Saarinen Against the Odds

The story of Jarno Saarinen - 'a truly brilliant rider'. Featuring Imola 200 and Tribute to Saarinen, this two-part compilation disc is introduced by six-times World Champion Geoff Duke OBE. Within only a few months of his international race debut, Jarno Saarinen, Finnish ice-racing champion, went from obscurity to being the name on the lips of every motorcycle racing fan. In Imola 200 you can see why, as he wins both legs of the 'Daytona of Europe' riding only a 350 Yamaha against the cream of 750 superbikes - a truly awesome feat! The range of different machinery is only matched by the range of nationalities as this was the first time that America's top riders arrived in force to challenge Europe's best. Thanks to Cal Rayborn, they nearly succeeded, but the talent of Saarinen was supreme. One month after the 'Imola 200' in 1973, Jarno Saarinen and Renzo Pasolini were tragically killed during the Italian Grand Prix at Monza. The second part of this DVD, Tribute to Saarinen, gives further insight into the undisputed talent of the man who many believed would become one of the greatest ever racers. Glorious archive footage shows Saarinen at the French Grand Prix, then the Austrian and finally at Hockenheim just one week before the fatal Monza crash. Featured riders include Agostini, Read, Kanaya and Lansivouri. The film also has touching tributes from his wife Soeli, Phil Read, Rod Gould and Chas Mortrimer. This wonderful, action-packed DVD vividly portrays one of the most exciting talents ever to have graced the world of motorcycle racing. Jarno Saarinen's place in bike sport history is forever assured. "This DVD captures nicely the flavor and diversity that existed during the brief heyday of Formula 750 when many brands and nationalities on both two and four-strokes gathered under one exciting umbrella of road racing competition. "