Inside story: Discover what was behind Mick Doohan’s fifth world title triumph at Phillip Island
TWENTY years after winning his fifth world title, Aussie great Mick Doohan reflects on what propelled him to that famous victory at Phillip Island in 1998, which will be remembered as one of his best.
AS Mick Doohan zoomed around the Phillip Island racetrack in October 1998, two words echoed around his helmet — stay focused. Another two might have been — don’t crash.
Doohan was piloting his Honda to what would be his fifth straight world 500cc title and for the first time it would be secured at his home Grand Prix.
“Because the championship was on the line I had to remain focused. I found that the year before — when I’d already won the championship and I had a large lead — I wasn’t really focusing as best I could to not make a mistake, but I did and crashed at turn one.’’
(Ironically, that same turn was named in Doohan’s honour the next year.)
“So that was in the back of my mind to make sure I brought it home.’’
As Phillip Island prepares again for the Australian round on October 28, Doohan, now 53, reflected on the race win 20 years ago which cemented his place among the sport’s icons and one of Australia’s greatest sportsmen.
“I’d never won the world title in Australia before,” he said.
“So to win it at home in front of friends, family and the public who had come down to see the race, I still remember today and I’ll never forget.’’
Doohan’s strategy on that afternoon was simple, as it was for many of his races. Get out in front. Get further in front. Stay there.
“I rarely look back at the races, but I believe I broke away which you want to do at Phillip Island if it’s at all possible because it’s a fast, flowing circuit,” he said.
“If you let someone coming second get close they end up slipstreaming you.
“For the first few laps I was trying to break the tail to get away so I could manage the race and bring it home.’’
But his race was almost over even before the lights went out. His factory Honda was misfiring on the warm-up lap, prompting a spark plug change on the grid.
The day was equally memorable for the runner-up, Kiwi Simon Crafar, who is now pitlane commentator for the MotoGP host broadcaster.
Crafar said he looked up to Doohan and was honoured to share the podium.
“Although I didn’t win the race that day it remains my favourite race memory,’’ Crafar said.
“I battled with many of my heroes on one of the best circuits in the world — which required that we slid sideways through turns at 200kmh.
“Then when standing on the podium in front of an absolute sea of fans that had just got exactly what they wanted and spotting the proud faces of my parents and grandparents among the crowd. Yes, it’s the best racing memory I have.’’
Doohan was aware of Crafar who had piloted his Yamaha through the field but couldn’t catch the Australian.
“Simon and I remain friends today and he was certainly a good racer,’’ Doohan said.
Crafar had earlier won the British GP, his sole premier-class triumph, at Donington, ahead of Doohan.
“To stand on the podium at the British GP above Mick is what gives all the value to my only win,’’ he said.
“If he wasn’t on the podium with me that day my win would have only half the value.’’
Doohan’s famous fifth title is remembered for the iconic image of him saluting the island crowd, helmet resting on the tank of his Honda and Australian flag over his shoulder.
The year before was his best, statistically at least — 12 wins and two second placings from 15 races. The crash and retirement at Phillip Island was the only blemish on a stellar season.
By the following May, Doohan crashed in the wet during qualifying for the Spanish GP at Jerez. He broke his leg in several places, surgery was followed by complications and at one stage losing the limb was a real possibility.
He retired a champion.
FOOTNOTE: On that day in 1998, a 19-year-old “wild child” by the name of Valentino Rossi won the Australian 250cc race on an Aprilia.
Originally published as Inside story: Discover what was behind Mick Doohan’s fifth world title triumph at Phillip Island