Don Wayne "Bubba" Shobert was born January 29, 1962 in Lubbock, Texas. He began his motorcycling career at the age of six years, riding a minibike. His first racing experience dates back to 1970 when he was only eight years old took part in a race at his country. In those years, his father (known dealer in beef), took it to Grand AMA (American national races) at the Houston Astrodome. Shobert between the young and the racing world was love at first sight. In an interview given a sample when it was already said, recalling that experience, he said: "I saw People like Gene Romero, Mert Lawwill and Jim Rice and I was in awe of them and their leadership. From that moment on, the motorcycle racing were the only thing on my mind: I absolutely wanted to be like them. "Beginning his career as a professional driver is dated 1980, when Bubba over 18 years. In his first season" pro ", closed four races and finished in the top ten. This series of good results at the end of the season earned him the appointment of: AMA Grand National Rookie of the Year. In the U.S., close the first championship to take part in the" title " Rookie of the year that is best newcomer of the season, it is extremely important for career advancement in the coming years debut. Shobert took his first victory in 1982, the Grand National Mile Indianapolis. A few months later said, winning the mile at Syracuse (NY). Bubba closed that season of racing on dirt in the eighth. In 1983, Shobert, now mature, was a key player in a highly edition "pull" of the AMA Grand National. In that year, the championship if they played as many as five drivers, giving the American public a season enthused. At the end of the year, Bubba boasted no less than 11 podium finishes, including three victories, and closed with the fourth place in the final. The 1984 season was the one who gave the decisive turning point in his career. He was hired by Honda that the deployment in the Grand Nationals and for the whole season has resulted in an epic duel with teammate Ricky Graham. At the end of the year, Graham was awarded the title by a single point. But what brought the biggest changes was his "incursion" in the road races, always riding the motorcycles of the house in Tokyo where they learned to highlight. On all the outstanding Formula One race of the Mid-Ohio where he led the race in his Honda, in bad weather. Despite his lack of experience in speed, as mentioned Shobert have considerable knowledge of the races on dirt and then was used to control the bike skidded and management of the low grip of the tires. He knew so well to fill his lack of experience in quel campionato guidando la moto in maniera magistrale, gestendone la potenza, controllandone le sbandate e surclassando gli avversari. Il pubblico rimase assolutamente sbalordito dinnanzi all'incredibile performance del giovane pilota texano. Egli si impose con efficacia e sicurezza su tutti i campioni affermati, veterani della serie, come: Wes Cooley e gli altri specialisti della categoria. Nel triennio successivo Bubba Shobert dominò l'AMA Grand National (su pista sterrata) vincendo consecutivamente i campionati 1985, 1986e 1987 ottenendo successi su ogni tipo di tracciato: miglio, mezzo miglio, siepi TT, short track. In totale vinse venti gare in questo lasso di tempo. A queste affermazioni sugli sterrati fece seguire anche ottime prestazioni nell'ambito races on the track, alternating with ease the various disciplines in the past only as a phenomenon the likes of Kenny Roberts had been able to do. In 1986 and in 1987 he was appointed AMA Sportsman of the year. From 1985 to 1988 and won the Championship strugglers Camel Pro speed. From 1986 he took part as well as the AMA Grand National Championship and the Camel Pro, even the AMA Superbike Championship, where he earned his first victory in 1987, cutting the line first at the Superbike race held on the route of the Laguna Seca Raceway. In 1988 came the AMA Superbike Championship. That year, the AMA Superbike Series was a duel between two pilots, an epic battle between Honda and Suzuki. This time, however, to lead the motorcycles were not Wayne Rainey and Kevin Schwantz (passed in the meantime to renew their battles in the 500 Class World Championship), but their place was taken by two young and very fast riders Texans: Bubba Shobert and Doug Polen (then two-time World Champion Superbike Champion AMA Superbike Champion and also nell'Endurance). Their was a tight battle throughout the whole season. Both drivers won three wins and several placings. Shobert was eventually won this from the direct opponent to just four points. What made the victory even more incredible is that Bubba the Texan as well as the AMA Superbike Championship, this year also took part in the AMA Grand National. Also in this championship battle to win the title throughout the season. In the end it turned in second place behind winner Scott Parker. These claims in different categories and disciplines, they made sure that the press and insiders, and rightly so, it ranked as the most versatile rider in AMA racing in the second half of 1980. In 1988 Shobert was then regarded as the biggest star in the AMA Races in time, this was seen for the worthy heir of Wayne Rainey and Kevin Schwantz. Bubba Shobert strong success in the important AMA Superbike proved so ready to follow in the footsteps six of his famous predecessors, and in 1989 became the "great leap" by taking part in the World Championships in the 500 class. The Honda's gave a NSR 500 GP. Although not part of the official team with Wayne Gardner and Mick Doohan, the House gave him, however, of good material and important support. Everything seemed to turn in favor of the promising young Texan: he entered the world of GP with the House of Tokyo (to have always been interested in riding his bike to a U.S. pilot because of the aggregate of the North American market for the sale of its production models) and had all the necessary requirements in terms of speed and talent to do well. However, after only three races, bad luck struck in a relentless this pilot. During the U.S. leg of the 1989 World Championship of Speed, held on the circuit Laguna Seca, Bubba Shobert ran into a very serious and very unusual incident at the end of GP during the lap in the pits. Kevin Magee, after crossing the finish line because he wanted to celebrate its position, greeting the audience with a burn-out, stopping in the middle of the track he quickly slip the rear tire of his motorcycle, creating a thick cloud of smoke. Shobert oncoming over 100 miles per hour did not have time to slow down and they went in that cloud. Bad luck would have it hit right in the bike sell opponent thrown off. At that point was centered in the middle of the Yamaha of Eddie Lawson, who was passed at that time. The crash was scary and Bubba Shobert underwent serious head injuries. After a long rehabilitation period, recovered the accident but in fact they broke the career as the Texan never returned to racing. In 1991 he married his girlfriend, Tara Summers, who bore him two sons. After the incident was still competitive environment, includes the manager role for some teams, especially in the AMA 250 Grand Prix. In 1997 he moved back to Lubbock (his hometown) in Texas, where he began to manage the family business tied to the meat trade (which he is still working on activities). Shobert was inserted into the Hall of Fame of the American motorcycle in 1998. Join more sensitive to the various commemorations motorcycle the "old glories", spread to the States, to the delight of his many fans who have never forgotten. Don Wayne "Bubba" Shobert is therefore unfortunate that another driver might have been an integral part of the legendary American Wave but instead because of a bad accident saw his promising career fade away. Unfortunately, in the international arena has not had the opportunity to demonstrate the immense value and class of crystalline in the country have instead made it famous. His character Gascon has stuck in people's memories of the paddock. Memorable were the party complete with a barbecue (and could not be otherwise ..) that the family Shobert was used to organize the race weekend, which attended by all pilots and professionals!
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