Remembering a day long ago...

Jarno Saarinen of Finland and Italy's Renzo Pasolini. Being a devout Yamaha fan forever, Jarno was a favorite. 1972 250 World Champion. Won it on a distributor backed Yamaha, (Arwidsson), doing all of his own wrenching. Even when picked up by the factory for '73, he insisted on doing much of the wrenching himself.

I recall a little story from Daytona '73, just eight weeks before his death. Riding the TZ350 against many big bore machines, during the weeks practice sessions many , cylinders were tried. Yamaha was there with basically truck loads of spares for the team, as well as privateer support.

Having a degree in Mechanical Engineering, Saarinen asked for a different set of cylinders to be fitted to the bike. Upon inspecting this first set, he wanted another. I believe he eyeballed a few sets before he saw what he liked. Those went on the bike, and he was the first European to win the 200 at Daytona, on a 350 at that.

First rider to win on the OW20 (YZ500R), Yamaha's first 500cc , four cylinder GP bike in '73.

Such a great loss, when two greats are taken in an instant.

https://youtu.be/LHa4Lf8r00w?feature=player_detailpage