Norifumi Abe, one of Japan’s most successful motorcycle road racers, collided with a truck while riding a motorbike in Kawasaki, and died from the resulting injuries after having been taken to hospital Sunday afternoon, the Asahi Shimbun reports. Abe was 32 years old.

Local police say the collision occurred on a two-lane municipal road, when the driver of the truck made a U-turn, colliding with Abe who was closing in on the truck from behind on the truck’s righ-hand side.

The truck driver told police he realized he had mistakenly taken the wrong way, and tried to get back on track. U-turns were prohibited on the road where the accident happened.

Abe was also known as Norrick Abe in the English-speaking world and as “the legendary rider” in Japan. He was born to the auto racer Mitsuo Abe, and sat on a bike for the first time when he was 5. After finishing elementary school, he spent two years in the United States., perfecting his skills. He won his first Grand Prix 1996, and went on to conquer twice more.

Monday, October 8, 2007 3:13 am



Norifumi "Norick" Abe in a PR shot.
Photo: (c) norickabe.com

‘Legendary rider’ Norick Abe dies in motorbike, truck collision

Norifumi “Norick” Abe, one of Japan’s most successful motorcycle road racers, collided with a truck while riding a motorbike in Kawasaki, and died from the resulting injuries after having been taken to hospital Sunday afternoon, the Asahi Shimbun reports. Abe was 32 years old.
Local police say the collision occurred on a four-lane municipal road, when the driver of the truck made a U-turn, colliding with Abe who was closing in on the truck from behind on its righ-hand side.
The truck driver told police he realized he had mistakenly taken the wrong way, and tried to get back on track. U-turns were prohibited on the road where the accident happened.
Norifumi Abe was born to the auto racer Mitsuo Abe, and sat on a bike for the first time when he was 5. After finishing elementary school, he spent two years in the United States, perfecting his skills. He won his first Grand Prix title 1996, and went on to conquer the title twice more.
Abe, who was also known as Norrick Abe in the English-speaking world and as “the legendary rider” in Japan, had many fans in Japan as well as worldwide.

Oh God, what sad news! And to go in a stupid accident!

My condolences to his family!

Brings life into perspective when you hear news like this.

It sure does.

I can't believe it

I was so shocked when I heard the news of his sad passing.
He was a scary racer to say the least....his riding style made me so nervous to watch but yet I couldn't take my eyes off him, he was a sweet man too and had a lovely smile.

He will be sadly missed

RIP

RIP Norick.
He was great to watch on and off the track. You will be missed by many

Poor Nori, what a horrible thing to happen to someone so young.

RIP

i have some confusing things to say but thought better save it for myself.

safe journey, abe....