Michelle Ann Duff

I knew of Mike Duff way back then, didn’t know him personally, but he was good friends with one of my best friends, Bob Williams of Windsor, Ontario. Bob bought Mike’s factory Norton Manx and owned it for several years. In 2007, both Bob and Michelle (Mike) were inducted into the Canadian Motorcycle Hall of Fame and I attended the induction ceremonies in Toronto. Wonderful evening. Had a beer with Yvon Duhamel, who was also being inducted, and his son Miguel who was a top AMA roadracer at the time. When Michelle was inducted she gave us probably twenty minutes of old racing stories. Could have listened for hours. Had a beer with Michelle afterwards. The change thing didn’t bother me at all. His/her choice to my mind. Hell of a racer.

http://motorcyclehalloffame.ca/class_of_2007.htm
 
I'm Australian - we are all homophobic. It was really funny when my step-daughter was living with a gay guy who used to hit on all her friends boy-friends. My wife told me he was gay, and when I was introduced to him, without thinking I automatically lowered my voice as I said 'hello' and shook his hand. I'd always thought that gays guys did not worry me, however at the time I thought to myself 'what a weak bastard I am'. I wouldn't like to have those gender issues, however Michelle seems to have handled it well.
 
had the pleasure of having a chat to Michelle a few years ago really awesome woman and to go what she went through takes a hell of a lot of guts thats for sure but knowing a few peeps that have gone through it its a propper life or death do or die thing an judging by her parade lap on the classic yam race team bike on the island she can still hustle a bike thats for sure
 
She gives me a real problem with her book. I identify with her mindset, and looking at the Canadian video about her, there is a strong warning there - the crashes are too big. Back when it was all happening, I didn't take too much notice of her. Reading the book, and seeing a few videos of her racing - pretty impressive, especially being competitive on the IOM against the four cylinder 350s with an AJS 7 R. I believe that video might be on the same disc as - Duke Video 'The Right Line'
 
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