Classic Racer takes you so close you can actually smell the Castrol R. With the world's finest archive, and an editorial team who live and breathe the sport, the only way you'll get closer will be to put on your leathers.
Tony Jefferies – who passed away in December, aged 73 – was not only a talented motorcycle racer, but also a shrewd and astute businessman. Coming from the Jefferies dynasty of bike racers, legend has it that when a youngTony set up what would become Allan Jefferies BMW in 1971, father Allan sacked him, as – being a fiercely patriotic Brit – he didn’t like the idea of running a German franchise!Thankfully they made peace and came to terms and Allan Jefferies BMW would become the biggest and longest-serving BMW dealer in the UK. Tony was born into the bike industry, following not just father Allan but grandfather Joe, who set up the original family business during the First World War. At first,Tony left school to go and work for…
Franco Uncini could have taken the easy option in life and followed his father into the family ceramics business, but Franco wanted to race… Despite the threat of being cast adrift from the family for going against their wishes, it was pretty soon evident that Franco could race. His first foray on track was aged 19 but just two seasons later he was already racing in Grands Prix as privateer rider in the 250 and 350cc. Harley-Davidson soon snapped up the youngster to ride alongside legendary four-time champ Walter Villa for 1977: the Italian would take two wins to Villa’s three, but out-point his more experienced team-mate to take 2nd overall in the 250cc standings that year. By the late 1970s, Suzuki was the powerhouse in 500cc Grand Prix racing,…
Twenty years ago, a sound was emanating from the tracks and pit lanes in Grand Prix racing that hadn’t been heard in quite some time. From the mid-1970s the two-stroke had been king, ever since Giacomo Agostini won his last 500cc world championship on the Yamaha OW-23, and this wasYamaha’s first rider and championship title in the class. From then on, the 500cc two-stroke dominated, with the last four-stroke win of that era coming at the hands of Ago (who else) on a 500cc MV Agusta at the Nürburgring. The high-pitched shriek of the two-stroke 500cc machine, in various forms, be it square-four, V-twin or V4 would rule the paddock until the early 2000s. With development of the two-stroke effectively in a cul-de-sac, and with the road-going machines largely of…
SHOME MISHTAKE SHURELY? Dear CR Classic Racer is my favourite magazine, however, while I’m not one to often make a comment on things, on page 53 there is a picture with the caption ‘Smart on the 750 Triumph Triple’. Sadly I need to educate you to the fact that this is in fact a picture of my best friend Bob Heath, and not a picture of Paul Smart. This is quite a rare picture of Bob, who worked for BSA and actually did use to the ride the 750 BSATriple. Anyway I do realise this was not an article you actually wrote but as the editor I assume it is your responsibility to check all items that are put into the magazine. I’ve had a drink with you before, have…
WHY DO YOU USE SO MANY! Dear CR Hello! Good magazine! And a Happy New Year! I’ve used so many exclamation marks here as you do seem very, very fond of them. Many of your readers appear to be older, and as such the overuse of them may quite possibly grate with them too. Will Slater The Editor says: “Well Will, we find that classic motorcycle racing is quite exciting so we sometimes use them. You say this is a ‘good magazine’ so we do hope that a few exclamation marks don’t detract from a magazine that you enjoy. Anyone else have issues with them?” STAR LETTER PRIZE Remember to keep sending in your letters. Now, more than ever, as we deal with the coronavirus situation, we want to…
MANX GRAND PRIX CHANGES The Manx Grand Prix will be scaled back from 14 days to nine, with the Classic TT event not officially being included in the event itself. The basic need has been to reduce the cost of the event and ensure marshalling cover for the Manx GP. This is following a review by both the Manx Motor Cycle Club and IOM’s Department for Enterprise.This year’s event will take place between August 21 and 29 with the 2023 event marking the centenary of the Manx Grand Prix. Of course the removal of the actual ‘Classic TT’ is a bit of a blow to us, but the organisers are quick to say that classic machinery will continue to be raced under the Manx Grand Prix banner and the modern…
