Protyre News
Motocross Legend in Exeter
By Gareth Vrac
Dave Thorpe, four-time World Champion and one of the UK’s top coaches popped into our Protyre Exeter Centre last week for a set of quality Bridgestone tyres. To Area Manager (and bike enthusisat!) Matthew Rowland (pictured next to David) he was a 'real joy to have in centre. Enthusiastic and friendly'.
David Thorpe has always been a sports enthusiast. With a promising career in both motocross and football at one stage he was even offered a contract with the Queen's Park Rangers before opting to go into motocross.
After a successful early career for the UK Kawasaki team, Thorpe switched to the Honda factory racing team in 1983. He emerged as a regular Grand Prix winner and took his first world title in 1985 and retained it into 1986.
A series of injuries prevented Thorpe from making a title challenge in 1987 and 1988, however, Thorpe won his third title in 1989 following a thrilling season.
He retired from professional motocross in 1993 at the age of 31.
After his competitive career, David served as manager of the British Motocross des Nations team, which included a 1994 British team victory. The victory marked the first time a British team had won the event since 1967 and broke a 13-year American winning streak at the Motocross des Nations.
Afterwards, David concentrated on team management, running the UK based CAT Honda team during the late 1990s. In recent years, David has returned to motocross, although he now competes for fun in his local regional championship with great success.
In 2007 he competed in the FIM Veterans Motocross World Cup in the senior class and won the overall victory at both rounds giving him his fourth world title.
David Thorpe is the creator and General Manager for the David Thorple Honda Off-Road Centre. He is a dedicated asset to the sport and will often be on site to impart his own knowledge with hands on, day-to-day management.
