Freddie the Bridesmaid

FREDDIE THE BRIDESMAID

Racing luck is a cliche. Sometimes it’s good and sometimes . . . consider Freddie Spencer’s first three months of 1981.

Houston. Freddie has the water-cooled CR250-based short tracker. He walks away with his heat and the engine blows its cool in the main. He has the rocket XR500 for the TT, again wins his heat and the bike breaks early in the main.

Daytona. He leads the Superbike race and the engine catches fire at the pit stop. He’s the fastest four-stroke in the 200 and the engine throws a rod.

Ascot. Sensational riding, another heat win and another broken machine before the green flag has stopped waving.

Not having a competitive mount at Sacramento may have been the best luck he’s had this year.