How Much Do You Love Crash Compilations?
There’s nothing like getting entertainment out of others’ misfortune
by Harry Fisher, on LISTEN 01:31Back in the days of scarce TV coverage of racing and the modern marvel of VCR video tapes, these crash compilations were the best entertainment out there.
Best Bike Racing Crashes from the 1980s
Remember VCRs? No, not the Honda GP bikes, but those enormous boxes that sat under your TV and which regularly chewed up video tapes!
In the days before 24 hour TV and endless re-runs, the humble VCR was your ticket into a whole world of racing action, not least of which were the Havoc series of racing crash compilations.
Compiled and released by Duke Video, which was started by Peter Duke, son of six-time world champion motorcycle racer Geoff Duke, these were required watching in the ’80s and ’90s on a wet Saturday afternoon with your mates. They covered all forms of motor racing but these are a couple of clips from the bike racing series.
And don’t they make those wicked 500cc two-strokes look like hell to ride? No traction control, crappy tyres and a power band that was about 500rpm wide, with an on-off switch for a throttle.
Randy Mamola was king of the high-side in those days but Kevin Schwantz ran him a close second.
If you’re still interested, here’s a full video, showing all types of motorsport crashes and incidents.
So, sit back and relive the days of Havoc!
