Nicky Gives All at Riders’ Day of Champions
Yanks a Hit at Brit Benefit
By Bruce Scholten

Fresh from his first MotoGP win at Laguna Seca, Nicky Hayden made a big impression at the 13th annual Day of Champions, on Thursday before the British MotoGP. Although it wasn’t too sunny, conditions were far drier than in Sunday’s monsoon race. The whole paddock and thousands of spectators cheerfully raised $310,000 for Riders for Health’s work in Africa.

As usual, thousands of race fans and families enjoyed watching stunt riders, extreme trials and mad Irishmen like Jeremy McWilliams, spraying them with gravel from a CBR600-powered autocross car. Everyone got autographs—not least from Team Suzuki racers Kenny Roberts Jr. (second on Sunday) and John Hopkins, who fell but remounted to finish in the points.

One very welcome visitor was Kevin Schwantz. The Texan’s hair-raising rides against Wayne Rainey and Mick Doohan in the 1990s inspired Donington officials to name one course section the Schwantz Curves. Once, Kevin’s folks were regulars at Day of Champions, running a horseshoe pitch and food stand. “They couldn’t come,” Schwantz said, before joking, “We only let them attend one race each year.”

How has Day of Champions evolved over the years? “It’s a great event and fun to take part in,” Schwantz said. “It’s a lot more relaxed than Saturday or Sunday. I like the continuity, the fact that it’s continued to build over the years, and that the money goes to helping Africa.”

Lest we forget, Schwantz was one of the first racers to accompany Mamola to Africa and suss what maintenance procedures were needed to keep health workers’ motorcycles running.

Another popular Yank was Colin Edwards, who regaled fans by describing his pre-race meditation techniques. He claims he told Brad Pitt the same story at Laguna.

Riders For Health heads Barry and Andrea Coleman say no other sport offers an event when so many fans can rub shoulders with their heroes. Many got rides in buses or sidecars driven by stars. Rock band WYSIWYG played their own tunes when not honoring Nirvana classics.

A priority for most fans are tours of the pit lane and paddock. Next year is bound to be different, because Donington owner Tom Wheatcroft plans to bulldoze some of the World War II-era fixtures and to lengthen the circuit. Every year brings a laid-back, increasingly multi-ethnic mix of racers, fans and families. It’s a pleasure to see so many kids and even babies enjoy the track.

The high point of the day was Randy Mamola’s launch of www.enduroafrica.com—a chance for U.S. riders to ride 200cc Honda dirt bikes in South Africa before turning them over to Riders nurse practitioners. That experience will cost takers a few thousand dollars, but in this way, they can do Africans a lot of good while having the adventure of a lifetime.

Just because an event is for a good cause doesn’t rule out a good time, as Nicky Hayden proved by stripping for charity. Nicky had bad luck in Sunday’s sodden British MotoGP, but he was a hit at Thursday’s Day of Champions auction. He flirted with BBC presenter Suzi Perry, who claims that she vets Nicky’s girlfriends. Nicky complained, “You better speed it up, girl, ‘cause I haven’t seen much action lately!” He also took advice from Mamola who contends that one’s tally of GP starts c orrelate with his baldness.

Soon Suzi persuaded Nicky to do the Kentucky jig that he had danced atop Laguna Seca’s podium. Next she relieved him of his jacket. Although she and Mamola let Hayden keep his phone, it wasn’t long before they sold his coat and trousers, leaving him shivering in his boxer shorts.

It was a good laugh and raised dough for Africa. Eurosport announcers Toby Moody and Julian Ryder say Nicky’s long-sought win at the USGP did not, fortunately, swell his head. He’s now seen as a MotoGP contender and--equally important--a good sport.

For information, or to donate to Riders For Health, log on to www.riders.org and www.enduroafrica.com.