I was lucky to have met Abe back in '95 at Tsukuba. I couldn't believe it. I was there to ride a twin for (my future employers) Harc-Pro. "Look, there's Abe" I squealed, all excited. Abe then walked over to out pit, bowed deeply to Honda San (Harc-Pro President). He rode an NSR250 for Harc-Pro many years ago I was told. Honda San introduced me, and we exchanged a few words. He was a really guy and was there with some relatives to watch the BOTT races.

He was just into bikes. A totally down to earth biker, like the rest of us. He was into riding scooters. Christ, he even enjoyed coming to Thailand as promo for Yamaha and cut laps with the boys on twist and go chicken-chasers.

He was motorcycle racing at it's most extreme. A top bloke off the track, but a formidable opponent on it. He will be sorely missed.