And poor me lives only a couple of hours away...

[VTRgirl]

As seen in Herald Sun (vic) Cars Guide 24/08/07

Mick Doohan is rapt at the launch of theme park ride in his name, writes Stephen Ottley.

Motorcycle legend Mick Doohan has achieved what no other Aussie racing star has achieved; he has his own theme park rollercoaster.

Gold Coast theme park Dreamworld has revealed its plan to open the Mick Doohan Motocoaster next month.

The $10 million ride features two trains of replica motorcycles that will twist around the 18-turn track at 72km/h.

That's a far cry from the 300km/h Doohan raced at during his remarkable career, but he's happy that the ride will give fans a chance to experience motorcycle racing in a safe environment.

"We've tried to make it as real as we possibly can," Doohan says.

"The best thing about it is there are no ambulances on the sideline."

The ride will be the first Dreamworld has built in three years.

The timing will coincide with the build-up for the Australian MotoGP at Phillip Island in October, where Aussies Casey Stoner, Chris Vermulean and Ant West will compete.

"For the general population who don't really have the chance to hop on and experience a Motorcycle, this will be the next best thing," Doohan says of the Dreamworld ride.

It aims to be educational as well as fun. Wanna-be Doohans will learn some of the history of motorcycle racing in Australia as they wait in line for the Motocoaster.