Mario’s Fast Laps

Phillip Island – Monday 26^th January, 2004

A huge, heartfelt thankyou from myself, Mario’s family and friends to Danny Torbosky and Sue at the Australian Superbike School who made this final day exactly the day Mario would have wanted; to Mario’s mate Peter who did a wonderful job printing the T-shirt with Mario’s picture on it for Danny to wear, and to the Australian Superbike School. I know Mario would thank them as well.

Most of us met at Berta’s (Mario’s mother) house in Rowville for a morning cuppa. Then those of us on bikes (eight, including Andrew Symes, a close friend of Mario’s) rode down to San Remo where we joined up with those who drove down. Ken Wright met us there on his bike. We then all rode to the track and signed in as spectators and met up with a lot of other people down there to see Mario’s fast laps. I must apologise, I don’t know a lot of the names, but it was a large turnout of both family and friends.

Mario had been a keen (and outstanding in his improvement) student at the Superbike School. One of his instructors, Danny Torbosky, kindly offered to do a few laps of the track with Mario’s ashes. Being a school day rather than a ride day did mean a few concessions so, unfortunately, we weren’t able to take Berta around the track on a bike. However, I did take her down to the ferry later, giving her her first pillion ride, something which Mario would have been proud of. Back to the track ride……

It had been Mario’s goal to break the 2 minute lap, something he was close to achieving. I mentioned this to Mario’s brother, Christian. On speaking to the instructor later I asked if he broke the 2 minute mark – to which he replied he was in the 1 minute forties. I was later told he took 1 minute 45 seconds and was clocked at over 260kmh: Danny gave it his all for Mario, in both heart and speed. After an amazing three laps of the track, the chequered flag was waved as he crossed the finish line. Words cannot thank you enough Danny for all you did.

After assembling for some group photos, some people left for home, while most went back to a house near the track for a BBQ. I took the opportunity to give pillion rides to Mario’s two sons, Jack and Brody, to two of Christian’s sons, Dillon and Corey, Miguel who is the son of Mario’s cousin Victor, and another little girl whose name I’m not sure of, but I do know I was relieved to find her still hanging on when I returned as she was so light and tiny I didn’t know if she was still on the bike.

Berta (a brilliant pillion and now a seasoned bikie chick!) bravely rode on the back of my bike down to the pier where a boat had been chartered for 4pm to take us out on the water for the releasing of the ashes. Due to number restrictions on the boat, it was family and closest friends aboard. The seas were incredibly rough (standing up, let alone walking was a challenge!) so there was a slight change of course. Basically we headed out from the pier and looped around to the left where the boat pulled up and drifted for awhile.

The ashes were passed around for those who wished one last kiss. Then Berta and Christian released them into the water to a chorus of good-byes and “Ciao Chicco”, along with a shower of petals and flowers which drifted with the ashes across the top of the water in a line toward the sun.

It was an incredibly emotional day, but it was Mario’s wish that should he pass on, his ashes were to released into the ocean down at Phillip Island. We know he would have absolutely loved those flying laps at the track.

From the pier, most of us headed back to the house where Mario’s Aunty Norma also became a seasoned bikie chick, and a raincheck given to Cynthia (cousin Norma’s daughter) so I’d have enough energy to ride home. Andrew kindly rode home with me, by which time it was after 9pm. I think the cars were probably still stuck in the Australia Day traffic.

Again, thank you so much Danny and Sue. Thanks also to so many others who helped put this day together including Norma for organising the ferry, Andrew for his many calls regarding the track, and Christian who worked tirelessly in making sure everything was done the way Mario would have wanted. Mario would have been so proud.

I thank Mario’s family for taking me into their hearts. He will always live on in mine.

Di Welsford