Description
Author: Paul Ritter, Hardbound, 255 Pages, ISBN: 9781937747602, 1st Edition, May 2015
A Ducati Superbike Racer's Autobiography
n this compelling personal account, Paul Ritter shares his story of racing in the formative years of AMA Superbike racing and later battling a debilitating injury to learn to ride again. Ritter shocked the racing community by winning the first championship race he entered. Campaigning Ducati twins in the early days of AMA racing, Ritter chronicles his experiences on the track with legends such as Reg Pridmore, Keith Code, Wes Cooley, and Mike Baldwin. He also recounts his experiences tuning the unique Italian motorcycles with help from Cook Neilson and Phil Schilling.
Nearly 20 years after retiring from top-level racing, Ritter was hurt in a tragic accident at a vintage race that left him without the use of his legs, I Iis story of dealing with a.tragic loss is as powerful and inspiring as his remarkable success on the racetrack.
Paul Ritter's passion for riding, racing, and life carries through his book. For anyone who loves motorcycles or appreciates a great story, Racing the Gods is an engrossing, inspirational tale. started riding motorcycles in college: His excitement - for street riding and speeding around turns led him to the track. He began club racing in 1973.
In 1977, Ritter participated in his first professional race on a Ducati owned by Dale Newton at the Sears Point AMA National Superbike race, and won. In the two years he raced with Dale Newton Ducati, Ritter recorded two AMA Superbike wins and, in 1978; finished third in points standings. In 1979, Ritter was sponsored by .San Jose BMW. After the 1979 season and a few club races in 1980, he retired from racing.
After a long hiatus, Ritter started riding again in 1996. In 1998, he participated in his first race in two decades, a vintage race in Colorado. Ritter was involved in a terrible accident that left him paralyzedfrom the chest down. It took several years to learn how to live a meaningful life from a wheelchair. He returned to work and met Dee, his wife.
Paul has continued to live a life of excitement. In 2002, he rode a motorcycle again. I le had a custom sidecar built 14 his Moto Guzzi where he can operate the motorcycle with hand controls. He continues to explore the outdoors with a front attachment for his wheelchair that allows him to ride rough terrains. In 2003, Ritter became a certified scuba diver.
Paul lives in Albany, Oregon, with his wife Dee.
