Published in Superbike Magazine Feb. 2000
Amid rumour and hype, Chris Walker spent the last three months looking for a WSB or GP ride for 2000. Instead he’s back in the UK on a Suzuki. Suzi asks what happened between then and now and just how good is the deal with his new team?Basically, three months ago I got a phone call out of the blue saying "Chris, are you interested in going GP racing? There’s a chance we can get you a ride with Erv Kanemoto riding 500 Hondas." So there wasn’t much to think about really!
Who called you?
A guy called Martin Wilding who was put on to me by the powers that be, so obviously it was like a dream come true. I went quite a long way down the road with it, but then it ended up being the Modenas ride or nothing. Luckily I hadn’t put my eggs all in one basket, that would have been pretty daft. I’d still been talking to some British and WSB teams, as you know I also tested the Aprilia in Mugello. In fact that went well, but things slowed up there when Troy got the boot from Ducati. I mean they’d be pretty daft to employ me over Troy Corser and development-wise he’s definitely the right man for the job.
How did the offer go from Honda to Modenas?
I don’t know. It was looking great, then went from Honda through Yamaha to Suzuki to Modenas. I sat down with the Kenny Roberts Modenas team who obviously have a plan for next year, new bike, new ideas so it could have been good.
The one bad thing was that the sponsors couldn’t commit. This meant that I wasn’t in a position to sign anything. I thought that no-one else would wait around any longer and if this sponsorship fell through I would end up without a ride.
Did James Whitham give you any advice?
Well it’s a different bike to last year and Whit told me to give it a go, it was nearly there. When I tested it, I loved it. It was a real weapon, and James was really keen about the bike. But, for me it wasn’t about the bike. It was about being left in the cold.
I couldn’t afford to chance my career on sponsors.
How long can I wait?
So are you saying that if the package had been complete you would have taken it?
Yes, at that time. Now I’ve got a great deal with Suzuki. I was fortunate that Suzuki were so keen to sign me up so late really. Out of the British rides left, the one I wanted was the Suzuki. The four cylinder suits me, plus they’re the only four cylinder team in England who get full factory support and a factory bike.
Why are you smirking like a Cheshire cat?
They’ve offered me a ride in WSB in 2001 if I win the British Championship, plus I’ll be testing with the GP Team during next season.
Do you have faith in that?
Well... I have it in writing that is what I have been promised. If I come up with the goods, so will Suzuki. They have a good choice of rides so I can build my career with them. Were you disappointed that Kawasaki couldn’t offer you this?Well, I stayed with Kawasaki this year because I thought I’d get into World Superbikes – if I did the business. At the end of the day I got good results in the British WSB rounds, good results in the Superpoles and the races. You’d have thought they’d have helped me get into the World Series. I suppose their hands were tied because Gregorio (Lavilla) was staying on. Obviously Akira was too, so there was no room for me.
Steve Hislop was sacked for slating the Kawasaki bike, but what did you think to it?
I loved riding the bike, it was a good bike for me. It really suited the way I rode. You could get away with a lot because it was so forgiving. It wasn’t the fastest bike out there and everyone knew it, but it was a good race package. I could ride hard and push it to the limit, the bike let me get away with that.
The problem is, I don’t think that the Kawasaki for next year will be any better. The Suzuki with all the support is a far better option.
Some people are saying that the Championship will only
be won on a Ducati!
Well obviously a Duke won this year and that was rated as the best bike out there. I fought Bayliss to the last round so maybe if it was as hot as everyone says, it shouldn’t have been such a battle.
After all the talk, did you feel disappointed to not be in a World Championship?
It’s not such a big thing. As time went on I became more sceptical, as you do. I’ve raced for five years and people come along with their promises and they fall through, so it’s best to never get your hopes up. The GP thing didn’t fall through, we just ran out of time.
So victory is needed!
I’m desperate not to finish second again in the British Championship, I want World Superbikes for 2001! I’m putting the pressure on myself but I’m really excited. The team is really going for it. We’ll have 2000 model bikes with full support and a plan for the future so I’m chuffed. The competition will be as tough as ever but we’ll see. I’m also fortunate to be popular with the spectators in the UK so riding here is special to me. I’ve acquired a good following; when you hear people shouting you on, it makes a massive difference – I go faster!
Why do you think you are so popular?
I’ve absolutely no idea, maybe you can tell me! My mechanics call me, ‘Chris Walker – The housewives favourite!’
Oh here we go. You’ve a reputation for being a good time guy, how do you see yourself?
Short and shabby; I look like Bugsy Malone when I’m in a suit, minus the violin case. But seriously, I’m doing my dream job. Only five years ago I was a mechanic in a bike shop, so I know how lucky I am. I work hard because I know how many people would love to do this job. This is why I make sure I have a good time. I don’t think anyone has more fun on a bike than I do. The more fun I have the faster I go.
Your team mate is John Crawford, how do you
get on with him?
Well, I’m glad it’s John, at least he’s no taller than me! That’s why I liked Iain MacPherson, I could see over him! I’ve always had great team mates, they’ve all been brilliant.
You have a laugh, but you seem professional too.
I think Niall (Mackenzie) taught me a lot of stuff about being professional – don’t piss up the side of race trucks, that sort of thing. No, actually Niall was brilliant. He always looked out for me and was never short of help or technical advice. I think he has so much ability within himself, that he wasn’t secretive at all. That’s pretty special.
If you could go back in time would you change anything?
I’d go into road racing earlier.
How old are you? The truth!
I’m 27, but everyone thinks I’m 50 because I started racing so late! When my motorcross sponsorship fell through I had to buy my own bike so I was faced with a dilemma; motorcross or road bike? I decided on the Suzuki RGV250, it was cheaper than a MX bike! I got my licence and went to Mallory. It was such a laugh, I couldn’t believe it. Then I went to the Yamaha Race School at Cadwell and Mick Corrigan put on my form ‘This lad must start racing now.’ My very first race was the next day and I won, then I was hooked.
Do you ride on the road?
Yes, I’ve got a BSA of all things. I saw a photo of my dad with a quiff, riding his BSA and with socks rolled over his boots and I thought he looked pretty damn cool. So I don’t have the quiff but I have got the bike!
How do you train?
I try to do something different each day, swimming, mountain biking, motorcross. It makes the whole fitness thing more interesting.
Do you get bored easily?
I’ve the attention span of a three-year-old, I’m terrible.
What about women?
I love long hair and a nice pert bum.
Oh yes and I seem to remember that your bum pinching technique was pretty special in Mugello!
Well, it was the no-pants thing, I couldn’t help myself Suzi, plus being in Italy, I thought I could get away with it! I also love nice skin. God, I sound like Niall Mackenzie! Shall I tell you what I hate though in women? Smoking fags and hairy arms. Quite hideous the both of them.
So who’s your fantasy chick?
I love Danni Minogue. Everything a girl should be.
What item of clothing do you sleep in?
Boxer shorts. In case I get burgled in the middle of the night. Imagine trying to be all tough and macho if you were naked. Not that I’ve got anything to hide, of course.
Okay, if you could be a superhero who would you be?
Well not Superman. I once asked my young niece if she thought superman was the best and she said ‘don’t be stupid, he wears his pants on the outside.’ So I would choose Indiana Jones. Witty, adventurous and cool. Who’d want to be Spiderman or Batman anyway, none of them seem to ever get their leg over.
If you won the lottery what would you spend it on?
I’d buy a WSB Team and ride in it myself. And I would buy a yacht and visit Italy to eat pizza and pasta. That Italian thing does it for me. One of the brolly girls speaks Italian. Chance would be a fine thing...
What bugs you?
My mobile phone cutting off midway through a conversation. It costs me about one phone a week from smashing the bloody things into pieces. Drives me mad they do.
Does anything annoy you about the bike world?
Yes, the bikes, I think they’re all too dangerous and they need banning!
quickfire questions
Favourite Films?
Indiana Jones, Face Off, The Rock.
Favourite Drinks?
White wine, Becks beer, Coke
Favourite Actress?
Sharon Stone
Favourite Actor?
George Formby in No Limits
Favourite Holiday?
Yachting round Florida Keys
Favourite Shop?
Halfords
Favourite Pastimes?
Bum pinching