Thermahelm meeting with SBK Superbike in Imola, Italy, Sep 2011
Welcome to Imola!
We were invited to the WK Superbike organized by SBK. The motor race took place on a circuit with a historical reputation - Enzo & Dino Ferrari. This is where Ayrton Senna, a famous Formula 1 pilot, passed away after a crash in ‘94.
This was the very first time we have attended such a unique event. We felt like kids in a candy shop. It was so weird to be there. Everything around us was surreal. Our senses were awakened for a great show.
It is not only about the bike race. It is all about emotions and adrenaline.
Yes, SBK is not to be compared to Motor GP. Here, pilots ride ‘normal hyper sport bikes you and I can buy. SBK organizes races for passionate motor riders, enabling people to get close to the event.
We were not normal visitors like the other 70,000 rushing to the circuit to get the best spot. No, we were VIP’s! Indeed, we felt like VIP’s. The SBK organization did everything they possibly could to make us feel unique, part of their family.
SBK is not just an organization; they are committed people who have a real passion for motor sport. We feel that passion too.
We came especially to Imola in order to meet with Paolo Alberto Flammini, co-Founder and President of SBK. He invited us to meet with him to talk about our unique product, the HALO Motorcycle Helmet. The purpose of our meeting was also to talk about a possible partnership in term of sponsoring.
During a typical Italian lunch, we talked to Paolo Alberto Flammini about our concept and the possibilities we see with SBK. His enthusiasm was real. He sees in our HALO Motorcycle Helmet not only a great and innovative product. He sees a complete breakthrough in motorcycling safety.
Indeed, we have a common mission that is to awaken people’s awareness about riding a bike safely.
We not only came for the great Italian food. We were there to watch, smell, hear & touch what the SBK is. We were assigned two SBK managers, Edoardo and Nigel, who were our guides during the weekend. They are true masters in the way they pamper their guests.
Before going anywhere, we were given badges and a key cord. These were not just normal badges. We had just been given badges to access the VIP hospitality lounge, the paddock, the pit-lane and finally the grid.
We walked through the crowd. It smelt of summer; the temperature was rising up to nearly 30 degrees Celsius. There were so many things to be seen that our eyes got tired. We were exited by what we witnessed. We pinched ourselves as we realized we are part of a great and unique event.
We saw many photographers with mammoth lenses; we saw huge motorcycle teams van/buses. We saw numerous glamorous ladies, walking with slinky suits and umbrellas. We were right in the middle of a catwalk…
Isn’t SBK about race bikes? Yes it is! We nearly forgot that…
We walked towards the Paddock where the teams were standing.
It is high-tech business. Mechanics put heated blankets on the tires. Isn’t it warm enough outside?
We are told one of the best WSBK riders is Carlos Checa. He rides on a Ducati 1098R for Althea Racing Team. He is on the top of the bill of the SBK 2011 championship. He is an icon in the motor sport.
We were so fortunate to have come so close to look at his bike. A few hours later, we were face to face with him on the gird. We had a few minutes to take some photographs. We were not the only people around him. Carlos Checa was surrounded by teammates, hostesses holding an umbrella to protect him from the sun, photographers, mechanics, cameramen, fans, and us!
We were lucky enough to be invited to watch the start in the tower from which the start is given. It is unbelievable that we were allowed to be there. A limited amount people have been lucky enough to be where we were. It feels great!
1 minute to go and the beasts were ready to be unleashed. The noise and the smell was just amazing. Off they went at incredible speed.
It was challenging to freeze Checa in the lens of our camera. He rides up to 325km/h! After 22 laps, Carlos Checa was the winner, with remaining 3 points to become World Champion.
We found ourselves walking back to the SBK VIP lounge. It is hard to describe what we just witnessed. We were so proud to be part of such an incredible event.
Chapeau to SBK and his team of committed people for the great present they have given us.
Unforgettable memories…
Emmanuel Kuehn
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