Published in Superbike Magazine Jan. 2000
Pier-Francesco Chile – Frankie to his friends – has it all. A demon on a racebike, Hollywood good looks and charisma. He’s always got a smile and is one of the straightest people you’ll meet. However at Assen last year fans were shocked when his temper frayed so badly, he lost the plot and launched into Foggy. What made such a decent bloke turn into a red-hot chilli? So I asked him...What we were playing for were very high stakes, and for me, it was the first time that I had the chance to win the World Championship.
If I could have won both races, and I was capable,
I would be closer to the No 1 plate. In the past, I had helped Carl. In 1997, Ducati asked me to help Carl win the World Champion-ship, so I did. I tried to respect their wishes and, anyway, I didn’t then have the chance to win, but last year I did.
So then Carl overtakes me very closely at very high speed and all my power and frustration came out. I felt that Carl did something strange, and I can’t play those games.
If you make some trouble with another rider, and as a result he is hurt so badly he can never come back, how do you feel? If I hurt somebody, then for sure I would feel it for the rest of my life.
You lost your friendship with Carl. How did you resolve the problem?
I went to him at Donington and explained that I didn’t want a bad atmosphere between the two of us. I said sorry, because when the incident had occurred I thought I
had lost everything and it was very hard for me.
He said that it was very hard for everybody, so maybe he also wasn’t quite himself at Assen. It was a heavy situation. Now it is fine, this year he has made a very strong World Champion, I think he won it after the first five or six races.
At the beginning of the season did you see your new Suzuki team as a risk with both a new bike and a new team?
Well, I want everyone to know, when I moved last year to Suzuki it was not because I decided to move, someone else decided for me. They didn’t want me any more at Ducati. It was the wish of just two people, 99% of the factory wanted me to stay.
Tell us what happened.
I don’t think that people in this country know the real story because someone at Ducati tried to stop the press finding out. They told everyone that it was my fault because I asked for double my contract, double money but that is just not true. I only wanted the same money as before. At the start of 1999 they told me that
I had to pay them, to ride for their team!
I thought I would finish my career with Ducati, but in one moment it was all gone and I could not accept what had happened. It was unbelievable. I cried for maybe three nights, then early at about 5 am one morning I decided to write everything down. I wrote about my contract and the situation with Ducati and how they were playing with me. Then I sent it by fax to my friend at the factory. He made copies and displayed them on all of the notice boards in the building. The two guys who fired me were angry and said “Chile, how can he have this power?” and the others answered, “because people love Chile in this factory!” Which was nice.
It sounds like more like a scene out of a film...
I could write a book, it is unbelievable. At the end of this season, they asked me back and I said no way I have already signed for Suzuki.
How did that make you feel?
Very powerful! But I have some feelings for the people at Ducati who still support me. When I do well, they want to celebrate for me, but the situation is difficult. This year when they asked me back I didn’t want to hear the details, so I said that my price is five times more than you can afford! Anyway, my only choice was to stay with Suzuki because team owner Francis Batta said, “if you leave, I will kill you!” Very Italian.
So what about the Alstare Corona Suzuki squad. Are you happy there?
Well at the start of the season I didn’t know what to do, but now I have much more than
I have asked for. I have a very good team. In 14 years, this is the first time I have felt like this. I only wish that I was 25 years old riding for these guys, I am so much happier now than before.
What made you start racing? The money?
I haven’t always had money, I started with zero! My mum helped me a little and luck was behind me. However I didn’t begin racing to make money, I wanted to beat those who had beaten my uncle who used to race in Grands Prix! Anyway then I raced in GPs, but in 1994 my team went bankrupt.
Why did that signify the end of GPs for you?
It’s funny in this world, when you are doing well. People always want you and tell you that you are the best. When my team went bankrupt and I had nothing, I needed these people to help me, but they were nowhere to be seen. I went to Gattalone Ducati in World Superbike, a very small team, but I believed in myself and started to do well. In 1996, some people from GPs asked me to come back!
In 1994, what was your impression of the Superbike Championship?
Before I tested the bike, I thought it was like a streetbike Championship, a little amateur. But after the test I realised that wasn’t the case at all. The opinion of the GP riders is that Superbike is the last chance you have. But that isn’t true. I don’t believe our Championship is less important than GPs, just younger. In GPs there is a lot of pressure, we have that too, but I find Superbike more friendly.
What do you think about the quality of GP riders at the moment?
When I was racing 500s, I never won but I was with Schwantz, Lawson, Rainey and Doohan, it was very competitive. Now Biaggi has come, Kenny is very good, but it is not at a very high level, I don’t think there is one guy who is very strong. Doohan made a difference when the others stopped, he was always a step ahead. I think Biaggi has made the right decision to move to Yamaha, they need a leader and he can do it. He has had some problems this season, maybe he will learn to relax more next year. If Valentino Rossi comes to 500s next year – who knows!
After your victory at Hockenheim this year, how important was it for you to win in dry conditions?
Very, very important. It was what I wanted before the end of the season. After Assen I thought that I had lost my chance to win in the dry. Germany was the last European race, so hopefully now, everyone will remember my win over the wintertime!
Frankie, I have to tell you that you are considered to be a sex symbol over here. Are you aware of that?
I have heard this, but I think I am more “simple” than a symbol! I get a lot of power from people, I like to meet the fans and be near them.
You have a great respect for your fans, is this why you strip half your gear off when you win?
Yes! When I win everybody wins. It’s like everyone is with me on my bike. It comes from my heart. When I won at Hockenheim, I won my dream.
What are your thoughts for next year?
I want to think race by race. I want the maximum possible from my bike, so I will also make some good physical preparations. I go to the gym, ride my mountain bike, play football etc. My wife sometimes comes with me on her bike but she says I ride too fast! But I think March is a little early to start the season, the calendar is not distributed very evenly, so we will see.
QUICKFIRE QUESTIONS
Favourite holidays? To be alone on a beach.
Favourite Roadbike? The Hayabusa I saw at Brands in Corona colours, but I only ride a scooter on the road.
Hero? If I need extra strength I think of my father.
Favourite car? Mercedes 500CL.
Scared of? Losing everything in a moment.
If you weren’t a racer? I’d be a gangster.
What irritates you? Illogical situations.
Best thing about Italy? Pasta.
What makes you laugh? Italian journalists. They make up what they want, they can be right bastards.