GARRY MC COY KAWASAKI RACING TEAM #8

Class:MotoGP
Number: 8
Team: Kawasaki Racing Team
Bike: Kawasaki
Date of Birth: April 18th, 1972 in Sydney
Residence: Andorra
Married Status: Single/girlfriend Gemma Voces
Height/Weight: 170 cm/57 KG
Hobbies: Jetski, Supermotard and Moto Cross, Working on bikes
Favourite Food: Pasta
Favourite Drink: Red Bull
Cars: Holden Monaro, Ferrari 348 TB
First road race: 1992
First win: 1992, 250 cc sports production
Favourite circuit: Valencia
Career highlight: Winning the season-opening MotoGP race of the 2000 season in Welkom, South Africa
Likes: Starwars
Dislikes: Having to get up early in the morning
Idols: Wayne Rainey
Greatest dream: Winning the MotoGP world championship

After being named as Simon Crafar’s surprise replacement in the Yamaha Red Bull team in 1999, Garry McCoy’s adaptation to top class racing was incredible. Having spent seven years in 125 and winning just two Grand Prix, the Australian briefly rode a 500 Honda V2 before moving to Yamaha and he became the revelation of the 2000 season when he won the first race of the season in South Africa. His unique sliding style surprised opponents and delighted spectators, but after taking three victories in 2000, McCoy was hampered by injuries and bad luck over the next two seasons. The Australian will be hoping to make the same impact with Kawasaki in 2003 that he made with Yamaha in 2000 after opting for a fresh start with the Ninja ZX-RR.
Garry McCoy

.: Career Highlights :.
1989 - 1991 Speedway races
1992 First road race, Suzuki RGV 250 sport production; First GP replacing an injured rider, Rotax 125
1993 First full Grand Prix season, Aprillia 125, 19th overall
1994 First GP podium, 3rd in Eastern Creek, Australia, Aprillia 125; 13th overall
1995 First race win, Shah Alam, Malaysia, on Honda 125; 22nd overall
1996 1st place in Eastern Creek, Australia, on Aprillia 125; 12th overall
1997 First Pole Position, Paul Ricard, France, Aprillia 125; 7th overall
1998 MotoGP on Honda NSR 500 V, 17th overall; 2nd in privateer cup
1999 MotoGP on Yamaha YZR 500; 14th overall; First podium 500 cc, 3rd Valencia, Spain
2000 MotoGP on Yamaha YZR 500; 5th overall, 1st in Welkom, South Africa, 1st in Estoril, Portugal,
1st in Valencia, Spain, 3x 3rd place
2001 MotoGP on Yamaha YZR 500, 12th overall, 2nd in Suzuka, Japan, 3rd in Estoril, Portugal, 3rd in
Sepang, Malaysia
2002 MotoGP on Yamaha YZR 500, 19th overall
2003 MotoGP on Kawasaki Ninja ZX-RR

[Modificato da offalcon 09/11/2003 10.39]

"The night before a race I tend to get to bed at around 10 o'clock and sometimes it can be tricky to get to sleep, depending on the kind of day I've had.It might have been quite stressful as obviously during practice you have a lot to think about.From important things like how the bike is running and what kind of tyres I want to use to mundine things that play on your mind.For instance I might look at my boots and think, They're a bit scruffy,shall I wear them tomorrow?. Generally though I don't have any problems sleeping.It's not like I get nervous or have butterflies in my stomach.
In the morning I usually get up at about 7:30-ish,get dressed and head out to have some breakfast. Mostly I have a bowl of museli and sometimes some scrambled eggs.When we stay in hotels they have big platters of cakes and other lovely stuff but I try to be a little bit sensible about what I eat.It is tempting though!After breakfast it's time to get ready for warm-up.It's useful to get on the bike and do a few laps with a race set-up just to make sure everything feels ok.It's not like I'm trying to put any really fast times in - just feel things out; have a look at the track.Warm-up is mainly important to see what other people are up to;what kind of tyres they have on and set-ups for the race.
After warm-up I have a chat with the team.Then it's a case of passing time before the race.On race day there aren't many opportunities to meet the fans- they're usually out watching the other races.Sometimes when I'm heading back to the hotel they'll bang on the windows of the hire car and shout,but in this stage of the day I don't really have the chance to go out and meet people.
I like to watch the other races but before you know it the 250's have almost finished and I have to start getting ready. Usually 2-3 laps before the end of the 250 race I'm doing some gentle exercises and getting kitted up - although more often than not I get too engrossed in the race and have to rush to get into my leathers!
In my garage before we hit the grid I finalise my race strategy with the team and generally have a think about how I'm going to run.Out on the grid I'm never really nervous,just focused on the job.I can honestly say I've never been nervous before a race. The next thing to consider is getting a good start because that's very important. I've only ever been caught out once and that was in my second race with the Red Bull team at Donington Park for the British GP. I let the bike fly too early and was given a 'stop and go' penalty - I don't think the team were very impressed!
A race can go very quickly when you're dicing with someone - if you're involved in a tight group the laps seem to sail by. If you're stuck on your own in a position between 2 groups though,or even front on your own leading the race,it can really drag.You're just trailing around on your own - it can be quite boring.
Sometimes I notice things around the track,like umbrellas and big flags.I remember last year,I think it was in Malaysia,there were these people with big red umbrellas and I kept thinking they were red flags.I was looking around thinking 'do I slow down or what?'
At the end of the race you do your slow down lap - or victory lap if you've won - and pull into the parc ferme. That's when the excitement kicks in when you've won - you see the looks on the crew's faces and it's really satisfying. It's quite bizarre because throughout the race you've got earplugs in and your helmet on and for 45 minutes you're in you own little world. Then all of a sudden there's all this noise and people and it's hard to take it all in. Once you're up on that podium though it feels just great.
The press conference and interviews seem to pass quickly although I don't particulary like all the media attention. I accept it as part of the job, but I'm mainly here to race, ride a bike and have fun. The media fuss can get a bit much - especially if you've won. Post-race can be very hectic but I get back to the garage as soon as I can with the team, say thank you, and we celebrate together. I also make sure I see any friends who are at the circuit and try to relax! In the evening we might go out for a few beers. I'm not a big drinker and I don't really have a favourite - the good thing about travelling so much is that you get to try lots of different things. After a meal it's usually back to the hotel and to bed after a long day!'