The 1999 Grand Prix motorcycle racing season was the 51st F.I.M. (Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme) Road Racing World Championship season. This race was held on 6th June, 1999 at the Mugello Racing Track in Tuscany, Italy.
In the 250 cc class category just at the beginning of the race, Loris Capirossi riding a Honda was black-flagged for crashing Marcellino Lucchi. He was further disqualified as he did not return to the pit even after being shown the flag. This was a good moment for Rossi to steal the show and he did just that.
Valentino Rossi riding the Italian made Aprilia, claimed his second world championship in the 250 cc category. Rossi who was already known for wearing different styles of helmet was wearing this helmet when he won this race.
Aldo Drudi the most famous graphic designer of helmets designed this special “Peace & Love” helmet as a tribute. The cartoon character at the back of the helmet is based on an Italian cartoon character called ‘Paparinik’. Valentino Rossi gave Drudi's design a small twist and got it named ‘Valentinik’ in which flowers can be seen coming out of the gun.
On the visor, are the words "TRIBU DEI CHIHUAHUA". Selected by Rossi these are words that are a tribute to his former school friends from Tavullia, Italy. There was a time when Rossi along with his bunch of friends use to hang around as a gang. They used to called themselves as the 'Tribu'. The word 'Chihuahua' is from Mexico where indigenous tribes also used to move in as groups.
Grab this World Champion helmet with symbolic words and meanings.
Box dimensions (in inches) : 3.5 x 3.5 x 3.5