When Superbikes Ruled The World DVD

Great memories and some great action

This review is a short documentary of Superbikes from early Isle of Man with James Whitam and Carl Fogarty from late 80s till 1999 World Superbike.

Its a short documentary, the first part is the most interesting, if you have seen other Superbike reviews you’ll know the main story about it all.
There are some detailed interviews on the extras with James Whitam, Carl Fogarty, Frank Chilli and the commentators that you know Keith and Julian with their memorable and distinctive voices.
The real revelation is, you might think commentating for World Superbike is luxurious well according to Keith Hewan in 1999 Brands hatch it wasn’t.

With the enormous crowds of 120, 000 there was no room to move because of the toilet queues and getting food or water to their very small commentary box was impossible, well into 40 degree heat trying to commentate in a small box behind the Grand stands.

Its fair looking back that the 90s were a far more exciting and interesting time to follow World Superbike racing. Where as now and in the 2000s it slowly but surely became a sheer predictable bore.

Once Carl Fogarty failed to return because of his shoulder, Honda misguidedly dropped Aaron Slight for a younger less experience Japanese Rider, the whole thing just seemed to become dull and boring. Not to mention Simon Crafars reserved results when he filled in for Aaron in early 2000.

After 1999 World Superbike racing was never the same, and its a shame. It slowly but surely changed.
There was nothing Carl could do to fix his shoulder for racing, but I think Aaron deserved another 2-3 years more with Honda out of respect for developing the bike and making a very successful comeback from a brain operation with decent placings for the races he finished and getting 8th in the championship, with retiring from races and missing the first 3…that is a respectable placing.

James Whitam can be heard saying that they had more fun than the riders would do now, on and off the track and I agree with that, not only that but riders would take more risks racing now with passing.

The sport has become to predictable and dull and about marketing image than talent and entertainment.

Its a good memory to look back on, especially since World Superbike dropped off in its entertainment around 2000 onwards.

In 1999 I knew all the riders or top 7, now I have no idea who they are or over the last 10 years and I don’t care either!

But back then I knew, and whoever won it didn’t matter, you knew it was going to be close to watch and never boring.
How I wish it could be like that now.

A short but interesting documentary with some good footage, unfortunately only featuring 4 riders but some good stories.
One thing I noticed is Neil Hodgons seems to of calmed down a bit more now, and is not so wound up about the argument he had with Aaron back in 1998 in Japan.