This otherwise brilliant event was irrevocably marred by the tragic passing of a well-loved rider, Marco Simoncelli. In consequence, this has been a VERY difficult event report to write. We have elected to report the event in our usual style and focus on the good times we had; with all due respect to Marco, his family and Team San Carlo Honda Gresini. We will maintain this page in black as a sign of respect.

This photo is the last photo we ever took of him, as he is preparing for the race.

Our weekend opened, as always, with a few drinks and a meet & greet Thursday evening in our respective hotels. For those who crave the incredible city life of Kuala Lumpur, we were ensconced in the lovely Hilton Doubletree; our Deluxe package put us all on the club floor of the Pan Pacific hotel at the airport - home to all but about 3 MotoGP riders and teams. We were to see most of the riders all weekend both on and off the track.  (n.b. it is our policy NOT to photograph riders outside the paddock without their express permission. )

Friday night we had one of the most stunning parties of the year with 150 guests in a long sold-out event. A sumptuous repast in the 5* Pan Pacific washed down by prodigious quantities of beer & wine (we brought a reserve barrel which got opened and drained by the night’s end...) was complemented perfectly by our surprise guest speaker of the night: COLIN EDWARDS!

Colin has a post-racing career ahead of him as a stand up comic should he choose to go that way - needless to say he was a hoot! Stories about his mis-adventures with Kenny Roberts, his take on CRT, his views on the sexual preferences of fellow riders -- the entertainment value was non stop! He also gave us a background on his new Texas Tornado Boot Camp - and we announced a joint programme offering special Boot Camp tours after the Laguna Seca MotoGP and before Indianapolis. He stayed on and anyone who cared got a photograph and autograph. See the videos!

Saturday we opened our private suite at the VIP Village.  This was probably our top hospitality unit of the year - great views in a blessedly air conditioned suite, roof top viewing, and virtually unlimited paddock access through our shared paddock

passes. Most customers got to meet the riders they wanted, and we toured many pits.  Saturday night we were privileged to offer our customers a private screening of the new movie Fastest! by renown director Mark Neale (also our guest speaker at Laguna Seca).

Sunday got off to a rocketing start.  Both the 125cc and Moto2 races were electrifying. In 125, Vinales showed how he has the moxie to be the world champion of the future. Our own Brad Binder did stunningly well, starting from 27th on the grid and going to 11th before his bike broke down and he was forced to retire.  He joined us in the suite later where we gave him the ovation he deserved for a moral victory...!  The Moto2 race was edge-of-the seat all the way with Thomas Luthi eventually pulling off a remarkable victory over Stefan Bradl; who needed to win the race to clinch the crown.

It certainly looked bad. The 60 or so minutes of trying to get any information from the Gresini team and journalists were the most difficult of my career. The news that the race had been canceled was met by a near-riot by the Malaysian fans who were not aware of the condition of Marco Simoncelli.

Still, the show must go on. Monday morning the last thing I could contemplate was going to the Valencia MotoGP in 2 weeks. I spent several hours at the pool in the company of several customers. Next to us was Valentino Rossi and his entourage, all of us just chilling out in the perfect weather and walking on eggshells.  As I was leaving, Vale caught my eye. ‘Ciao - see you in Valencia’! I responded with first over my heart: ‘Forza!’ (‘strength/courage’ in Italian).

Valentino smiled at me & waved, and I knew we would all be on for Valencia and beyond - as Marco would have wanted it.

Gordon Howell.

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