Speed Dating: December 7 – 13

December 7

On this date in 1975, Marco Borciani (IT) was born. After getting his start in the Italian Sport Production championship in 1994, Borciani (pronounced bor-CHAHN-ee) switched to both his national championship’s 125cc class and the Honda Trophy two years later. The ’97 season saw him advance to the European Championship, and one year later he was in World Supersport. He joined World Superbike in 2000 with Team Pedercini, switched to DFX in ’03, and moved to Sterilgarda Berik in ’06 (when he won his first of two consecutive Italian titles while still campaigning SBK). In ’07, Borciani took over team manager duties but continued riding, although he has since limited his racing to his domestic series.

Happy 38th birthday to Christian Kellner (DE), who races in his domestic IDM superbike championship for SKM Racing/Shell Advance. After starting off in German 125cc racing, Kellner campaigned the World Supersport series from ’99 to 2004, with a best series finish of 4th in 2000. He has been in the IDM series since 2005, though he spent ’07 in that series’ Supersport class. Kellner also raced in two 125cc Grand Prix rounds—his home race in both ’95 and ’96—but failed to score any points.

Happy birthday to Andrew Northcott (AU), Senior Shooter for Road Racer X. Though he isn’t telling us what year he was born, Northcott is one of the top road racing photographers in the world. When he’s not traveling the MotoGP circuit, Northcott can usually be found in Sacramento, California, with his beautiful wife and three wonderful children, though he also spends a lot of time at his vacation pad in Marbella, Spain. Currently, he’s enjoying the off-season.

December 8

Happy 36th birthday to Jiri Mrkyvka (CZ), a veteran of the World Superbike series. Mrkyvka campaigned the series for eleven years between 1996 and 2006, with his best series finish of 25th, in 2004.

Happy 30th birthday to Kevin Allen (US), who works for Pirelli in Milan, Italy, as international PR and media communications manager. Allen resides in a super-cool apartment and hits a variety of races around the globe, from whence he pumps out press releases for the international media. He may just have the perfect dream job.

December 10

Happy 33rd birthday to Shane “Shakey” Byrne (UK), who most recently rode World Superbike for Sterilgarda but recently signed for Ducati Althea for the 2010 season. The 2003 and ’08 British Superbike Champion, Byrne also spent 2004 and ’05 in MotoGP, with Aprilia and Kenny Roberts’ team, respectively. Byrne showed flashes of brilliance this past season, but could only manage eighth place in the final points.

December 11

On this date in 1945, Jarno Saarinen (FI) was born. A tragic hero who many think could have been one of the best ever, Saarinen’s Grand Prix career was less than four seasons long and was spent almost entirely on Yamahas. It started (after time spent in ice racing and TK) aboard 250cc machinery in 1970, when he notched two podium finishes and finished fourth in points. The following season saw him take on the 250 and 350cc classes (plus two 50cc races, on a Kreidler!), taking a single victory in the former and finishing third and second in the points, respectively. In ’72, the Finn took the quarter-liter title and finished second on the 350s, notching a total of seven wins. He advanced to 500s the following year while continuing on 250s, and got off to an incredible start, winning the first three quarter-liter races and the first two premier-class contests (plus the Daytona 200). However, at Monza on May 20, he struck a falling Renzo Pasolini and both riders died in the fourteen-rider crash. There are differing accounts of the cause of Pasolini’s crash out of the lead, and the subject remains controversial.

December 12

On this date in 1959, Rob McElnea (UK) was born. During his seven-year Grand Prix career (all of which was spent in the premier class), McElnea had a best series finish of fifth, in 1986. He rode for Heron Suzuki, Marlboro Yamaha, Pepsi Suzuki, and Cabin Honda. Following the ’89 season, McElnea raced World Superbike for one season, finishing fifth with Loctite Yamaha and then switched to British racing, retiring in ’93 due to injury. McElnea, who also won three Isle of Man TTs, went on to manage the Virgin Mobile team in the British Superbike Series.

December 13

Happy 36th birthday to Aaron Yates (US), a veteran of AMA Pro Road Racing with national titles in an array of disparate classes: SuperTeams (’95), 750 Supersport (’96), 600 Supersport (’02), Superstock (’05 and ’08). The Georgia native is known for his aggression and for his penchant for sliding. A talented technician in his own rite, Yates sometimes takes part in amateur automobile drag racing. He has ridden for a variety of teams, most recently Jordan Suzuki.

On this date in 1939, Michael Duff (CA) was born. After beginning riding and racing at age 15, Mike headed to Europe at 20 to follow his Grand Prix dream. He stayed on the circuit from 1961 to ’67, riding brands including Matchless, AJS, MZ, and Yamaha, and scoring a best series finish of second, in the 250cc class in 1965. Duff later became a woman, changed her name to Michelle, and wrote her autobiography, The Mike Duff Story: Make Haste Slowly.