16 Facts About Norifumi Abe

Norifumi "Norick" Abe, or Norick Abe was a Japanese professional motorcycle road racer.

Norifumi Abe competed in the FIM Grand Prix motorcycle racing world championships from 1994 to 2004.

When he was eleven, Norifumi Abe began racing minibikes and spent his earlier career competing in motocross.

Norifumi Abe turned to road racing when he was fifteen and competed in the United States.

In 1992, Norifumi Abe was the runner up in the 250 cc category for the domestic National A championship.

In 1994, while racing in his home championship, Norifumi Abe had a chance to race at the 1994 Japanese Grand Prix as a "wild card".

Norifumi Abe shocked the field by challenging for the win until three laps from the finish before falling off.

Norifumi Abe's performance impressed Kenny Roberts's Yamaha team, and was offered two more rides that year which yielded two sixth places and earned him a full-time Grand Prix ride for the 1995 season.

Norifumi Abe took his first podium finish in 1995, and his first win and fifth overall in the championship a year later.

Norifumi Abe joined the d'Antin Antena 3 team in 1999, won at Rio de Janeiro that year, and won again at Suzuka a year later.

However, 2002 was the first year of MotoGP regulations, and Norifumi Abe did not get on well with the four-stroke machinery.

Norifumi Abe got another chance on the Tech3 Yamaha team for 2004, but was unsuccessful, and was moved to Yamaha's returning Superbike World Championship squad for 2005.

Norifumi Abe continued to race there in 2006 but failed to score a podium in both seasons.

In 2007, Norifumi Abe competed in the All Japan Superbike Championship, again on a Yamaha.

Norifumi Abe's son Maiki is a motorcycle racer who competes in All Japan Road Race Championship.

Norifumi Abe attended Yamaha VR46 Mastercamp training at Valentino Rossi's ranch in Tavullia, Italy, accompanied by his grandfather Mitsuo.