Published on 28 July 2017

Video: Paul Malin at Namur

Decrease Font Size Increase Font Size Font size Print Send

Former GP rider and current MXGP commentator Paul Malin visited the legendary Namur circuit and talks about his memories of the racing the event in 1990 and 1991 as a factory Kawasaki rider.

View this post on Instagram

Part 1 – MXGP of Belgium – Will post a few of these over the next few days as we get ready for Lommel. I know there is still a lot of love for this place though … here's my track preview / track walk of Namur, as it is now

A post shared by Paul Malin (@pmalin11) on Jul 27, 2017 at 1:15am PDT

View this post on Instagram

Part 2 – The Citadelle and the start area at Namur

A post shared by Paul Malin (@pmalin11) on Jul 27, 2017 at 6:11am PDT

View this post on Instagram

Part 3 – we actually jumped in to the woods and went about another 30-40 metres or so, then pulled a left and up on to the plateau behind where those kids are sat, but then next straight was a wall of noise with the fans to the left

A post shared by Paul Malin (@pmalin11) on Jul 27, 2017 at 11:21am PDT

View this post on Instagram

Part 4 – After the arch/bridge there has since been a new recreational development to the right, so a new road has been built. Back when we raced we crossed asphalt there briefly … when we dropped on to the dirt section in 1990 and before, fans could camp in this area. It was insane and added to the atmosphere

A post shared by Paul Malin (@pmalin11) on Jul 27, 2017 at 1:39pm PDT

View this post on Instagram

Part 5 – since it is linked with Part 4 – The short, sharp climb was a nightmare when it rained. Fortunately it was dry both times I rode there

A post shared by Paul Malin (@pmalin11) on Jul 27, 2017 at 1:50pm PDT

View this post on Instagram

Part 6 – After the short climb we went left. Today it is so overgrown, there was even a few homeless / forest people living in tents midway along the long straight. You forget how dark it is along there. My first visit in '90 I came around on Lap 2 Free Practice on Saturday to find @davidthorpe858689 @kurtnicoll Eric Geboers and the late, great Georges Jobé all parked! It was too dusty, and there would be no riding until it was sorted. Turns out we didn't do any more than those 2 laps that day, and the one place you need track time is Namur

A post shared by Paul Malin (@pmalin11) on Jul 28, 2017 at 12:11am PDT

View this post on Instagram

Part 7 – The end of the first high speed straight before the step-down. You can really see how overgrown it is along there now, with just a skinny cycle path to get from one end the other

A post shared by Paul Malin (@pmalin11) on Jul 28, 2017 at 12:25am PDT

View this post on Instagram

Part 8 – The step down – From the bottom it always looked less daunting or less scary than it did from the top. Again, the noise here was insane. Look at the jungle now though

A post shared by Paul Malin (@pmalin11) on Jul 28, 2017 at 5:05am PDT