Vale Ken Wootton

Revered Australian motorcycle journalist Ken 'Woose' Wootton has passed away at the age of 57 during his annual European sojourn.

His death will leave a massive void in Australian motorcycle journalism, where he has been part of the fabric for the last 25 years, mostly as the editor of the fortnightly bible, Australian Motorcycle News.

Wootton took his career as a motorcycle journalist -- which he began with a series of articles while living and working in the UK -- very seriously, and this author felt his wrath more than once when he made some clangers while working at AMCN.

Woose's attention to detail and untiring work ethic was legendary, and he never let me forget calling Spanish rider Alex Criville a Brazilian in the news section, and getting the name of the Australian Grand Prix Corporation CEO confused with a well-known photographer. And only spelling Marty Craggill with one “l” instead of two… The shame of it all.

And he never let me live down the fact that I had to sign off early from reporting on a Thumper Nats round with sunstroke – even though I just wanted to go home because I couldn’t be bothered…

And Woose knew that, because he was as shrewd as they come – but with everyone’s best interests at heart, because that’s the type of bloke he was.

In his role at AMCN and more lately at the helm of Motorcycle Trader, Woose was a massive champion of motorcycle racing, whether supporting budding stars like Troy Corser in the early 1990s or taking centre stage with commentary roles and/or MC duties at events like MotoGP, World Superbike and the Australian Superbike Championship.

And he was particularly fond of the juggernaut that the International Challenge at Phillip Island had become, with Woose working tirelessly behind the scenes to make the historic showpiece flourish. And it wasn’t for monetary gain – just the unbridled love of a sport that was his life.

And for those lucky enough to see the interview he did with Valentino Rossi at a Yamaha ‘Stars’ dinner at Phillip Island in 2008, it was pure gold. Once the motorcycle-related questioning had passed, Woose moved onto the soccer World Cup and asked Rossi why his countrymen had a propensity to stage for free kicks in front of goal against the Aussies. Rossi hit back hard, raised his voice and gesticulated wildly, but like Woose he was playing the audience to perfection.

And Woose was a shit stirrer of the highest order – he thrived on it. Why else would he invite compatriots on a ride through the snowy mountains every winter in what became known as Dumb & Dumber? A critique on the bikes became secondary, as he got more of a buzz out of people nearly dying of hypothermia and himself being threatened with legal action for failing to provide a safe workplace. Which was ironic, as he was also moonlighting as his company’s O, H & S officer...

And here’s more proof of his goofy side. The last correspondence I received from him was sent from his computer at 4:49am on Sunday, July 24 – sounds like he was pulling another computer all-nighter!

He had just left Poland, one of the last stops in a six-week European vacation, which – of course – had included a number of MotoGP and world Superbike rounds, and visits to cracker little museums he’d find off the beaten track (a few years ago he also came across none other than 15-time world champion Giacomo Agostini, wiping down his championship-winning MV Agusta three-cylinder grand prix machine at a race track in Italy).

The email was titled ‘Krak ass’ and the body read: “Saw this wandering the backstreets in Krakow. Magnificent ass, don't ya reckon...”

With great anticipation – he was the only bloke still ballsy enough to send risqué photos through his work email – I opened the attached image, and there was a bloke riding a donkey. I should have known better, as this type of schtick was his staple.

He was a tough old bastard to work for and chock full of foibles, but one of my best friends at the same time. We’re all going to miss him terribly, and Australian motorcycle journalism is the poorer for his passing. He was a font of knowledge – and cheek.

When I heard of his passing, my first port of call was to head to the pub with my best buddy Rod Chapman, another disciple of the Ken Wootton School of Journalism, and throw down a bourbon and coke -- Woose's drink of choice. Rest easy mate -- you're a star.

UPDATE: KEN WOOTTON PUBLIC MEMORIAL SERVICE

Details for the service as follows:

Date: Monday, August 15, 2011
Time: 1:30pm
Location: Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit, corporate Suite 5 on the pit roof, Back Beach Road, Phillip Island

Suite 5 is the location of the annual Island Classic dinners that Ken hosted with such good humour and enthusiasm. It’s also above the pit straight -- the scene of so many race starts that Ken called so dramatically for more than 20 years -- and overlooks the expo building where Ken worked tirelessly to promote the motorcycle industry to the general public. 

Suite 5 is also the media centre and journalist hub for the Australian MotoGP -- an appropriate place to remember Ken.

For catering purposes, please RSVP to info@phillipislandcircuit.com.au by Thursday August 11, 2011.