September 2000. “At
Brands Hatch circuit showed that Nitro Nori
a little bit more drive than me in the first
to the bike and still be able to give accurate
DNF in Phillip Island was followed by a
Imola. The next round at Misano saw Haga
the test in Brno we made change to the
was back to his explosive best. Haga and
race, so for the second we made some quite
feedback. For example, he will not think
brief respite in Valencia, where a fourth
still struggling to find a good feeling with
geometry and suddenly the feeling is good.
world champion-to-be Troy Corser slugged it
big changes, especially making the gearing
twice about changing the suspension, gearing
and fifth was a reward for the team’s
the bike and badly affected by a lack of trac-
Compared to Suzuki and Honda we were
out at the head of the time sheets from the
lower, and this gave me better acceleration.”
and tyre all in one session, yet he can still
improved set-up, but the team’s home race
tion. Qualifying was a disaster: 21st on the
still down on engine power but because the
very first practice session. Both races were all
With the R1 finally tamed, Haga actually
go out and analyse each part individually.
at Monza confirmed that things were still
grid, but Nori-chan’s talent and sheer
feeling with the front is good we are able to
out war, with the two superbike legends
outscored eventual champion Corser over the
Always in practice he is working towards
from perfect, with Haga again outraced by
determination brought the R1 home with a
push much harder and brake much later. This
clashing fairings at almost every corner in
second half of the season, taking 183 points
the race rather than just setting one good
his team-mate and finishing ninth and 11th.
brace of sixth places.
was the difference. In qualifying I had still
front of an enthralled crowd. Corser took the
to Corser’s 179 and scoring nine podium fin-
some problems with rear traction but for
win by less than two-tenths of a second in
ishes to the Australian’s six, a record that
lap and even between races he is not afraid
There’s no doubt that the team were later
Practice for the next round at Brno
to make sometimes big changes to the set-up.
than most when it came to developing the
showed no major improvements, with Haga
race two we made a few small changes and
At first we found this a little strange but
bike, but by May it was looking like their
complaining of a lack of grip as he quali-
found solution.”
now we understand how Nori works and I
target of challenging for podiums and wins
fied 18th for the races. The doom mongers
think this has been reflected in the results.”
in the latter part of the year was way off
were sharpening the knives as he came
slimline Haga. The Japanese ace shed five
Brno also marked the debut of the new,
could’ve been bettered had Haga not been
“You can never count Nori out”
knocked off in a hairy opening race at Magny Cours. Only championship runner-up Chris Vermeulen outscored Haga in those last six
Certainly the early rounds of the 2005
target. However, Haga hit back at Silverstone,
home an improved, but still distant seventh
kilos in the break, spending more time in the
race one, before the Yamaha rider gained
rounds (198 points and eight podiums) but
campaign proved difficult as Haga adapted
one of his favourite tracks, with a front row
in the first race, before producing one of
gym and taking more care with his diet. “Of
revenge in race two, outbraking his rival on
it was Haga’s early season results that saw
to the R1. Fifth in the two-part opening
start and a third place in race two - the R1’s
the performances of his career to carve his
course, it’s important for a motorcycle racer
the final lap and forcing him into a desperate
him ultimately finish third in the standings,
Qatar race (behind team-mate Andrew Pitt)
first podium in world superbikes. It proved
way through the pack and win race two by
to be fit. I work out regularly and I am taking
manoeuvre that saw him take to the gravel. “I
162 points behind Corser.
disguised the fact that the R1 was proving
a false dawn though as the R1 still strug-
over three seconds, his first win of the sea-
care about what I eat and drink. Before when
don’t know why, but I have a real connection
difficult to ride and consuming its Pirelli
gled badly at circuits where surface grip
son and Yamaha’s first in the class since
I ate in the evening I would also drink a can
with Britain and the British people, even
then it is Yamaha Motor Europe’s racing chief
of Coca Cola, now I will drink some sparkling
though the weather is always so bad!” jokes
Laurens Klein Koerkamp. He worked with
water. I still allow myself a beer every now
Haga. “Brands Hatch was the highlight of
Haga during the rider’s first tenure with
and again, but only one. I am watching calo-
the year. I had been on holiday in Japan and
Yamaha, between 1998 and 2001, and was
ries. It is a help for me when I am riding.
before I left the team had told me that we
the man responsible for signing him up to
I can move the bike from side to side more
would have a new engine for the race.
ride the R1 in 2005. “I first met Nori in the
easy, which I notice when I am following
Unfortunately when I arrive they told me
winter of 1997,” he recalls. “He was a shy kid
riders through chicanes.“
that not all the parts were ready but still all
who didn’t say much, even in Japanese. Since
weekend Troy and I were so close together
then he’s learned his languages and, when
Haga/Yamaha partnership was back on form -
and the feeling with everything: the bike,
you know him, you discover his funny side.
but the following round at England’s famous
the tyres and the circuit was perfect. Troy had
Brno proved an exciting taster that the
24 INSIDER
If anyone within racing knows Nori-chan
“Sometimes it looks like he can be very8 INSIDER 25
Hockenheim 2000. Colin Edwards discovers that Nitro Nori never gives up as the Japanese rider goes past to take the win
rude or difficult to work with, but I’ve
hard to even stay in the slipstream, but at
manoeuvres is the icing on the cake.
found that he is just so focused on getting
every corner he would just brake later to
And talking of the title, Nori-chan is clear
results and getting a good set-up for
make up the distance - only to lose it
in his objectives for 2006. For the first
Sunday. I respect him a lot because you can
again at the next straight. Lap after lap
time he goes into a season running the
guarantee that Nori will always give 110
you could see everyone standing up as they
same bike, with the same team and the
per cent but, equally, he expects those
came into the stadium section and, on the
same tyres, a stability he hopes help him
around him to give 110 per cent too -
last lap the noise was incredible as Nori
lift the title.
that’s what you need in race team. He is
worked his way past Colin. The feeling
able to make a clear distinction between
among the team was incredible because if
the development work from this year.
work and his own time. When the race is
there was any track where he shouldn’t
More engine power is still number one
over he becomes a different man, much
have been able to win then it was there.
priority for 2006. The chassis is now very
more relaxed. “I think it’s easy to see why the fans love Nori. Probably my best memory of what
“He has a Pandora’s Box of tricks”
“I think that sums up Nori. He’s a true
“It is good to stay and take advantage of
good but we can make better still: for
racer but I don’t think anyone will ever
example this year we tried maybe four or
truly understand him. He has this wonder-
five special swingarms but still we use
ful Pandora’s Box of tricks inside that is
a standard one which has been extended
secret to all but him. He opens it during
a bit because this has the best feeling. In
races at moments and places where nobody,
every way we can make some improvement
including his competitors, expect it."
but top end power is most important.
But beneath the bravado necessary to be
“Important for me is that bike develop-
makes him so special came from Hockenheim
a world class bike racer, Haga displays the
ment is improving always. The feeling with
in 2000, when he beat Colin (Edwards) with
vulnerability that is quite possibly the
the R1 is good now and most important
an incredible move between the last two
essence of what makes him so popular. For
is to start the year with bike capable of
corners. Nori was riding the R7 and
all his devil may care attitude, Nori’s a
winning. I have won many superbike races
although it was a superb handling bike,
good guy who loves his family, wants to
and come close to the title before. This is
possibly the best ever, it didn’t have as
please his fans and is desperate to win the
still the big thing I have to achieve and
much top end power as some other bikes,
world title that has so far eluded him -
always this is my goal at the start of a
which was especially telling on the long
that he possesses the ability to pull off
year. I hope that next year is my best
Hockenheim straights. Nori was finding it
some of the most exciting overtaking
chance to win.”
AND
FROM JAMES DEAN to Bart Simpson, rebels have always had a place in the public’s
ILLUSTRATION :
BAS
VAN DEN
BIGGELAAR
And I just didn’t get it… Part of Haga’s mystery may be his some-
heart. In the world of professional bike
what introverted nature. Universally feared
racing Noriyuki Haga is definitely a man
by the paddock’s press corps, journalists
who likes to do things on his own terms,
everywhere have a Haga nightmare story.
becoming the cult hero of his generation.
Even though eight years in Europe have
But ask Haga for the reason why he has
given him a good understanding of both
such a huge following and the answer is
the English and Italian languages, Nori’s
short. “I don’t know,” he says with an
not exactly known for giving in-depth
embarrassed look. “But if you find out,
interviews. It’s not that he can’t speak, it’s
please tell me.”
just that Nitro Nori likes to do his talking
Like most Europeans, my first recollections of Haga came from watching him
on the track. Not that this stopped TV presenter Suzi
decimate the opposition at the start of the
Perry from building up a rapport with the
1998 Superbike World Championship.
new Japanese sensation when they first
What made Haga different was that he
met at the beginning of the 1998 season.
wasn’t just a hometown hero. While most
Like Haga, Perry, who now presents MotoGP
of his countrymen sank without a trace on
for BBC TV in Britain, was new to the
foreign soil, the Sultan of Slide, as com-
championship. After being blown away by
mentators quickly dubbed him, proved he
Nori in practice, the young presenter used
could win on any track and in all conditions.
her limited Japanese skills, gained while
In normal circumstances, riders become
working as a model in Tokyo, to attempt
heroes in their native countries. Occasionally, and only very occasionally,
20 INSIDER
GOLD & GOOSE
an interview with the young hot shot. “I think I was the first western journalist
someone will come along who, through
to face Nori,” she says. “It was in 1998,
their incredible talent and personality,
when I worked for Sky Sports. He had looked
become adored throughout the world.
so good in practice that we knew he would
Valentino Rossi is one such example, Kevin
be the man to beat. I had lived in Japan
Schwantz another. But why Haga? Grown
for a while when I was younger so felt
men around Europe, aka The Haga Louts,
confident enough to bluff my way through
would dress up in samurai outfits in tribute
a chat. We set the whole thing up before,
to the their hero and ensure Nori-chan
but effectively the interview was conducted
had the rudest welcome at the race track.
in Jap-lish and went down a storm, as8 INSIDER 21
did young Nori, who went on to take a win. I made the effort to get to know Noriyuki and I think he knew that he had a friend in me. I never found it difficult to grab a word with him, though our infamous ‘chats’ were usually short but always amusing! “He would always tell me that he was going to give 100 per cent and that he was ichi-ban (number one). For me, he has a superb style and can out-ride the best of them, thinking nothing of overtaking in places that you shouldn’t be able to, he’s scintillating and often has fans gasping in awe, that’s a 100 per cent racer! I have a lot of very fond memories of Nori and he deserves the huge following he’s gained. He’s also a lot brighter than people give him credit for, although he once described me in an article as his perfect woman… so I guess he must be a nutter after all!” Yamaha MotoGP rider Colin Edwards is
22 INSIDER
another Haga fan. His first meeting with
at and away from the circuit - although
The Haga name has been inextricably
R1 unbearable. But while both views
the Japanese was in 1996, during practice
not, he insists, on the track. “My children
linked to Yamaha thanks to his stint as the
proved to be inaccurate, the Japanese
for that year’s Suzuka Eight-hour race,
are very important to me and I suppose I
factory’s leading superbike rider between
showed a remarkable calmness, no doubt
where he was so impressed by the wild-
have grown up since I first came to Europe.
1998 and 2000. Since the R7 project ended
a mark of his recent MotoGP experiences,
riding youngster that he asked to be paired
Am I the same? Hmm, yes and no. On the
in 2000, Haga’s had a somewhat nomadic
and knuckled down to the job with remark-
with him for the race. The rest is history, as
track? Yes, I am same Nitro Nori. At home
career. Starting with Red Bull Yamaha in
able commitment. “Compared to the R7, the
they went on to win the race and spent
it is a little bit different as I now have to
2001, he struggled to adapt to the charac-
R1 is totally different. I like the R7 very
the next few years battling, either as
clean up after the babies! At the track it is
teristics of the two-stroke engine, the
much and I still think that it is ‘my bike’.
team-mates or rivals. “He’s completely
different because we take the children in
Michelin tyres and, just as importantly, the
The R1 is different: tyres, engine power,
crazy but I love him,” says Edwards. “You
the motorhome. There are many small chil-
Grand Prix paddock. After one unhappy
chassis - everything different. Now
can never count Nori out! We won the
dren in the paddock and they all play with
season, Nori returned to his beloved world
I like the R1 too, but in different way. This
1996 Suzuka Eight-Hour together, we fought
each other. It is funny. They are all different
superbikes, and Dunlop tyres, as Aprilia’s
year, every time the feeling change
for the 2000 world superbike title and we
nationalities. Akito plays with Kevin Curtain’s
sole superbike rider for a year that started
because every time new parts arrive and
were together at Aprilia in MotoGP in 2003,
Australian sons. They only speak English.
promisingly but faded. The Italian manu-
bike never the same. I always do the best I
so we’ve been bumping fairings for a few
Akito understand Japanese and Italian! But
facturer’s withdrawal from superbikes at
can and now, when the bike has quite
years now. Quite literally some times... It
they get on well and play together. The
the end of the year led to another brief
good feeling I can have fun and enjoy
sure would be good for Yamaha to take
superbike paddock is a good place for the
sojourn into MotoGP, this time as team-
riding R1 too.
the title. They deserve it for all the hard work
children and I am happy that they are
mate to Edwards on Aprilia’s wild RS Cube,
they put in over the years and what more
experiencing different cultures.”
before returning to superbike in 2004,
always want to have a good feeling with
taking a private Ducati to third in the
the bike and be fighting for the win but
championship.
even at the start of the season it did not
popular winner would there be than Nori?”
Despite his kids’ boundless energies and
Sadly for Haga’s many female fans, Nori
apparent fascination with bikes, Nori says
“In some ways it is difficult because you
is happily married to Yurie. Haga’s turbo
he won’t push them into a life of racing.
charged sons, three-year-old Akito and
“When Akito, for example, become 15
from where he left off with Yamaha in
always understood that this was a learning
two-year-old Ryota, are rarely away from
years old I not recommend riding bikes.
2000, others foretold him finding the
year for us; the first year with the R1 and
his side and have changed his outlook both
But if he want to ride then I will help.”
strain of taming the initially recalcitrant
the first for the team with superbike, so8
While some expected Haga to continue
affect my motivation. When I signed I
INSIDER 23
we did not expect immediate results. My motivation was always good because the team always listened to me and worked to get the bike how I wanted it and give me the parts I needed.” For team boss Massimo Meregalli, working with Haga was a new experience and, despite a slightly rocky start to the relationship, he has been seriously impressed with his rider’s ability. He said: “For sure Noriyuki has a very particular way of working. At the first tests it was quite unbelievNitro Nori’s still on the edge when it comes to racing, but Papa Nori (left) has grown up from the rebel of 1997
able to see our bike in the garage with the big number 41 on it and it did take us some time to learn his way of working.
Haga fans will go to all extremes to show their loyalty
Once Nori got familiar with the R1 he showed his ability to make many big changes
tyres at a higher rate than most. A double
was poor, in particular Qatar, Misano and
Haga won in Assen in September 2000. “At
Brands Hatch circuit showed that Nitro Nori
a little bit more drive than me in the first
to the bike and still be able to give accurate
DNF in Phillip Island was followed by a
Imola. The next round at Misano saw Haga
the test in Brno we made change to the
was back to his explosive best. Haga and
race, so for the second we made some quite
feedback. For example, he will not think
brief respite in Valencia, where a fourth
still struggling to find a good feeling with
geometry and suddenly the feeling is good.
world champion-to-be Troy Corser slugged it
big changes, especially making the gearing
twice about changing the suspension, gearing
and fifth was a reward for the team’s
the bike and badly affected by a lack of trac-
Compared to Suzuki and Honda we were
out at the head of the time sheets from the
lower, and this gave me better acceleration.”
and tyre all in one session, yet he can still
improved set-up, but the team’s home race
tion. Qualifying was a disaster: 21st on the
still down on engine power but because the
very first practice session. Both races were all
With the R1 finally tamed, Haga actually
go out and analyse each part individually.
at Monza confirmed that things were still
grid, but Nori-chan’s talent and sheer
feeling with the front is good we are able to
out war, with the two superbike legends
outscored eventual champion Corser over the
Always in practice he is working towards
from perfect, with Haga again outraced by
determination brought the R1 home with a
push much harder and brake much later. This
clashing fairings at almost every corner in
second half of the season, taking 183 points
the race rather than just setting one good
his team-mate and finishing ninth and 11th.
brace of sixth places.
was the difference. In qualifying I had still
front of an enthralled crowd. Corser took the
to Corser’s 179 and scoring nine podium fin-
some problems with rear traction but for
win by less than two-tenths of a second in
ishes to the Australian’s six, a record that
lap and even between races he is not afraid
There’s no doubt that the team were later
Practice for the next round at Brno
to make sometimes big changes to the set-up.
than most when it came to developing the
showed no major improvements, with Haga
race two we made a few small changes and
At first we found this a little strange but
bike, but by May it was looking like their
complaining of a lack of grip as he quali-
found solution.”
now we understand how Nori works and I
target of challenging for podiums and wins
fied 18th for the races. The doom mongers
think this has been reflected in the results.”
in the latter part of the year was way off
were sharpening the knives as he came
slimline Haga. The Japanese ace shed five
Brno also marked the debut of the new,
could’ve been bettered had Haga not been
“You can never count Nori out”
knocked off in a hairy opening race at Magny Cours. Only championship runner-up Chris Vermeulen outscored Haga in those last six
Certainly the early rounds of the 2005
target. However, Haga hit back at Silverstone,
home an improved, but still distant seventh
kilos in the break, spending more time in the
race one, before the Yamaha rider gained
rounds (198 points and eight podiums) but
campaign proved difficult as Haga adapted
one of his favourite tracks, with a front row
in the first race, before producing one of
gym and taking more care with his diet. “Of
revenge in race two, outbraking his rival on
it was Haga’s early season results that saw
to the R1. Fifth in the two-part opening
start and a third place in race two - the R1’s
the performances of his career to carve his
course, it’s important for a motorcycle racer
the final lap and forcing him into a desperate
him ultimately finish third in the standings,
Qatar race (behind team-mate Andrew Pitt)
first podium in world superbikes. It proved
way through the pack and win race two by
to be fit. I work out regularly and I am taking
manoeuvre that saw him take to the gravel. “I
162 points behind Corser.
disguised the fact that the R1 was proving
a false dawn though as the R1 still strug-
over three seconds, his first win of the sea-
care about what I eat and drink. Before when
don’t know why, but I have a real connection
difficult to ride and consuming its Pirelli
gled badly at circuits where surface grip
son and Yamaha’s first in the class since
I ate in the evening I would also drink a can
with Britain and the British people, even
then it is Yamaha Motor Europe’s racing chief
of Coca Cola, now I will drink some sparkling
though the weather is always so bad!” jokes
Laurens Klein Koerkamp. He worked with
water. I still allow myself a beer every now
Haga. “Brands Hatch was the highlight of
Haga during the rider’s first tenure with
and again, but only one. I am watching calo-
the year. I had been on holiday in Japan and
Yamaha, between 1998 and 2001, and was
ries. It is a help for me when I am riding.
before I left the team had told me that we
the man responsible for signing him up to
I can move the bike from side to side more
would have a new engine for the race.
ride the R1 in 2005. “I first met Nori in the
easy, which I notice when I am following
Unfortunately when I arrive they told me
winter of 1997,” he recalls. “He was a shy kid
riders through chicanes.“
that not all the parts were ready but still all
who didn’t say much, even in Japanese. Since
weekend Troy and I were so close together
then he’s learned his languages and, when
Haga/Yamaha partnership was back on form -
and the feeling with everything: the bike,
you know him, you discover his funny side.
but the following round at England’s famous
the tyres and the circuit was perfect. Troy had
Brno proved an exciting taster that the
24 INSIDER
If anyone within racing knows Nori-chan
“Sometimes it looks like he can be very8 INSIDER 25
Hockenheim 2000. Colin Edwards discovers that Nitro Nori never gives up as the Japanese rider goes past to take the win
rude or difficult to work with, but I’ve
hard to even stay in the slipstream, but at
manoeuvres is the icing on the cake.
found that he is just so focused on getting
every corner he would just brake later to
And talking of the title, Nori-chan is clear
results and getting a good set-up for
make up the distance - only to lose it
in his objectives for 2006. For the first
Sunday. I respect him a lot because you can
again at the next straight. Lap after lap
time he goes into a season running the
guarantee that Nori will always give 110
you could see everyone standing up as they
same bike, with the same team and the
per cent but, equally, he expects those
came into the stadium section and, on the
same tyres, a stability he hopes help him
around him to give 110 per cent too -
last lap the noise was incredible as Nori
lift the title.
that’s what you need in race team. He is
worked his way past Colin. The feeling
able to make a clear distinction between
among the team was incredible because if
the development work from this year.
work and his own time. When the race is
there was any track where he shouldn’t
More engine power is still number one
over he becomes a different man, much
have been able to win then it was there.
priority for 2006. The chassis is now very
more relaxed. “I think it’s easy to see why the fans love Nori. Probably my best memory of what
“He has a Pandora’s Box of tricks”
“I think that sums up Nori. He’s a true
“It is good to stay and take advantage of
good but we can make better still: for
racer but I don’t think anyone will ever
example this year we tried maybe four or
truly understand him. He has this wonder-
five special swingarms but still we use
ful Pandora’s Box of tricks inside that is
a standard one which has been extended
secret to all but him. He opens it during
a bit because this has the best feeling. In
races at moments and places where nobody,
every way we can make some improvement
including his competitors, expect it."
but top end power is most important.
But beneath the bravado necessary to be
“Important for me is that bike develop-
makes him so special came from Hockenheim
a world class bike racer, Haga displays the
ment is improving always. The feeling with
in 2000, when he beat Colin (Edwards) with
vulnerability that is quite possibly the
the R1 is good now and most important
an incredible move between the last two
essence of what makes him so popular. For
is to start the year with bike capable of
corners. Nori was riding the R7 and
all his devil may care attitude, Nori’s a
winning. I have won many superbike races
although it was a superb handling bike,
good guy who loves his family, wants to
and come close to the title before. This is
possibly the best ever, it didn’t have as
please his fans and is desperate to win the
still the big thing I have to achieve and
much top end power as some other bikes,
world title that has so far eluded him -
always this is my goal at the start of a
which was especially telling on the long
that he possesses the ability to pull off
year. I hope that next year is my best
Hockenheim straights. Nori was finding it
some of the most exciting overtaking
chance to win.”
