Another Mamola on the road racing scene

American Randy Mamola has the dubious honour of being one of the best road racers never to have won a world title.

He came close so many times, finishing in the top three of the 500cc world title six times, and runner-up on four occasions: 1980-1981, 1984 and, the year that Wayne Gardner broke through, 1987.

But when you consider the quality of riders he was up against in 13 seasons of 500cc racing, Randy's record is outstanding, and included 13 victories along the way.

And, probably apart from John-Philippe Ruggia, who used to scrape his elbows on the track - yes, elbows - Randy probably had the most distinctive riding style in the paddock with his feet flapping off the pegs at serious lean angles.

The effervescent Mamola is still very much a part of the GP scene through his media commitments and scaring the life out of celebs, politicians and sporting heroes on the Ducati two-seater MotoGP bike.

And soon enough there could be another Mamola knocking on the grand prix door, Randy's son Dakota.

In 2009, the 13-year-old wil race in the Campeonato Mediteraneo de Velocidad as he really begins to crank up his road racing apprenticeship.

"It has really been over the last two years that he has taken things a lot more seriously," said Randy. "He has trained hard. For the last month Bradley (Smith) has been here in Barcelona and Dakota has had the opportunity to ride with him two or three times a week. In his first race with Emilio Alzamora's team he finished fifth yesterday, having qualified 10th."

Randy is philosophical about where his son's career will take him.

"Right now it is about having fun. If you can have fun right up to when you are 30 years old like Valentino Rossi you will have yourself a good career. It's those rough points in between which dictate whether you can keep it going."