Norick Abe dies in road accident.

Crash.Net, October, 2007

Abe is reported to have collided with a truck, while riding a motorcycle near the city of Kawasaki, after it made an 'illegal' U-turn in front of him.

Abe was one of Japan's most celebrated racing heroes, having burst on the scene by battling for victory as a Honda wild-card in the 1994 500cc Japanese Grand Prix. Abe fell three corners from the finish, but had done enough to earn a full time ride with Kenny Roberts' factory Yamaha team for the following season.

The 19-year-old took his first 500GP podium at Suzuka in 1995, but it was at Suzuka '96 that Abe etched his name firmly in the record books - by becoming the first home rider to win the 500cc Japanese GP, and turning him into a national hero overnight.

"I can remember everything about that race," recalled Abe, speaking in 2005. "It was ...